Matching your file's columns
How to tell Breaktape which column in your file is which, what it must have, and how the final flag works.
Every timing company and registration platform names its columns differently. After you upload a file, the Match columns screen lets you tell Breaktape what each column holds. Breaktape suggests a match for most columns, and remembers your choices for next time.
Match your columns
The screen lists every column in your file, with:
- Column in your file: the heading as it appears in your file.
- First values: a few values from the column, so you can see what's in it.
- Breaktape field: what the column feeds.
- Read down the list and check each suggested match.
- Change any that are wrong using the drop-down.
- For columns you don't need, choose Don't import this column.
- Select Check the rows.
Breaktape then checks every row and takes you to the review.
The fields you can choose
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bib number, Entry reference | How results are matched to your entry list. |
| First name, Last name, Full name (we'll split it) | A full name is split into first and last. A single name goes in as a first name. |
| Where the medal is sent. | |
| Mobile number | Kept with the entry. Medals aren't sent by text yet. |
| Category, Club | Category is also how ages are read in mixed-age races. |
| Race, Distance | Which race each row belongs to. Needed when the file covers more than one race. |
| Wave | Must match the wave names set up on the race. |
| Chip time, Gun time | A plain "Time" column is read as each finisher's own time. |
| Overall position, Category position | Shown on the medal if your design includes them. |
| Status (finished, DNF, DQ) | Blank with a time counts as finished. |
| Final or provisional | See below. |
| Split time | Kept with the result. You can match several columns to this. |
| Charity, Amount raised | Amounts are read as pounds and pence. |
What every file needs
You can't carry on until a column is matched to each of these:
- a bib number (or an entry reference)
- a first name or full name
- a time or a status
If one is missing, you'll see Some columns still need matching, with what to add.
The final column
Medals are only ever made from final results. "Final" means the timing company has signed off that runner's result as official.
When you uploaded the file, you said whether the whole file is final or provisional. If your file also has a column saying final or provisional for each runner, match it to Final or provisional. That column then decides for each runner:
- Final: Y, Yes, True, 1, Final, Official or Confirmed
- Not final: N, No, False, 0, Provisional, Prov, Unofficial or Pending
- Blank: the runner follows what you said at upload
A value Breaktape can't read gets a warning, and that runner also follows what you said at upload.
Good to know
- Breaktape saves your matches. The next file with the same columns is matched for you, and you'll see We recognised this layout. Check the matches and carry on.
- Some columns are never imported, such as emergency contacts, date of birth, gender, address and pace. Leave them as Don't import this column.
- If the file has no chip time, a gun time is turned into each runner's own time using their wave start. See Waves and start times.
- Once you've selected Check the rows, the matches for that file are fixed. To change them, upload the file again.
Related guides
Next in ResultsReviewing problems before you approve
Still stuck?
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