Importing and Exporting CSV

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Introduction

To aid in mass channel configuration and changes, HLS allows the user to export channel information to CSV (Comma Separated Values). This is a common text-based data export that can be imported in various programs, such as Excel. This exported data can then be viewed in another program, modified, and then imported back into HLS.


  • Some potential uses for this feature include:
    • Adjusting channel information
    • Creating new channels
    • Printing channel information


Exporting Data to CSV

  • To export your channel data, open the channel manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).
  • In the bottom-right of the window, click Export CSV File.
  • A window will open confirming that the export is complete.
  • The location of the exported file will be inside the HLS folder for the sequence you exported information from.
    • Ex.: Channel info exported from a sequence named "Carol". Go into the HLS/Carol folder and the exported file will be named Carol Export.csv.

Working With Exported Data

  • Note: For this example, Excel will be used, but any program that can manipulate CSV files will work.
  • Open the exported file in Excel.
  • The Channel information will be listed in column format with headings explaining what each column value is for.
    • Guid: This is a unique identifier given by HLS for that channel.
    • Current Name: The current name of the channel.
    • Universe: DMX Universe the channel is assigned to.
    • Channel: Output channel assignment.
    • RGB: Boolean value (0 or 1) for whether the channel is RGB.
    • Prev Group: Preview Group assignment.
    • Prev Number: Preview Group Number.
    • New Name: This field is used by HLS when channels are being renamed.
  • Make desired changes Excel. Know that HLS is unable to apply any error-correction for values you put in here since you are modifying it outside of HLS.
  • If you add channels, you will not have a GUID. HLS will assign this on import.


Importing CSV Data Into HLS

  • Once changes have been made, save the CSV file.
  • Go ahead and save your HLS sequence in case there is a problem with the import.
  • Click Manage Channels -> Import CSV and Update Raw Channels.
  • You will be prompted with a warning about saving your sequence. Click YES since you have already saved (Or click NO and save now).


  • There are two ways to import the data:
    • Import based on GUID: Import and use the GUID when making changes to channel data.
    • Import based on Current Name: Ignore the GUID field on import and copy any changes based on the Current Name field.


  • Specific actions to take with the imported data:
    • Replace Current Name with New Name: The "original" name of the channel will be replaced with the one you have entered into "new name".
    • Replace Universe Number: Overwrite old DMX Universe number with data from CSV.
    • Replace Channel Number: Overwrite old Output Channel number with data from CSV.
    • Replace Preview Group: Overwrite old Preview Group number with data from CSV.
    • Replace Preview Number: Overwrite old Preview Number with data from CSV.


  • Once you have made the selections you need, click OK.
  • Select your CSV file to import from and click open.
  • HLS will now import the CSV data and will let you know how many matches were made, then save your sequence.


  • Important: If you create NEW channels in CSV, you MUST FIRST create empty channels in the raw channel manager so HLS has a place to move that data into the sequence. If you do not do this, the data from those new channels will not be imported.


  • Creating channels before importing new ones.
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