How to upload emissions data into NetNada

Last updated: 10 April 2026

Data Uploader Task Manager

Data Uploader Walkthrough

The Carbon Data Uploader converts raw business records into emissions reports through a six-step AI-assisted workflow. You can access it in two ways: directly from a task in the Task Manager (where the node and category are pre-selected), or via Measure > Data Templates > Upload.

In this article, you'll learn how to:

Upload a spreadsheet or invoice and select the correct tab
Review AI-suggested column mappings and correct them if needed
Validate your data before import
Monitor background processing and find your imported records

Prerequisites

Before starting an upload, you need three things:

A data file — A PDF, Excel (.xlsx), or CSV file containing your activity or spend data
A node — Know which facility or entity this data relates to
An active reporting period — Confirm the data falls within an active reporting period

The Six-Step Workflow

Select location and category

Choose the organisational node and GHG emissions category (e.g., "Purchased Goods and Services") from the dropdowns. If you started from a task, these are pre-filled.

Choose calculation method

Select Activity Based for specific measurements (e.g., litres of fuel, kWh of electricity) or Spend Data when only financial records are available.

Upload your file and select the tab

Drag and drop your file or browse to select it. For multi-tab Excel files, select the specific tab containing your data. A preview shows the contents so you can confirm you've selected the right one — useful if you've been given a file from someone else.

Map your columns

NetNada reads your spreadsheet headers and uses AI to map them to the required fields. Fields marked with a red Required tag must be mapped. The AI symbol indicates a suggested mapping — review and adjust if needed. You can also choose not to map optional columns.

Validate your data

A sample check ensures format compliance and flags errors like incorrect date formatting, missing values, or blank rows before import. Review the mapping summary: for example, "Contact Name" mapped to "Supplier Name", "Description" mapped to "Purchase Category Description".

Review and start import

Confirm all required fields are mapped (displayed as a ratio like 4/4), then click Start Import.

Background Processing

After clicking Start Import, the processing runs in the background. You can close the page and continue working — NetNada will notify you when it's done. An alert box shows real-time progress: mapping suppliers, running calculations, and final status.

Once complete, click View File to go directly to your file in Files and Submissions, where you can see the individual records, search by supplier, and verify the import.

Submission Methods by Category

Different GHG categories support different upload methods:

Category	Methods available
Purchased goods and services	Spreadsheet upload (row-by-row transactions)
Electricity	Spreadsheet upload or drag-and-drop invoices (OCR processing)
Waste	Spreadsheet upload or drag-and-drop invoices (OCR processing)
Business travel	Spreadsheet upload
Employee commuting	Built-in calculator

Template Downloads

Each task and category has a downloadable template showing the required and optional fields. Download a blank template from the task view or the data templates page. Hover over the question mark icon on each field for a description of what's expected.

For purchased goods and services, the fields include: dates, spend amount, currency, supplier name, purchase category description, transaction ID, account code, account name, and account type.

Always prioritise Activity Data (e.g., litres of fuel, kWh of electricity) over Spend Data (dollars spent) whenever possible. Activity data provides a much more accurate reflection of your actual emissions.

NetNada uses DD/MM/YYYY date format by default.

FAQ

Can I upload data without going through a task?

Yes. Use Measure > Data Templates to upload directly. You'll need to select the node manually since it won't be pre-filled from a task.

What if my spreadsheet has different column names than NetNada expects?

The AI mapping handles this automatically. It reads your headers and maps them to the closest match. You can always override the suggestions manually in the mapping step.

Can I upload multiple files for the same task?

Yes. Each upload is tracked separately in the task's submitted data table. You might upload Q1 and Q2 data as separate files for the same category.

What happens if my file has errors?

The validation step catches most errors before import. If errors are found after import, the file will show an error status in Files and Submissions with details on which rows failed and why.

Troubleshooting

Unmapped required fields

Ensure all fields marked as Required are mapped to a column in your spreadsheet. Check that column headers are present and not blank.

Validation failures

Format errors are the most common cause. Check date formats (DD/MM/YYYY), number formatting, and ensure no blank rows in your data.

Blank preview after tab selection

You may have selected the wrong tab in a multi-tab Excel file. Go back and select the correct tab containing your data.

Audit Page How to use emissions data templates and smart upload How to manage your emissions measurement tasks Understanding your files and submissions