--- title: "Use a Document Import Application" slug: "use-a-document-import-application" description: "Describes how to use an import application to import documents into the Autoform DM archive." updated: 2024-12-13T15:14:36Z published: 2024-12-13T15:14:36Z canonical: "kb.lasernetgroup.com/use-a-document-import-application" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.lasernetgroup.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Use a Document Import Application Document import applications enable you to choose document files to import, enter metadata to describe them, and import them into the archive. ## Start a Document Import Application The applications that are available to you are listed on the **Applications** page. Import applications are characterized by a "down-pointing arrow" icon. Click an import application to start it. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/import-app-on-homepage.png) ## Find Your Way Around a Document Import Application The information below will help you to familiarize yourself with the parts of a document import application. Refer to the information for your version of Autoform DM: ### Autoform DM 10.4 and 10.5 A document import application consists of three main elements. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/annotated_overview.png) | Number | Element | | --- | --- | | 1 | [File Preview pane](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#file-preview-pane) | | 2 | [Key Input pane](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#key-input-pane) | | 3 | [Table Input pane](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#table-input-pane) | #### File Preview Pane This area displays the content of the current document, which is the import document currently selected in the **Table Input** pane. > [!NOTE] > Note > > This document content preview is available for PDF, PNG, GIF, and JPEG files. This pane also enables you to add more documents to the import, because you can drag files into this area. For more information about the import process, see the Autoform DM 10.4 and 10.5 area of [Import Documents into the Archive](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#import-documents-into-the-archive). #### Key Input Pane This pane contains the metadata that will be associated with the current document when that document is archived. The current document is the document that is selected in the **Table Input** pane. You can add and update document metadata in the **Key Input** pane. This pane and the **Table Input** pane both display document metadata; consequently, any changes that you make here appear there too. > [!NOTE] > Note > > To use the **Key Input** pane, you must add one or more documents to the import. #### Table Input Pane This pane lists the files you have chosen to import. Alternative display modes are available. To switch between them, click one of the **View Mode** buttons: ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/view_modes.png) #### Table Input View This is the default view. It displays document key data organized into a table, which can make entering and editing document metadata simple. Each table row corresponds to a particular import document. If your categorization of the import documents uses more than one document definition (for example, some documents are invoices and others are statements), the **Table Input** pane will contain multiple tables; one for each of the used document definitions. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/table_input_full.png) When you select a table row, that row's document is previewed in the **File Preview** pane, and that document's metadata is displayed the **Key Input** pane (in addition to the **Table Input** pane). Click a cell to enter or modify the data in it. To use the keyboard to move between table cells, press Tab. The cursor will move to the next editable cell in the current row. Or, if the currently selected cell is the last cell in a row, the cursor will move to the first editable cell in the next row. > [!NOTE] > Note > > You can overwrite the data either directly in the table cells, or alternatively in the **Key Input** pane. If a key is set to read-only, its data cannot be changed. #### Thumbnails View This view shows resizable thumbnail previews of the documents. Click a thumbnail to select that import document. Its content will be displayed in the **File Preview** pane, and the **Key Input** pane will display its metadata. ![thumbnail_input_updated](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/thumbnail_input_updated.png) #### Details View This view shows additional document metadata. ![details_input_updated](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/details_input_updated.png) ### Autoform DM 10.2 and 10.3 ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/find way around(4).png) An import application three main elements: | Number | Element | | --- | --- | | 1 | **Document** pane. Your uploaded document will be previewed in this pane if the file format is supported. | | 2 | **Key Input** pane. This pane contains the metadata that will be associated with the document when it is archived. | | 3 | **Table Input** pane. In **Table Input** view (depicted above), this pane lists import documents with the associated metadata organized into a table. Each row is one document. Alternative display modes are available. To switch between them, click one of the **View Mode** buttons (**Table Input**, **Thumbnails**, and **Details**) at the top of the pane. These display modes are described in [Table Input Pane View Modes](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#table-input-pane-view-modes). | Each of these areas has a role in the document import process. Refer to the Autoform DM 10.2 or Autoform DM 10.3 area of [Import Documents into the Archive](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#import-documents-into-the-archive) for instructions. #### Table Input Pane View Modes The Table Input pane has three view modes: **Table Input**, **Thumbnails**, and **Details**. #### Table Input View This is the default view that includes document key data organized into a table. Each row is one document. ![table_input_full](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/table_input_full.png) If your categorization of the import documents uses more than one document definition (for example, some documents are invoices and others are statements), the **Table Input** pane will contain multiple tables; one for each of the used document definitions. The document associated with the selected row is previewed in the **Document** pane and its metadata is shown in the **Key Input** pane. #### Thumbnails View This view shows resizable thumbnail previews of the documents. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/thumbnail_input_updated.png) #### Details View This view shows additional document metadata. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/details_input_updated.png) ### Autoform DM 10.1 ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/find way around(3).png) An import application three main elements: | Number | Element | | --- | --- | | 1 | **Document** pane. Your uploaded document will be previewed in this pane if the file format is supported. | | 2 | **Key Input** pane. This pane contains the metadata that will be associated with the document when it is archived. | | 3 | **Table Input** pane. This pane lists import documents with the associated metadata organized into a table. Each row is one document. | Each of these areas has a role in the document import process. Refer to the Autoform DM 10.1 area of [Import Documents into the Archive](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#import-documents-into-the-archive) for instructions. ### Autoform DM 10.0 ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/find way around(2).png) An import application has two main elements: | Number | Element | | --- | --- | | 1 | **Document** pane. Your uploaded document will be previewed in this pane if the file format is supported. | | 2 | **Key Input** pane. This pane contains the metadata that will be associated with the document when it is archived. | Each of these areas has a role in the document import process. Refer to the Autoform DM 10.0 area of [Import Documents into the Archive](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#import-documents-into-the-archive) for instructions. ## Import Documents into the Archive The steps in this section will enable you to select documents to import, provide metadata to describe them, and import them into the Autoform DM archive. Follow the steps for your version of Autoform DM: ### Autoform DM 10.4 and 10.5 #### Import Documents To import documents into the archive, follow this process: 1. Choose documents to import. 2. Link each import document to a document definition. 3. Ensure that the metadata for each document is complete and correct. 4. Import the documents into the archive. Each of these parts of the process are described below. **Choose Documents to Import** To choose documents to import, use one of the following methods: - Drag one or more documents from a File Explorer window onto the **File Preview** pane. - Click **Add more files** at the bottom of the import application, select the files, then click **Open**. - **If the File Preview pane is currently empty:** Click in the **File Preview** pane, select the files, then click **Open**. > [!NOTE] > Note > > You can import only files of the types that the application is configured to accept. For example, it might be configured to accept only `.pdf` files. ![document pane(2)](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/document%20pane(2).png) **Link Each Import Document to a Document Definition** After you select files to upload, the **Adding Files** window opens. In this window, you link each import document to a document definition. This action classifies each import document. For example, if you selected two files, you might classify the first import document as an order invoice and classify the second document as a customer statement. > [!NOTE] > Note > > If the import application is associated with only one document definition, the **Adding Files** window will not open because there is no need for you to manually classify each import document. > > > > The import application will automatically apply the same document definition to all the import documents. As a result, you can skip to the next stage of the import process (where you enter metadata for each import document). > [!NOTE] > Note > > At any time, you can click **Cancel Adding Files** (at the bottom corner of the **Adding Files** window) to close the window and return to the import application. If you need to manually classify each import document by document definition, follow these steps: 1. Complete **Step 1** of the “adding files” process. During step 1, Autoform DM displays the following question: "**Are these files all the same document type?**". Click one of the following options: ![step 1](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/step%201.png) > [!NOTE] > Note for Users of Autoform DM 10.5 > > If the import application is associated with more than one document definition and you are uploading only one file, the upload process will skip directly to the **If you clicked Yes** part of the next step. - **Yes:** One document definition describes all the selected documents. During **Step 2** of the “adding files” process, you will choose the document definition to apply to all of those documents. - **No:** The collection of import documents that you chose consists of more than one type of document. During **Step 2** of the “adding files” process, you will choose which document definition to apply to each import document individually. 2. Complete **Step 2** of the “adding files” process. The tools that Autoform DM provides you to classify the import documents differ depending on which option you selected during **Step 1**: - **If you clicked Yes:** Click the document definition that you want to apply to all the import documents. ![adding files step 2 yes(1)](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding%20files%20step%202%20yes(1).png) - **If you clicked No:** Autoform DM will display tiles (or thumbnail previews, if possible) to represent each import document. Colored areas beside these tiles represent document definitions. Drag and drop each document to the document definition that you want to apply to it. To remove a document from the import during this classification process, drag its tile to the **Drag files here to delete** (trash can) area. > [!NOTE] > Tip > > If only some of the document definitions are relevant to you, click **Filter Document Definitions** and deselect any document definitions that are not relevant. Autoform DM will hide them. ![adding files step 2 no annotated](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding%20files%20step%202%20no%20annotated.png) After you have dragged all documents to a document definition, a table summarizes your actions. To accept these classifications, click **Finished**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/complete_finish.png) **Enter Document Metadata** After you have classified the import documents, the **Adding Files** window closes. The **Table Input** pane of the import application (see “**a**” in the image below) and the **Key Input** pane (b) show which document definitions you applied. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/doc-defs-added-to-documents.png) Before you import the documents, you must ensure that the metadata for each document is complete and correct. In the **Key Input** pane and **Table Input** pane, check existing values, and enter or select metadata values that are appropriate for your documents. You must complete all mandatory fields. **In the Key Input pane:** Enter the metadata that will be associated with each document when it is archived. Populate the fields as required for each document. To select a document to enter metadata for, click that document’s row in the **Table Input** pane. You cannot import a document without completing all required fields. > [!NOTE] > Note > > - Keys that the system administrator has configured as read-only cannot be overwritten. > - Number and date keys have validation but String keys do not. > - The keys that an import application uses are customizable and are defined by the system administrator. As a result, they might be different from the examples shown here.Your content goes here **In the Table Input pane:** Enter metadata directly into the table cells in each row. You can right-click a cell to display a menu that provides additional capabilities: - **Delete File:** Deletes the row and removes the corresponding document from this import. - **Fill value up:** Fills all fields above, in the same column, with the same value. - **Fill value down:** Fills all fields below, in the same column, with the same value. - **Fill series down:** Fills all cells below, in the same column, from the top cell downwards, with values that (for each row of the table) increment by 1 (for numeric keys) or 1 day (for date keys). For example, if a table in the **Table Input** pane contains four files, a numeric data cell in the first row of the table contains **4**, and you right-click the **4** and then select **Fill series down (+1)**, that column will contain (from the top row downwards): **4**, **5**, **6**, then **7**. - This command is available only when you right-click a numeric or date key cell, in the top row of a table. - For numeric keys, the menu item is **Fill series down (+1)**. - For date keys, the menu item is **Fill series down (+1 day)**. - **Reclassify file:** Displays a list of available document definitions, to enable you to change the selected document to another document type. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Some import applications collect Customer Unique Key metadata for documents. For more information about Customer Unique Key (CUK) and the icons that Autoform DM displays within a CUK column in the **Table Input** pane, see [Customer Unique Key (CUK)](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#customer-unique-key-cuk). > [!NOTE] > Note > > If the Autoform DM import application is configured to, it will automatically extract an identification code from a barcode in the import document, then use that code in the import workflow as the import document's CUK. For more information about this feature, see [Barcode Scan and Match](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#barcode-scan-and-match). **Import the Documents into the Archive** When you are ready to import the documents into the archive, click **Import**. Autoform DM archives the documents and returns to the start of the import process. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/click-Import.png) #### Restart the Import Process To restart the import process without importing the currently selected documents, click **Reset** (below the **Table Input** pane). #### Return to the Application List To exit the import application and return to the application list, click **Cancel** (below the **Table Input** pane). ### Autoform DM 10.3 #### Import Documents To import documents into the archive, follow this process: 1. Choose documents to import. 2. Link each import document to a document definition. 3. Ensure that the metadata for each document is complete and correct. 4. Import the documents into the archive. Each of these parts of the process are described below. **Choose Documents to Import** To import documents into the archive, follow these steps: To choose documents to import, use one of the following methods: - Drag one or more documents from a File Explorer window onto the **Document** pane. - Click in the **Document** pane, select one or more documents in the **Open** window, then click **Open**. - If you have already selected some documents to import, you can click **Add more files** below the **Table Input** pane. > [!NOTE] > Note > > You can import only files of the types that the application is configured to accept. For example, it might be configured to accept only `.pdf` files. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/document pane(2).png) **Link Each Import Document to a Document Definition** The part of the process that you do next depends on whether the import application is associated with more than one document definition: **If the import application is associated with only one document definition:** The import application will automatically apply that document definition to all the import documents. As a result, you can skip to the next part of this process (enter metadata for each import document). **If the import application is associated with more than one document definition:** The **Adding Files** window opens. You must use this window to apply the correct document definition to each import document. To apply document definitions to documents, follow these steps: 1. In the **Adding Files** window, answer the first question: **Step 1 – Are these files all the same document type?** There are two options: ![step 1](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/step%201.png) - **Yes:** Select this option if all the documents you are uploading are the same type. For example, they are all invoices. - **No:** Select this option if you are uploading several types of documents. For example, some invoices and some statements. 2. Complete the **Step 2 – Choose document definition(s)** part of the process. The tools that Autoform DM provides to you depend on whether you answered Yes or No in the previous step. - **If you answered Yes:** Select the document definition that you want to be applied to all the files. ![adding files step 2 yes(1)](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding%20files%20step%202%20yes(1).png) - **If you answered No:** Follow these steps: 1. Each document is represented by a thumbnail image. Drag each document thumbnail to the relevant document definition to apply that definition. You can remove documents from the import by dragging them to the bin icon. ![adding files step 2 no annotated(1)](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding%20files%20step%202%20no%20annotated(1).png) 2. When you have classified all the import documents, a summary table is shown. Click **Finished** to submit your document classifications. ![adding files step 2 no finished](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding%20files%20step%202%20no%20finished.png) **Enter Document Metadata** Enter metadata for each import document. You can use the **Key Input** pane, the **Table Input** pane, or both. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Some import applications provide a Customer Unique Key (CUK) metadata key for each document. > > > > For more information about Customer Unique Key (CUK), see [Customer Unique Key (CUK)](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#customer-unique-key-cuk). That section also describes the icons that an import application displays within a **Customer Unique Key** column in the **Table Input** pane. **Key Input pane:** Enter the metadata that will be associated with each document when it is archived. Populate the fields as required for each document. To select a document to enter metadata for, click that document’s row in the **Table Input** pane. You cannot import a document without completing all required fields. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Fields containing System data, or those which were set as read-only by the system administrator, cannot be overwritten. > > > > Number and date keys have validation but String keys do not. > > > > The fields are customizable and are defined by the system administrator. Therefore, they might be different from the example shown. **Table Input pane:** Enter metadata directly into the table cells in each row. You can right-click a cell to display a menu that provides additional capabilities: - **Delete File:** Deletes the row and removes the corresponding document from this import. - **Fill value up:** Fills all fields above, in the same column, with the same value. - **Fill value down:** Fills all fields below, in the same column, with the same value. - **Fill series down:** Fills all cells below, in the same column, from the top cell downwards, with values that (for each row of the table) increment by 1 (for numeric keys) or 1 day (for date keys). For example, if a table in the **Table Input** pane contains four files, a numeric data cell in the first row of the table contains **4**, and you right-click the **4** and then select **Fill series down (+1)**, that column will contain (from the top row downwards): **4**, **5**, **6**, then **7**. - This command is available only when you right-click a numeric or date key cell, in the top row of a table. - For numeric keys, the menu item is **Fill series down (+1)**. - For date keys, the menu item is **Fill series down (+1 day)**. - **Reclassify file:** Displays a list of available document definitions, to enable you to change the selected document to another document type. **Import the Documents into the Archive** Click **Import** below the **Table Input** pane. Autoform DM archives the documents and then returns to the start of the document import process. #### Restart the Import Process To restart the import process without importing the currently selected documents, click **Reset** (below the **Table Input** pane). #### Return to the Application List To exit the import application and return to the application list, click **Cancel** (below the **Table Input** pane). ### Autoform DM 10.2 #### Import Documents To import documents into the archive, follow this process: 1. Choose documents to import. 2. Link each import document to a document definition. 3. Ensure that the metadata for each document is complete and correct. 4. Import the documents into the archive. Each of these parts of the process are described below. **Choose Documents to Import** To choose documents to import, use one of the following methods: - Drag one or more documents from a File Explorer window onto the **Document** pane. - Click in the **Document** pane, select one or more documents in the **Open** window, then click **Open**. - If you have already selected some documents to import, you can click **Add more files** below the **Table Input** pane. > [!NOTE] > Note > > You can import only files of the types that the application is configured to accept. For example, it might be configured to accept only `.pdf` files. ![document pane(1)](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/document%20pane(1).png) **Link Each Import Document to a Document Definition** In the **Adding Files** window, answer the first question: **Step 1 – Are these files all the same document type?** There are two options: - **Yes:** Select this option if all the documents you are uploading are the same type. For example, they are all invoices. - **No:** Select this option if you are uploading several types of documents. For example, some invoices and some statements. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/step 1.png) Complete the **Step 2 – Choose document definition(s)** part of the process. The tools that Autoform DM provides to you depend on whether you answered **Yes** or **No** in the previous step. **If you answered Yes:** Select the document definition that you want to be applied to all the files. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding files step 2 yes(1).png) **If you answered No:** Follow these steps: 1. Each document is represented by a thumbnail image. Drag each document thumbnail to the relevant document definition to apply that definition. You can remove documents from the import by dragging them to the bin icon. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding files step 2 no annotated(1).png) 2. When you have classified all the import documents, a summary table is shown. Click **Finished** to submit your document classifications. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/adding files step 2 no finished.png) **Enter Document Metadata** Enter metadata for each import document. You can use the **Key Input** pane, the **Table Input** pane, or both. **Key Input pane:** Enter the metadata that will be associated with each document when it is archived. Populate the fields as required for each document. To select a document to enter metadata for, click that document’s row in the **Table Input** pane. You cannot import a document without completing all required fields. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Fields containing System data, or those which were set as read-only by the system administrator, cannot be overwritten. > > > > Number and date keys have validation but String keys do not. > > > > The fields are customizable and are defined by the system administrator. Therefore, they might be different from the example shown. **Table Input pane:** Enter metadata directly into the table cells in each row. You can right-click a table cell to display a menu that provides additional capabilities: - **Delete File:** Deletes the row and removes the corresponding document from this import. - **Fill value up:** Fills all fields above, in the same column, with the same value. - **Fill value down:** Fills all fields below, in the same column, with the same value. - **Fill series down:** Fills all cells below, in the same column, from the top cell downwards, with values that (for each row of the table) increment by 1 (for numeric keys) or 1 day (for date keys). For example, if a table in the **Table Input** pane contains four files, a numeric data cell in the first row of the table contains **4**, and you right-click the **4** and then select **Fill series down (+1)**, that column will contain (from the top row downwards): **4**, **5**, **6**, then **7**. - This command is available only when you right-click a numeric or date key cell, in the top row of a table. - For numeric keys, the menu item is **Fill series down (+1)**. - For date keys, the menu item is **Fill series down (+1 day)**. - **Reclassify file:** Displays a list of available document definitions, to enable you to change the selected document to another document type. **Import the Documents into the Archive** Click **Import** below the **Table Input** pane. Autoform DM archives the documents and then returns to the start of the document import process. #### Restart the Import Process To restart the import process without importing the currently selected documents, click **Reset** (below the **Table Input** pane). #### Return to the Application List To exit the import application and return to the application list, click **Cancel** (below the **Table Input** pane). ### Autoform DM 10.1 #### Import Documents To import documents into the archive, follow these steps: 1. To choose documents to import, use one of the following methods: > [!NOTE] > Note > > You can import only files of the types that the application is configured to accept. For example, it might be configured to accept only `.pdf` files. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/document pane(1).png) - Drag one or more documents from a File Explorer window onto the **Document** pane. - Click in the **Document** pane, select one or more documents in the **Open** window, then click **Open**. 2. Enter metadata for each import document. You can use the **Key Input** pane, the **Table Input** pane, or both: - **Key Input pane:** Enter the metadata that will be associated with each document when it is archived. Populate the fields as required for each document. To select a document to enter metadata for, click that document’s row in the **Table Input** pane. You cannot import a document without completing all required fields. > [!NOTE] > Note > > The **Document Definition** that you select in the **Key Input** pane is applied to all the documents in the **Table Input** pane. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Fields containing System data, or those which were set as read-only by the system administrator, cannot be overwritten. > > > > Number and date keys have validation but String keys do not. > > > > The fields are customizable and are defined by the system administrator. Therefore, they might be different from the example shown. - **Table Input pane:** Enter metadata directly into the table cells in each row. In each cell, you can click the ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/purple arrow.png) (purple arrow) icon to display a menu that provides additional capabilities: > [!NOTE] > Note > > The document associated with the selected row is previewed in the **Document** pane and that document’s metadata is shown in the **Key Input** pane. > [!NOTE] > Note > > If a key is set to read-only, that data cannot be changed in the **Table Input** pane. - **Delete File:** Deletes the row and removes the corresponding document from this import. - **Fill value up:** Fills all fields above, in the same column, with the same value. - **Fill value down:** Fills all fields below, in the same column, with the same value. 3. Click **Import** below the **Table Input** pane. Autoform DM archives the documents and then returns to the start of the document import process. #### Restart the Import Process To restart the import process without importing the currently selected documents, click **Reset** (below the **Table Input** pane). #### Return to the Application List To exit the import application and return to the application list, click **Cancel** (below the **Table Input** pane). ### Autoform DM 10.0 > [!NOTE] > Note > > In Autoform DM 10.0, a document import application can import only one document. To import multiple documents, you must run the application multiple times. #### Import a Document To import a document into the archive, follow these steps: 1. To choose a document to import, use one of the following methods: > [!NOTE] > Note > > You can import only files of the types that the application is configured to accept. For example, it might be configured to accept only `.pdf` files. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/document pane.png) - Drag a document from a File Explorer window onto the **Document** pane. - Click in the **Document** pane, select the file, then click **Open**. 2. In the **Key Input** pane, enter the metadata that will be associated with the document when it is archived. Populate the fields as required for your document. You cannot import a document without completing all required fields. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Fields containing System data, or those which were set as read-only by the system administrator, cannot be overwritten. > > > > Number and date keys have validation but String keys do not. > > > > The fields are customizable and are defined by the system administrator. Therefore, they might be different from the example shown. 3. Click **Import** (below the **Document** pane or at the bottom of the **Key Input** pane). Autoform DM archives the document and then returns to the start of the document import process. > [!NOTE] > Note > > After you click **Import**, Autoform DM empties the metadata fields in the **Key Input** pane. To retain the metadata that you entered and apply it to the next document, click **Preserve key data** in the **Key Input pane** before you click **Import**. #### Restart the Import Process To restart the import process without importing the currently selected document, click **Reset** (below the **Document** pane). #### Return to the Application List To exit the import application and return to the application list, click **Cancel** (below the **Document** pane). ## Customer Unique Key (CUK) > [!NOTE] > Note > > Customer Unique Key (CUK) is present in Autoform DM 10.3 and later. Customer Unique Key (CUK) metadata enables an organization to apply a document identifier (that is meaningful to that organization) to each document. Customer Unique Key will appear in the **Key Input** pane and **Table Input** pane if it is bound to the document import application. After a value is entered for **Customer Unique Key**, Autoform DM will display either a **CUK Matched** icon, **Warning** icon (CUK matched but with possible data loss), or **CUK Not Matched** icon. Hover the mouse over the icon for more information. ### CUK Matched If the CUK entered for the import document matches the CUK of a document that already exists in the Autoform DM archive, that existing document's record will be updated (when you click **Import**). So, the **Key Input** pane and **Table Input** pane will be prepopulated with metadata from the existing document's record (taking [key value precedence](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#key-value-precedence) into account). Proceeding with the import will create a new revision of the existing document, and the new revision will represent the document currently being imported. The new import document will become the latest version of the document in the archive, and its metadata will be the values supplied during this import. However, although after the import the current latest revision will no longer be the latest, that document revision (and its metadata) will remain available from the archive as a previous revision of the document. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Document history remains available for auditing. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/CUK-matched.png) ### Warning – CUK Matched But With a Risk of Data Loss Due to Unbound Keys If the CUK entered for the import document matches the CUK of a document that already exists in the Autoform DM archive, but the existing document has data in keys that are not bound to this import application, there is a risk of data loss. For example, suppose that the latest version of the existing document in the archive has data in an **Account Number** key, but the **Account Number** key is not bound to the import application (that you are using to upload a new version of the document). As a result, you cannot provide a value for **Account Number** through the import application (when you import a new version of the document). Because you cannot provide an **Account Number** for the new document version that you are creating, the **Account Number** metadata stored for the current latest version of the document cannot be applied to the new document version, and consequently will be "lost". The warning alerts you to this situation. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/CUK-matched-with-data-loss.png) ### CUK Not Matched If the CUK entered for the import document does not match the CUK of an archived document, a new record will be created with that CUK. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/CUK-not-matched.png) ## Key Value Precedence > [!NOTE] > Note > > Key value precedence is related to CUK (Customer Unique Key) and so is relevant to Autoform DM 10.3 and later. In some scenarios, multiple values are provided for a particular key (when you use an import application). For example, an import application might specify a default value for a key, but seed data might also have been provided for that key. For a brief definition of seed values, see [Seed Values](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#seed-values). The following list is the order of precedence for key values: 1. Read-only keys never change. A read-only key's value always matches the default value for that key. 2. Seed values override all other available values for a key, unless that key is read-only (see 1 above). 3. Key values copied from an archived document (that the import document matches on CUK) override the default values for the import document's keys. However, this happens only for the keys that the archived document has values for; essentially, only those keys that the archived document is able to contribute a value for. 4. Otherwise, a key's default value will be used (if it has one). An import application specifies the default value for the keys that are bound to it. Click the **i** button in a cell to display a tooltip that summarises how the import application has determined the value for a field. ![A tooltip that indicates seed value override](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/key value precedence.png) However, although a value can be automatically provided for a key (as described above), you can manually change that key's value before you import the document, unless the key is read-only. ### Seed Values Seed values are document metadata values that are provided to an import application by a third-party system. When a third-party system initiates the Autoform DM import process and provides seed values, an Autoform DM document import application automatically opens. After you select the documents you want to import into the archive, the provided seed values are automatically applied to the import documents' keys (in the **Table Input** pane and **Key Input** pane). From this point, you can continue and complete the import process. For more information about seed values and how third-party systems can supply them to import applications, see [Integrate Third-Party Software with a Web Document Import Application](/v1/docs/integrate-third-party-software-with-a-web-document-import-application). ## Barcode Scan and Match > [!NOTE] > Note > > Barcode scan and match is available in Autoform DM 10.4 and later. An import application can scan each import document for a barcode to extract a document identification code from. If it finds a barcode and is able to read it, the import application will use the code that it extracts from the barcode as the import document's [CUK](/v1/docs/use-a-document-import-application#customer-unique-key-cuk). Barcode scanning enhances the existing CUK matching feature. If the CUK that Autoform DM reads from a barcode matches the CUK of a document in the archive, the imported document becomes a new revision of that existing document. If there is no match, Autoform DM creates a new document record in its archive. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/BSM-1.png) > [!NOTE] > Note > > An import application will scan documents for barcodes only if it is configured to do so. For more information about scanning barcodes in Autoform DM, consider watching our [FormBytes video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFGUYVgOczQ).