Channels Import with sFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

Summary
If you have a series of courses, learning activities or resources you would like to migrate to Learn Amp, you can use the Channels Import to create these channels in bulk.

The Channels Import is performed by first establishing a connection to Learn Amp's sFTP server, then importing a CSV file of Channels data through the Channels Import page in Company Settings.

Main Features

Establish a secure connection to migrate data to Learn Amp
Create channels
Add learnlists and items to channels

Information that can be synced

Channels are a way of structuring a series of courses (Learnlists), learning activities or resources (Items).

The Channels CSV import accept the following columns of data:

Channel field	Information

Channel field	Information
Title	Required: This is the name/title of the Channel.
Source Type	Optional, but recommended: This is a short text identifier for where this item is being imported from. For example, it could be the name of your old learning management system, or the content provider of these learning objects.
Source ID	Optional, but strongly recommended: If you are importing content from another system, please supply the ID or unique identifier for the course or learning object as it was in the old system. This is very useful for importing historic completion data into Learn Amp from your old system.
Image File Name	Optional: (not required if using Image URL column). JPG or PNG image file name for the Tile or Hero image for the item. This column should contain the exact filename of the corresponding image file. Before importing your CSV, you will need to transfer this file to us via sFTP. When transferring files, do not use directories or sub-directories. Please place each file in the root of your sFTP folder.
Image File URL	Optional: (not required if using Image File Name). Full URL (including HTTPS etc) of an image to use for the Tile or Hero image on the item. This URL must be publicly accessible. Our system will fetch the image from the remote page automatically during import.
Completion	Required: How the learnlist completion should be calculated. Must be one of: dynamic or absolute.
Structure	Required: How content is structured in the channel. Must be one of: ordered, locked or locked until tasked.
Tags	Optional: A comma separated list of tags.
Item Title	Optional: Title of a learning object (item/learnlist/quiz/event/survey) that should be added to the Channel. This learning object will be looked up by title. If it does not exist an error will be displayed.
Item Type	Optional, but required if Item Title is used: Type of the learning object that should be added to the Channel. Must be one of: Item, Learnlist, Quiz, Event or Survey. This learning object will be looked up by title. If it does not exist in this type an error will be displayed.

Known Limitations/ Considerations

Importing Learnlists and Channels: Learnlists and Channels CSV files are imported in Learn Amp. These cannot be uploaded to your sFTP server but an sFTP connection must be set-up to perform these imports.

Creating the import files: How CSV files are generated will depend entirely on your internal systems and processes. Sometimes a file can be generated from your content management platform by someone in your organisation. Sometimes the file will need to be manually generated and uploaded to Learn Amp.

sFTP server access: You will need to consider who will need access to your sFTP server to upload content files if you are unable to schedule this from your content management platform, e.g. Sharepoint.

Adding learnlists and items to channels: To add items and learnlists to channels using this import, items and Learnlists must already be available in Learn Amp, e.g. by performing the Learnlists and Items import first.

Level of import: Activity imports must happen at Item level, otherwise channel % completion won't calculate. E.g. you can't upload activity at Learnlist-level only, and expect channel % completion on Content/People logs to display accurately.

How the Platforms Connect

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a secure file protocol for transferring large files over the web.

An SFTP server requires both communicating parties to authenticate themselves by providing and validating an SSH key. One-half of the SSH key is stored on the computer of the two clients, while the other half is loaded on the server and associated with their account public. Only when the SSH key pair matches then authentication can occur.

Required Stakeholders

IT Manager / Team; for setting up your sFTP server.

Owners or Admins; individuals who are recognized owners of any user data or content you will import using sFTP.

HR Managers / Team; for input around people processes in relation to new starters, changers or leavers.

Set up Instructions

Instructions on how to enable sFTP can be found in Company Settings on your Learn Amp account.

You will need to be the account owner to configure sFTP.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Channels (and Learnlists) are imported using the Imports feature in Learn Amp. These cannot be uploaded to your sFTP server but an sFTP connection must be set-up to import these in Learn Amp. Image files for Learnlist or Channel thumbnail tiles can be uploaded to your sFTP server.

The Channels import cannot be scheduled using sFTP. This import is run manually by importing the CSV file to Learn Amp.

The status of completed imports is displayed on the Channels Import page.

STATUS	UPLOADED AT	PROCESSED AT	UPLOADED BY

STATUS	UPLOADED AT	PROCESSED AT	UPLOADED BY

No, it is only possible to associate new Channels with Items and Learnlists that already exist in Learn Amp. To add Items or Learnlists to Channels using the Channels import, perform the Learnlists and Items Imports first. You can then use the Item titles and type to populate the associated fields on the Channels import.

Related articles

What is sFTP and how to use it

How to enable sFTP