Auto Upload

Overview

Auto Upload is a function that runs the Get Data process on a schedule. The main purpose of Auto Upload is to remove the manual running of the Get Data process and to move the processing to a non-productive time such as overnight.

Test the Auto Upload can be run manually

We recommend you test the Auto Upload manually to ensure it is running correctly. For more information, see Test the Auto Upload can be run manually.

How to set up Auto Upload

To setup Auto Upload, please follow these instructions. Note that these instructions are dependant on the version of windows you run and may vary slightly. It is also highly recommended that you get your IT personnel to setup the scheduled task.

Click Start, then Control Panel, then Administrative Tools, then Task Scheduler;
In the Task Scheduler form, select Create Basic Task;
Enter a Name for the task (for example ExcelReportLink Get Data) and click Next;
In the Task Trigger form, select the period for the Auto Upload to occur and click Next;
In the Daily form, enter the Start date and time that the first Auto Upload will occur and click Next;
In the Action form, select Start a program and click Next;
In the Start a Program form, click Browse… and select the AddonsLink.GetData.exe file in the ExcelReportLink System folder and click Open. The path will display in the Program/script field. Click Next;
In the Summary form, select Open the Properties dialog for this task when I click Finish and click Finish;
In the General tab, select Run whether user is logged on or not. If you do not have Administrator rights then click Change User or Group… and change the user to be the Administrator. Click the Actions tab;
In the Actions tab, click Edit. The Edit Action dialog box will appear.
In the Settings tab, tick the checkbox Stop the task if it runs longer than: and choose 2 hours in the dropdown next to it;
In the Settings tab, tick the checkbox If the running task does not end when requested, force it to stop;
In the Program/script field, ensure that the path is a UNC path and not a mapped drive. A UNC path begins with the server name. Click OK to close the Edit Action dialog box and click OK to close the Properties dialog box. Enter your password if required.
To test the Auto Upload process, select Task Scheduler Library to the left of the Task Scheduler form. Select the Auto Upload task and click Run.

Notes

When choosing a time to run the auto upload process, ensure your chosen time does not conflict with backups or other system processes.

When browsing to the AddonsLink.GetData.exe file, ensure that the path is a UNC path and not a mapped drive. A UNC path begins with the server name.

For older versions of ExcelReportLink, you will need to browse to the Excel.exe and include the UNC path to the Auto Upload.xls file located in the system folder.

Test the Auto Upload Scheduled Task is configured correctly

Once the Auto Upload Scheduled tasks is configured, we recommend you test it. For more information, see Test the Auto Upload Scheduled Task is configured correctly.

Troubleshooting the Auto Upload Scheduled Task

If the Auto Upload scheduled task does not run or does not finish, see Troubleshooting Auto Upload Problems.