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Handling Sheets with Missing Row Identifiers

When you upload a spreadsheet sheet, one of the first things Decode tries to do is find and map the Row Identifier column you defined when creating the Table.

If Decode cannot automatically find a matching column in the spreadsheet for your designated Row Identifier, the sheet's status will become MissingRowIdentifier.

Why is this Status Critical?​

The Row Identifier is essential for Decode to function correctly:

  • Tracking Records: It's the unique key used to distinguish between different policies, claims, or other entities.
  • Updating Data: When new data arrives (e.g., next month's premium), Decode uses the Row Identifier to find the existing record and update it (or add a new dynamic period).
  • Preventing Duplicates: It ensures that the same policy or claim isn't accidentally added multiple times.

Without a correctly mapped Row Identifier, Decode cannot safely ingest the data into your Table. Therefore, processing is paused until you manually provide the correct mapping.

How to Resolve MissingRowIdentifier Status​

  1. Locate the Sheet: Find the sheet with the MissingRowIdentifier status in the recent uploads section.

  2. Open for Review: Click the "Review" button for that sheet. This opens the Preview & Mapping Dialog.

  3. Identify the Row ID Row: In the Mapping Table section, find the row corresponding to your Table's designated Row Identifier column (it will likely be highlighted or marked as unmapped).

  4. Select the Correct Mapping (Crucial Step):

    • Ensure the Mapping Type toggle is set to "Simple".
    • Click the dropdown in the "Mapping" column for the Row Identifier row.
    • Carefully select the spreadsheet column name from the list that actually contains the unique identifier (e.g., Policy #, Claim Ref, Member ID). Double-check this selection.

  5. Review Other Mappings: While you're here, review the rest of the mappings as described in Correcting Mappings. This is crucial because you once you approve the file, it will be ingested.

  6. Approve: Once you have correctly mapped the Row Identifier (and are satisfied with other mappings), click the "Approve" button.

What Happens Next?

  • Decode saves your manual mapping for the Row Identifier.
  • It adds the selected spreadsheet column name to the "possible values" for the Row Identifier Table column, helping it map automatically next time.
  • The sheet's status will change (e.g., to Ready or Processing), and Decode will proceed with the final data ingestion into your Table.

Resolving the MissingRowIdentifier status promptly by providing the correct mapping is essential for keeping your data flowing into Decode.

Next, let's look at Mapping Header Data.