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Organize Your Strategy – Using Import/Export for Bulk Updates

This article explains how to use the Import/Export feature in ClearPoint Next to make bulk updates to your strategic elements.

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Written by Jeremy Keckler

Import/Export allows you to download your list view into Excel, update multiple records quickly, and upload the changes back into ClearPoint—saving time and reducing manual data entry.

You can use Import/Export from the list view of any element type, including Objectives, Measures, Initiatives, Milestones, and Action Items.

View interactive guide

What You Can Do With Import/Export

Import/Export is designed for fast, large-scale edits. You can:

  • Update measure series data, including values for the current reporting period

  • Update values across many elements at once

  • Edit descriptive fields (name, owner, description, etc.)

  • Add new elements in bulk

  • Align scorecard structures more efficiently

  • Make changes offline and upload when ready

Your exported Excel file mirrors your current list view, meaning:

  • The columns you have displayed

  • The filters you have applied

  • The sort order you are using

Are exactly what you’ll see in the export.

How to Export Your Element List

  1. Select Elements from the left navigation.

  2. Select the element type you want to work with (e.g., Measures).

  3. Click the Download View icon at the top of the list view.

  4. An Excel file will download containing the elements visible in your table.

💡 Your export will include special locked rows and columns used for mapping during re-import.

Understanding the Excel Template

When you open the exported file, you’ll notice:

Locked Columns (Left Side)

  • Column 1: Scorecard ID

  • Column 2: Element ID

These ensure any edits you make map correctly back to the right scorecard and element.
Do not modify these locked cells unless you're adding new rows (more on that below).

Locked Rows (Top Two Rows)

  • Row 1: Internal field mapping

  • Row 2: Displayed field names

These rows tell ClearPoint which field each column represents.
⚠️ Do not change or delete these rows.

Editable Columns

Any column without a gray background is editable.
Examples include:

  • Name

  • Owner

  • Description

  • Start and End Dates

  • Custom fields

  • Measure series values, via the Series Data view (see below)

💡 You may update as many of these values as needed.

Making Bulk Updates

You can modify any editable cell to update information for multiple elements at once.
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Examples:

  • Change the owner of 20 initiatives

  • Update measure definitions

  • Rewrite multiple analysis fields

  • Adjust due dates or statuses

💡 After making your edits, save your file and upload it back into ClearPoint.

Adding New Elements in Bulk

Import/Export is one of the fastest ways to add many new elements at once.

To add new rows:

  1. Copy the Scorecard ID and Element ID from an existing row.

    • Scorecard ID should stay the same.

    • Element ID should be blank for new elements—ClearPoint will assign one automatically.

  2. Paste into as many new rows as needed.

  3. Fill in the Name column (required).

  4. Complete any additional fields you want to set on creation.

Example of when this is useful:

  • Adding a list of 50 new measures for a new reporting framework

  • Creating next year’s projects in bulk

  • Uploading draft elements from a planning retreat

Uploading Your Updated File

  • Return to the element list view in ClearPoint.

  • Click Import.

  • Select your updated Excel file.

  • Review the preview table to confirm your changes.

  • Click Upload.

ClearPoint will validate:

  • Required fields

  • Valid scorecard and element IDs

  • Field types (dates, numbers, etc.)

💡 If errors exist, ClearPoint highlights them so you can correct and retry.

Updating Measure Data with Import/Export

Import/Export supports measure series data, including current-period values, through the Series Data view. This is a separate view from the standard list view—series data is not available as a list-view column.

  1. Select Elements from the left navigation.

  2. Select the Measures tab.

  3. Click the view options dropdown (the chevron next to the view controls) and choose Series Data.

The Series Data view shows measures in a spreadsheet-style grid, with actual and target values across period columns (May-26, Jun-26, Jul-26, and so on).

💡 Looking for data columns in the standard List view? You won’t find them there. Series data lives only in the Series Data view.

Selecting periods and exporting

  1. Open the Columns dropdown to choose which reporting periods appear in the view.

  2. Click the download button in the upper-right toolbar.

  3. Wait for the confirmation notification—ClearPoint: Measure Data Export Completed—then click through to download the file.

Editing your data

You can enter values into periods that are currently empty or contain data you want to update. The period itself must already exist in ClearPoint before it can be selected—Import/Export won’t create new reporting periods.

⚠️ Calculated series cannot be edited. They appear greyed out in the export. Excel will still let you type into those cells, but ClearPoint ignores the changes on upload—no error is shown. To change a calculated value, edit the series it’s calculated from within ClearPoint.

Uploading

  1. Save your file in .xlsx format.

  2. Return to the Series Data view.

  3. Click the upload button in the same toolbar.

Other Bulk Change Options (When You Don’t Need Import/Export)

While Import/Export is powerful, ClearPoint Next also supports other bulk-edit tools:

Inline Editing

Edit values directly in the list view—perfect for quick, small updates.

Bulk Actions via Checkboxes

Select multiple elements and perform actions such as:

  • Delete

  • Change owner

  • Adjust status

  • Mark complete

Copy Forward

Quickly copy existing update information from one reporting period into another. Use this to carry values forward—not to enter new values. To enter or revise data, use Import/Export from the Series Data view.

Import/Export is ideal for heavy-duty edits, but many smaller updates are faster directly in the app.

When to Use Import/Export vs. In-App Editing

Task Type

Best Method

Update 2–3 elements

Inline edit

Update 20–200 elements

Import/Export

Add multiple new elements

Import/Export

Change owners or statuses for selected items

Bulk actions with checkboxes

Enter or update measure data for a reporting period

Import/Export (Series Data view)

Carry existing values forward into a new period

Copy Forward

Tips for Success

  • Always filter your list view before exporting to reduce noise.

  • Only edit columns that are not grayed out.

  • Do not change locked rows/columns—they ensure correct mapping.

  • For new elements, leave Element ID blank.

  • Save your file in .xlsx format before uploading.

  • To update measure data, switch to the Series Data view—data columns aren’t available in the List view.

  • Greyed-out calculated series can’t be edited. Edits typed into those cells are silently discarded on upload.

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