In this article, we’ll explain how to easily format and prepare your database CSV file and have your links instantly ready for upload.

The simplest way to go about formatting your file is by following our Example Spreadsheet, which you can easily download and fill in with your links and other data:

The columns colored in green are required, and the upload will be unsuccessful if there is data missing or if something is formatted incorrectly.

Let’s go over the Required fields.

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you have different taxonomy and naming structure, please check the Custom Fields article, create your preferred custom fields, add them to your CSV file and just then upload the file to Base.me
​https://help.base.me/en/articles/5379367-custom-fields-in-base

Client - Insert the domain of your client's website without the https:// or www

Link - Place the full URL on which the link to your website is.

Date - The date column should always be formatted YYYY-MM-DD. If you leave this field blank, today’s date will automatically be filled.

Category - Must be filled with the category that already exists in Base.

These are the global categories that are currently available:

Type - In this column, you should define the link type.

These are currently available:

sponsorship/partnership

infographic promotion

content promotion

editorial links

local citation

resource page

republishing

link insert

scholarship

submission

guest post

giveaway

bookmark

profile

forum

pr

NOTE (again): if you have different taxonomy and naming structure, please check the Custom Fields article, create your preferred custom fields, add them to your CSV file and just then upload the file to Base.me
​
​https://help.base.me/en/articles/5379367-custom-fields-in-base

Status - This column should be defined by one of these four categories:

Opportunity or op - you just found an interesting, relevant website for your client and you want to claim it, so your other colleagues won’t consider it for the same client

Requested or re - you contacted the owner of the website and are waiting for their response)

Pending or pe - you arranged everything and are just waiting for the link to be published

Confirmed or co - the link is live, and you’ve successfully created another link for yourself or your client

User - This column is used for defining which user has built the link. If you leave it blank, your email will be automatically applied.

If you’ve noticed that there is a certain parameter that you use in your own spreadsheet but isn’t defined in our example spreadsheet, you are able to add a new, Custom Field on the Settings page of your account:

Check out our Custom Fields in Base article for more detailed information.

Tip: Once you are adding your custom field, you are able to determine whether or not the field will be Required. If you opt that the field is required, please ensure that you do not leave any fields in that column blank, otherwise, the upload will be unsuccessful.

You are able to check whether the upload was successful via the Reports > Link imports tab.

Once you click the file name, if there are any errors in the upload, you will see it under “Errors” and the column “Reason” will show you exactly why the link was skipped for import.

If you have any questions or need any help with formatting - feel free to reach out to one of our team members via Live Chat in-app, we’re more than happy to help.