> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dots.gitbook.io/dots-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dots.gitbook.io/dots-docs/project-prep/data-import/from-other-tools-to-dots.md).

# From other tools to Dots

### **Kobo to Dots** 

So you’ve exported your dataset from KOBO and now you want to get it ready to upload into **Dots**. Here’s how you can clean things up in a way that’s easy to follow.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Export Your KOBO Data**

First, head into KOBO and download your dataset as an **.xlsx file**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Remove Extra Fields**

* Take a look at your columns — some of them are just KOBO metadata you won’t need in Dots.
* Go ahead and delete any columns that aren’t actually needed for your upload.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Find the Multi-Select Columns**

KOBO exports multi-select questions by creating a separate column for each option.\
For example: **Main crops grown last year/Sunflower, Main crops grown last year/Pigeonpea**

<figure><img src="https://2208645187-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgczwnwqbMALFEXVtg0t1%2Fuploads%2FhWzG1yC3W6CPGajTqHqe%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=6097c274-4eb9-4b9b-b6ea-9d3d82972d36" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Combine Options into One Column**

In Dots, you don’t need a separate column for every option. Instead, **combine the selected options into one field** using a delimiter like `;` or `,`.

* So if someone picked Rice, Paddy and Soybean, your combined value should look like:\
  Rice\&Paddy\&Soybean

<figure><img src="https://2208645187-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FgczwnwqbMALFEXVtg0t1%2Fuploads%2FH7zfNYwGewLPmIrwXUPs%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=84e11122-67da-4f46-9c53-32904488eca7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Clean Up the Extra Columns**

Once you’ve moved all multi-select values into your single field, you can delete those individual option columns.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Quick Quality Check**

Give your sheet a quick scan:

* Are all combined values using the same delimiter?
* Any empty values to clean?
* Everything spelled consistently?
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Save It**

Save your cleaned .xlsx — this version is now ready to upload into Dots via Direct Import!
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}