> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/engage/program-activities/import-program-activities.md).

# Import Program Activities

The Program Activity import allows you to create multiple program activity records at once from a spreadsheet file. PEARS generates a dynamic template customized to your organization, validates your data, and reports errors in a downloadable error workbook.

**Permission required:** Organization administrator or data manager.

## Import Program Activities

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Navigate to the Import Page**

From the Program Activities list page, click the **Import** button to open the import page.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Download the Template**

Click **Download Template** to generate an Excel template customized to your organization. The template includes:

* A **Codebook** sheet explaining each field with field types and example data formats.
* A **Key Mapping** sheet listing all valid values for lookup fields (program areas, action plans, sites, units, delivery methods, etc.) scoped to your organization's current reporting periods.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Always download a fresh template before importing. The Key Mapping sheet reflects your organization's current configuration and may change between reporting periods.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Prepare the Spreadsheet**

Fill in the template with your program activity data:

* Required fields are indicated in the Codebook sheet.
* Reference the **Key Mapping** sheet for valid values in lookup fields such as program areas, sites, and delivery methods.
* Each row represents one program activity record.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** On the Collaborators sheet, enter **one collaborator per row**. Multiple emails separated by commas in a single row are not supported and will fail validation with a "One user per row" error.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Extension and SNAP-Ed use different demographic categories. The SNAP-Ed-specific demographic columns are only included in the template when your organization has SNAP-Ed permissions. Use the column descriptions in the Codebook sheet to confirm which categories apply to your data.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Upload and Submit**

Upload the completed spreadsheet file. PEARS validates each row and creates program activity records for valid rows.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Review Results**

If errors are found, download the **error workbook**. The error workbook includes:

* A dedicated **Errors** sheet with one row per error.
* Hyperlinked cell references sorted by sheet, row, and column so you can quickly locate and fix issues.

Correct any errors in your original file and re-upload to import the remaining records.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** Only the import creator and organization administrators can view and manage an import. Data managers have additional flexibility to import data for completed programs or past reporting periods.
{% endhint %}