Uploading and Analyzing Files

Overview

Upload CSV and Excel files directly to Slack for instant analysis. Perfect for:

Ad-hoc reports
- External data analysis
  - Quick investigations
    - Data not in connected systems
      ![Screenshot: File upload process in Slack]

Supported File Types

CSV Files (.csv)

Standard comma-separated values
- Tab-delimited files
  - Other delimiters auto-detected
    - UTF-8 encoding recommended

Excel Files (.xlsx, .xls)

Single or multi-sheet workbooks
- Formulas converted to values
  - Formatted data preserved
    - First sheet analyzed by default

File Requirements

Maximum size: 100MB
- Structure: Tabular data with headers
  - Format: One header row, followed by data
    - Quality: No merged cells or complex layouts

How to Upload Files

Method 1: Direct Message

Open DM with Scoop 2. Click paperclip icon (📎) 3. Select your file 4. Click upload
![Screenshot: File upload button in Slack DM]

Method 2: In Channels

Mention @Scoop 2. Attach file to message 3. Scoop detects and prompts

Method 3: Drag and Drop

Simply drag file into conversation with Scoop

![Screenshot: Drag and drop file upload]

Upload Process

1. File Detection

Scoop automatically detects when you share a file:

Would you like me to import and analyze this file?

[✅ Yes, Analyze] [❌ Cancel]```


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### 2. Processing

After clicking "Yes, Analyze":

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!\[Screenshot: File processing status messages]

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### 3. Success Confirmation

✅ Import Successful!


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Dataset Description\
Your sales report contains 15,420 records with order information including customer, product, revenue, and date fields from Q4 2024.

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💡 Suggested Initial Queries:\
• "show me total revenue by month" - See Q4 trending
• "what are the top 10 products?" - Identify bestsellers
• "analyze customer segments" - Find patterns```

File Preparation Tips

For Best Results

CSV Files

Customer,Revenue,Date,Product
Acme Corp,5000,2024-01-15,Widget Pro
TechCo,3500,2024-01-16,Service Plan

Excel Files

Keep data in first sheet
- Clear column headers
  - Remove subtotals/totals
    - Avoid merged cells

Common Issues to Avoid

❌ Multiple header rows``` Sales Report Q4 2024 Customer | Revenue | Date


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✅ **Single header row**```
Customer,Revenue,Date

❌ Embedded calculations``` Customer,Revenue Acme,5000 TechCo,3500 TOTAL:,8500


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✅ **Clean data only**```
Customer,Revenue
Acme,5000
TechCo,3500

![Screenshot: Good vs bad file formats]

After Upload

Immediate Analysis

Once uploaded, start analyzing:``` show me the data summarize this dataset what patterns exist? create a revenue chart


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### Dataset Persistence

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* Personal dataset created
  * Available for future sessions
    * Switch between uploaded files
      * Combine with other data
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### Sharing Uploaded Data

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1. Analyze in private (DM)
   2. Find insights
      3. Share results to channels
         4. Team sees insights (not raw file)
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## Advanced Upload Features

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### Multi-Sheet Excel

If your Excel has multiple sheets:```
Scoop: I found 3 sheets in your file. Analyzing "Sales Data" (Sheet 1).
You: analyze the "Returns" sheet instead

Data Enrichment

Scoop automatically:

Detects date columns
- Identifies currencies
  - Recognizes categories
    - Suggests calculated fields
      ![Screenshot: Scoop showing detected data types and suggestions]

Smart Sampling

For large files:

Scoop samples data for quick preview
- Full analysis on demand
  - Optimized for performance

Troubleshooting Uploads

File Won't Upload?

Check file size (<100MB)
- Ensure .csv or .xlsx format
  - Verify Slack file permissions

Import Failed?

Common causes and solutions:

"No data tables found"

Check file has actual data
- Ensure headers in row 1
  - Remove empty rows/columns
    "Invalid format"
    - Save as standard CSV
      - Use UTF-8 encoding
        
        Remove special characters
        "File too complex"
        
        Simplify to single table
        
        Remove pivot tables
        
        Flatten nested data

Getting Help

If upload fails:``` [📖 File Format Tips] [📤 Try Another File]


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Click "File Format Tips" for detailed guidance.

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## Security & Privacy

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### Your Data Is Secure

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* Files processed securely
  * Stored in isolated workspace
    * Not accessible to others
      * Deleted per retention policy
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### Personal Datasets

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* Only visible to you
  * Not shared with team
    * Full control over sharing
      * Separate from org data
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## Next: [Visualizations & Exports](visualizations-guide.md)