You can connect to data that's stored in local files by uploading the files in PowerMetrics and creating data feeds. Then, using those data feeds, you can visualize your data in custom metrics.

Note: We support the following file formats: Excel, XML, CSV, and JSON.

This article includes:

• Creating a data feed using an uploaded file
• Manually updating data feeds that use local files
• Next steps - Creating custom metrics

Creating a data feed using an uploaded file

To create a data feed using an uploaded file:

1. Add a new data feed by clicking the + button beside Data Feeds in the left navigation bar. (See below.)

2. Click Select data.
3. On the Where is your data? page, under Core Data Services, click File upload. (See below.)

4. Click Choose File and select a file to upload.
5. Click Get data.
6. Ensure this is the data you're looking for and, then, click Continue.

Note: If you're uploading a multi-sheet file, use the Sheet selector to choose the sheet to show by default when you enter the data feed editor. (See below.) You can also switch between sheets in the editor by double-clicking a column header in the data feed table. This opens the raw data, where, under Sheet, you can choose the sheet you want to work with from the drop-down list.

7. You're taken to the data feed editor, where you can make changes to the data feed or save it as-is.

If you want to modify the data feed, go to this article for detailed editing information.

8. Note that the data feed is automatically named to match the uploaded file's name. You can change the name if desired and, optionally, enter a description.
9. Click Save data feed.

The data feed is added to your account and is ready to use for custom metrics. To see a list of all your data feeds, click Data Feeds in the left navigation sidebar.

Manually updating data feeds that use local files

If you modify the local file and want to update the data feed (and its associated custom metrics) to reflect your changes, you'll need to overwrite the version you previously uploaded.

Note: When you make changes to data that's stored on the cloud (for example, data in Google Drive) the connected data feeds are refreshed automatically.

To manually update a data feed:

1. Click Data Feeds in the left navigation sidebar to open your list of data feeds.
2. Select the data feed you want to modify.
3. Click the Edit button in the top navigation bar.
4. To update the data feed, click in the field under Data service and manually upload the most version of the file. (See below.)

5. Click Save data feed.

The data feed and its associated metrics are updated.

Next steps - Creating custom metrics

Now that you've created one or more data feeds that connect to data from uploaded files, you can return to them and use them to make custom metrics. A single data feed can be used to create a single or multiple custom metrics.

To create custom metrics using a data feed:

1. In the left navigation sidebar, click Data Feeds to open your list of data feeds.
2. Select the data feed you want to use for your custom metric.
3. Click either +Add metric button in the top right corner of the window or open the Metrics tab and click +Add metric. (See below.)

4. Choose settings for your custom metric and click Save metric. If you need help, go here to learn more.

The metric is added to your list of metrics, accessed by clicking Metrics in the left navigation sidebar.

View your metrics from multiple perspectives. Explore and analyze your data. Gather your metrics onto dashboards and share them with your colleagues. Track your progress as your data grows and changes over time. Most importantly - use the insights you get from PowerMetrics to make the right decisions at the right time.

Learn more

• Introduction to data feeds
• Editing data feeds
• Creating custom metrics (with data feeds)
• PowerMetrics: Preparing spreadsheets for data feeds