Using the Data Table

Overview 

Data Tables can be used to create structured tables that contain data in column and row format. Data Tables allow you to define column headings in preparation for a data import. 

A Data Table has the following structure:

Fields = Columns 
Entries = Rows

Field 1	Field 2	Field 3	Field 4
Entry	Entry	Entry	Entry
Entry	Entry	Entry	Entry

Use Case Example:

Let's say you're migrating from another LMS. The other LMS may contain a history of learner completion records. Given that no single LMS is the same in terms of reporting, a Data Table will be useful as it allows you to define the table format to match the structure of your old LMS. Now that you've create a structured Data Table inside of Pluto LMS, you can import your historical records into Pluto LMS.

Note:
You will need to export your data from your old system in Excel/csv format. You will need to be in communication with the 3rd party datasource on how to get your information out of their system. 

Create a Data Table

Step 1: Navigate to your course and click on "Edit course material."



Step 2: "Add course content" then select the "Data Table" activity type.

Step 3: Give your Data Table a name and click on "Save and display":



Step 4: Add a field (column) by selecting "Fields", then a field type. Once you've done that, you can save in order to create the field:

Step 5: Give the field (column) a name and description:

Step 6: Repeat 3 - 5 above to add more fields (columns) into your Data Table. Once you're done, you can have many fields as shown below:



Step 7: Define how your table displays via a template. Click on the "Templates" tab and adjust how you wish for your Data Table to display your data,

Managing Templates

Templates are the building blocks of your data table. They define what fields are included as well as how your data is displayed visually. The display of your data can be updated by (1) selecting the template type you wish to edit, (2) adding field values and using the text editor (3).  

Manually Adding Entries

Click on the "Add entry" tab, then enter the information (rows) into the respective fields (columns). You can then save and view or add another entry. 

Typically, to save time, we advise bulk importing your entries. 

Bulk Importing Entries 

Step 1: After you have defined your fields (columns) you can create an Excel file containing the matching field names as columns. For example: 

Please export/download this in csv format in order to import the data into Pluto LMS. 

Conversely, if you are importing existing entries from another system, ensure that the fields within Pluto LMS are defined to match your Excel file. In order for an import to work, the columns in the csv file need to match the fields (columns) in the data table so that the system knows how to match your data. 

Step 2: Click on the gear icon, followed by "Import Entries."

Step 3: You can upload your csv file into the upload box and then "Submit."

After a successful import, you will now see your imported data:

Note: If you are unhappy with the list view, you can always update your template to display the information differently. 

Managing Field Updates:

To edit, delete or add new fields, navigate to the fields tab and click on the gear icon to edit, trash icon to delete or add new fields as shown below:

Adding New Fields to your Template:

Let's say you created a data table, imported data, then later realised that you made an error by excluding a field you need within your data table. 

In order to add new fields to your data table, you would need to:

1: Add a new field to your data table:

2: Update your list and single template with the new fields added (1): 

You can add a newly added fields (2) to the template by adding text as well as the field placeholder by updating the text editor (3). As shown above [[First Name]], [[Last Name]], [[Course]] and [[Progress]] represent dynamic placeholders.

So if an entry for [[First Name]] = Joe, [[Last Name]] = Soap, [[Course]] = Leadership and [[Progress]] = 100 it will appear like this:

First Name: Joe

Last Name: Soap
Course: Leadership
Progress: 100

This will allow you to add, delete and edit existing fields and entries retrospectively. 

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