---
title: "Connecting to a Spreadsheet"
description: "In xP&A, you can connect to the following spreadsheet file formats: Google Sheets, Excel Online, Excel Upload, CSV Upload\nThe following three data formats for spreadsheet files are supported: Tables, Transactions, Time-series\nEach connected file needs to be formatted in a certain way so that the data can be imported into xP&A."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet
language: en
last_updated: 2026-05-01
---
# Connecting to a Spreadsheet in Lucanet xP&A

## Overview

In Lucanet xP&A (Extended Planning & Analysis), you can connect to the following spreadsheet **file formats**:

- Google Sheets
- Excel Online
- Excel Upload
- CSV Upload

**Google Sheets** and **Excel Online** are **synchronized**, i.e. you can refresh the data source and the latest data will be imported automatically, whereas data integrated via **CSV Upload** and **Excel Upload** need to be **updated manually**.

The following three **data formats** for spreadsheet files are supported:

- Tables
- Transactions
- Time-series

Each connected file needs to be **formatted** in a certain way so that the data can be imported into xP&A.

We also provide various templates for the different file and data formats, helping you to set up the files much easier.

## Prerequisites

### Formatting a Spreadsheet for Integration

In order to pull in data from a spreadsheet into xP&A, the spreadsheet needs to have a certain format. The format requirements depend on the type of data you want to connect.

### Table

The table format is useful where your values do not vary over time, i.e. it is more of a static database of information.

A table must structured as follows to import its data into xP&A:

- The **first row** represents the **dimension name** or **variable name.**
- **Every subsequent row** (below the top row) represent a single **dimension item.**

- The **first column** must contain the **primary dimension**.
- Additional columns can contain:
  - **Mapped dimensions**:

In case of mapped dimensions, the first row must have the name of the dimension being mapped from and the name of the dimension being mapped to, in the following format: \[from dimension\] > \[to dimension\]. Each subsequent row contains the "mapped" dimension

**Note**: (The arrow (">") is important because it is used by xP&A to distinguish between a normal dimension column, and a mapped dimension column! This is equivalent to [linking dimensions in xP&A](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/linking-dimensions-to-data-source.md), except that you cannot modify the link from within xP&A in this case.)
  - **Unmapped dimensions**:

The first row must contain the name of the dimension and all subsequent other row contains a dimension item.

**Note**: It is rare that you will use unmapped or nested dimensions in the table format.
  - **Variables**:

The first row must contain the name of the variable and all subsequent rows will contain the values, whether it's a date or a number, for the associated dimension item.

**Note**: You must not include a > in a variable column.

**Example**

![Shows a spreadsheet for table, highlighted are the column A as the primary dimension, column b as the mapped dimension, and columns C-E as variables.](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/example-table.png)
Example of a table

### Transactions

The transactions format is useful where your data varies over time, and you track it on a granular basis.

xP&A allows two types of transactions format to be imported:

**Standard format**

The standard format for transaction data allows you to pull in data on a transaction-by-transaction basis into xP&A. This is useful for values that are recorded on a per-day, per-week, or per-event basis, like **Sales by Customer**.

The standard format rules are:

- The **first column** must have the name **Date.**
- **Subsequent columns** can be **values**(such as variables or [Data Items](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/linking-variables-to-integrated-data.md)) or **dimensions**, with a freely-definable name.

**Note**: You can add \[dimension\] or \[variable\] to a column name to ensure that the system recognizes the column correctly.
- You can also add **dimension mappings**. In this case, the column name must have the name of the dimension being mapped from and the name of the dimension being mapped to, in the following format: \[from dimension\] > \[to dimension\].
- You can also add a **Cohort** column to integrate cohorts.

**Example**

![Shows a spreadsheet for transactions, highlighted are the column A as the date, column b as the variable, columns C as a dimension and column D as a mapped dimension](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/example-transaction.png)
Example of transactions (standard format)

**Alternative format**

If your data source has [Data Items](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/linking-variables-to-integrated-data.md) coming through in rows rather than columns then you can use the **Alternative format** for data ingestion.

The alternative format rules are:

- The **first column** must have the name **Date**.
- The **second column** must have the name **Type** and contain the [Data Item](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/linking-variables-to-integrated-data.md) or variable names.
- The **third column** must have the name **Value** and contain the respective values.

**Example**

![Shows a spreadsheet for transactions, highlighted are the column A as the date, column b as the type, columns C as the value and column D and E as other dimension columns](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/example-transaction-alternative.png)
Example of transactions (alternative format)

### Time-series

The time-series format is useful where your data varies over time (e.g. by month).

xP&A allows three types of time-series format to be imported:

**Basic time-series**

The basic time-series rules are:

- The **first row** must have **dates** for each value.
- The **first column** must have the **names of each variable.**
- Each subsequent row represents a single variable.

**Example**

![Shows a spreadsheet for basic time-series, highlighted are the date row on top, column A with the variables' names, and column B-E with the variables.](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/time-series-basic.png)
Example of basic time-series

**Time-series with dimensions**

With this type, you can include several dimensions.

The rules for time-series with dimensions are:

- Each row represents a single variable, for a single dimension item.
- The columns can be split into four sections:
1. The first column must have the **variables' names**.

2. The next columns represent the **dimensions**:

    - The first row of this section must have the name of the dimension.
    - The rows below may have the name of an item in that dimension.

3. The last columns represent the **values**:

    - The first row of this section must have dates.
    - The rows below contain the values themselves — which should be numbers (not text).

    > **Tip:** If a variable has more than one dimension, you can create a row for each possible iteration. For example, if Website Revenue was tracked by both Product and Geography, you would have 12 rows for Website Revenue (3 Products x 4 Geographies).

    **Example**

    ![Shows a spreadsheet for time-series with dimensions, highlighted are the first row with the dimension names and dates, and the subsequent rows with the variables' names, the dimensions, and the values](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/time-series-with-dimensions.png)
    Example of time-series with dimensions

**Time-series with linked dimensions**

With this type, you can include dimensions and mappings (i.e. links between dimensions and dimension items). You can include several dimensions and several mappings at the same time.

If you set up the mappings in your [data source](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/linking-variables-to-integrated-data.md), xP&A will automatically know how to slice and dice your variables.

The rules for time-series with linked dimensions are:

- Each row represents a single variable, for a single dimension item.
- The columns can be split into four sections:
1. The **first column** must have the variables' names.

2. The next columns represent the **dimensions**:

    - The first row of this section must have the name of the dimension.
    - The rows below may have the name of an item in that dimension.

3. The next columns hold the **dimension mappings**:

    - The first row must have the name of the dimension being mapped from and the name of the dimension being mapped to, in the following format: **\[from dimension\] > \[to dimension\]**.
    - The rows below may have the name of an item in the dimension being mapped to.

4. The last columns represent the **values**:

    - The first row of this section must have **dates**.
    - The rows below contain the **values** themselves — which should be numbers (not text).

    **Example**

    ![Shows a spreadsheet for time-series with dimensions, highlighted are the first row with the dimension names, the mapped dimensions and dates, and the subsequent rows with the variables' names, the dimensions, the mapped dimensions, and the values](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/time-series-with-mapped-dimensions.png)
    Example of time-series with mapped dimensions

## Connecting to a Spreadsheet in xP&A

To connect to a Spreadsheet in xP&A:

1. Choose one of the following options:

    - Open the **Data** workspace from the overview on the start page and click **\+ New.**

    ![Shows the start page of Lucanet xP&A. Highlighted are the buttons that need to be used to create a new data source connection from the start page.](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/new-data-source-data-workspace.png)
    New data source connection from the Data workspace

    - Open the model into which you would like to integrate the data, click the **+** sign next to **Data** in the overview, and choose **New data source**:

    ![Shows the view of a model. Highlighted are the buttons that need to be used to create a new data source connection from the model view.](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/new-data-source-model.png)
    New data source connection from within a model

2. In the **Data sources** dialog, open the **Spreadsheets** tab and choose the system from which you want to integrate data.

    ![Shows the Spreadsheets tab in the Data sources dialog](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/spreadsheets-tab.png)
    Spreadsheets tab

3. Configure the steps as described in the following section, depending on the selected source system.

### Excel Upload and CSV Upload

For **Excel Upload and CSV Upload** configure the following steps in the **New Data Source** dialog in xP&A:

| Step | Description |
|---------|---------|
| Upload file | Drag & drop or browse for the file you would like to connect. |
| Headers | **Worksheet**: Select the worksheet you would like to pull the data from.  **Headers**: In the file preview on the right, select the row representing the column headers of your dataset. |
| Format | Select the **format** of your data set and click **Apply** to see a preview of the formatted data. |
| Dimensions | Assign the dimensions of your data sources to the dimensions in xP&A in order to use them in xP&A. |

### Excel Online

For **Excel Online** configure the following steps in the **New Data Source** dialog in xP&A:

| Step | Description |
|---------|---------|
| Connection | **Choose a connection**: Authenticate with your Excel Online account or choose an already existing connection with Excel Online.  If you encounter issues with the authentication, you need to  **Select your file**: Select the file which you would like to connect.  **Select a worksheet from your file**: Select the worksheet from which you would like to pull in the data. |
| Headers | **Headers**: In the file preview on the right, select the row representing the column headers of your dataset.  You can click **Refresh data** to synchronize the file and get the latest data of your selected file. |
| Format | Select the **format** of your data set and click **Apply** to see a preview of the formatted data. |
| Dimensions | Assign the dimensions of your data sources to the dimensions in xP&A in order to use them in xP&A. |

### Google Sheets

For **Google Sheets** configure the following steps in the **New Data Source** dialog in xP&A:

| Step | Description |
|---------|---------|
| Connection | **Choose a connection**: Authenticate with your Google Sheets account or choose an existing connection with Google Sheets.  **Select your file**: Select the sheet which you would like to connect.  **Paste URL**: Alternatively, you can paste the URL of the sheet which you would like to connect.  **Select a worksheet from your file**: Select the worksheet from which you would like to pull in the data. |
| Headers | **Headers**: In the file preview on the right, select the row representing the column headers of your dataset.  You can click **Refresh data** to synchronize the file and get the latest data of your selected file. |
| Format | Select the **format** of your data set and click **Apply** to see a preview of the formatted data. |
| Dimensions | Assign the dimensions of your data sources to the dimensions in xP&A in order to use them in xP&A. |

## Spreadsheet Templates in xP&A

In order to set up your spreadsheets according to the requirements for xP&A more efficiently, you can use the following templates for Google Sheets and/or MS Excel:

| Template/Use case | Link to template and example |
|---------|---------|
| Basic headcount list | [Basic headcount list - Google Sheets Template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eYetjA87sKSAg7B0z2-Hc48sVRnvnGVTDpUJ3clG1vs/edit?usp=sharing) |
| Payroll actuals by month (time-series) | [Payroll actuals by month (time-series) - Excel Template](https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fcausal-public-assets%2Ftemplates%2FTime-series.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK) |
| Time-series cohorts | [Time-series cohorts - Google Sheets Template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mnuElYW-T-3f22q1FEL3kQiXbf5SsWuuSehtEy2R5W4/edit?usp=sharing) |
| Transaction format cohorts | [Transaction format cohorts - Google Sheets Template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VWW6A69o2PjaXOBm2mnFWzLrWfBwQrhJ4-hseIkrc_0/edit?usp=sharing)  [Transaction format - Excel Template](https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fcausal-public-assets%2Ftemplates%2FTransaction.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK) |
| Basic time-series | [Basic time-serie - Google Sheets Template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QBnKAbLC__XTLMlspAtOgxw-_PyhY2z0bsLj8rEi_R4/edit?usp=sharing) |
| Time-series with two dimensions | [Time-series with two dimensions - Google Sheets Template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QBnKAbLC__XTLMlspAtOgxw-_PyhY2z0bsLj8rEi_R4/edit#gid=0) |

## Importing Dimensions From a Spreadsheet in xP&A

When you import a dimension from a spreadsheet (CSV, Excel, or Google Sheets), you can define the hierarchy directly in the cells of the spreadsheet using the **>** separator. xP&A reads the hierarchy path, creates each dimension item at the correct level, and links it to its parent item automatically - there is no need to rebuild the hierarchy by drag-and-drop after the import.

This is the recommended approach when you are setting up a dimension with a large number of dimension items.

**Example**

Dimension hierarchy in the spreadsheet using the **>** separator:

![Shows a dimension hierarchy in a spreadsheet using the >](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/dimension-hierarchy-spreadsheet.png)
Dimension hierarchy in the spreadsheet

After the import, the dimension appears in the hierarchy in xP&A with the same structure you would get from organizing the dimension items manually:

![Shows the Dimension hierarchy from the spreadsheet in xP&A after import](https://support.lucanet.com/assets/docs-images/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/connecting-to-a-data-source/connecting-to-a-spreadsheet/_images/en/dimension-hierarchy-xpa.png)
Dimension hierarchy in xP&A after import

For more information on this topic, see [Creating and Editing Dimensions](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/using-dimensions/create-edit-dimensions.md#importing-dimensions-from-a-spreadsheet).

## Troubleshooting for Authentication with Excel Online or Google Sheets in xP&A

In case you encounter problems when authenticating to your **Excel Online** or **Google Sheets** account, you first need to grant access permissions to xP&A.

Please note that an **Administrator** role is required for each system to configure the permissions.

**Excel Online**

If you receive the error **Access Denied** or **Need admin approval** when connecting to Excel Online, please send the following troubleshooting guide to your IT Administrator:

1. Sign in to the **Microsoft Entra admin center** as a **Cloud Application Administrator** or **Global Administrator**.

2. Navigate to **Identity** | **Applications** | **Enterprise applications**.

3. In the search box, type **Causal**.

    **Note**: The app might also be called **Lucanet xP&A**. If neither name appears in the search results, it means the app has not been “provisioned” yet. Ask one of the xP&A users to attempt to create an Excel Online connection again. When they get the **Need admin approval** error, the app will be created in your directory, and you will be able to find it.

4. Click **Causal** (or **Lucanet xP&A**) in the list to open the application overview.

5. In the left sidebar, under **Security**, select **Permissions**.

6. Click **Grant admin consent for \[ _Your Organization_\]** and accept the permissions ( **files.read.all** and **sites.read.all**) in the displayed dialog.

7. Once granted, the permissions list will show **Granted for \[ _Your Organization_\]** in the status column.

        Users can now create Excel Online connections in xP&A.

For more information, you can also consult the Microsoft documentation: [Grant tenant-wide admin consent to an application](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/enterprise-apps/grant-admin-consent?pivots=portal).

**Google Sheets**

For Google Sheets, you can find the instructions to configure permissions for xP&A to access data here: [Control which apps access Google Workspace data](https://support.google.com/a/answer/7281227?hl=en#zippy=%2Cinternal-apps).