Importing and adding data into Confluence database

Question

I have created some dated statistics in Excel which I had to export as a csv file as it is a supported file type for Confluence database import option.

I found that I couldn't use the import to also create the necessary columns, I had to do those first, which was ok.

However, upon reviewing the import, I noted that all the dates had been read as if they were M/D/YYYY which, in New Zealand is incorrect, it is D/M/YYYY. In the import, there is no way to correct this.

Either Confluence should accept Excel files which would tell Confluence the format of a date, or the import option should include setting the format of the date of the csv file.

As an alternative to import, I attempted to copy and paste from Excel into the database which resulted in the entire table pasting into the first cell of the first row.

All in all, I am finding this database quite frustrating, a backwards step in functionality from tables which I loathed before but compared to the usability of this, at least I could get data into it, even if I didn't have the ability to set up views based on filters of it.

I don't think there is a user workaround or fix to this, but I consider it to be a bug, even a showstopper of Confluence databases. Is there a roadmap for fixing such issues? Thanks

Update

I got ChatGPT to convert all my dates as text to US format (because Excel reinterprets as a date again) and on the import, it reads it in the format that it wants to but every date is one month out - what is wrong with this import function? Terrible

Mia Tamm _Simpleasyty_ · Answer

That NZ date example is painful 😅

Out of curiosity, is the goal here really “use a Confluence Database”, or simply “keep this dataset in Confluence and let people filter/view it”? Those lead to quite different options.

Matt_Lightbourn · Answer

Thanks for your response, unfortunately marketplace pricing model doesn't work for an enterprise, per user licenses is not doable and Atlassian has bitten the bullet by adding a database functionality, it's just their MVP falls short of it being usable.

I also wish they had considered the ability to be relational, lookup values from one table in another for things like dropdowns to link records to each other. This would be especially useful for what I want it to be for which is to relate the attributes from Reports to data sources as a part of my documentation set.

The only way I've been able to achieve this is using AirTable but yet again, it would require onboarding all my Confluence users into AirTable which the business definitely will not do.

I'm just stuck with half-baked tools that don't do quite enough to add value.

Juliette Lallement _Elements Apps_ · Answer

Hi @Matt_Lightbourn

If you're open to Marketplace alternatives, I can suggest you the app Elements Spreadsheet. It's very simple to use, you can import Excel spreadsheets and edit them directly in Confluence. You can do all the basic stuff Excel allows you to do.

We recently added another macro - Project Tables - that has a Confluence table look and feel with the added value of Excel formulas and conditional coloring which is quite powerful for data insights. It can be quite useful for project management or collaborative trackers.

I hope this helps!