How to Format Your XLSX File for Glossary Import

This article explains how to prepare your .xlsx file for glossary import in the Bureau Works platform.

Basic Structure

The minimum requirement for creating a glossary via .xlsx import is to include at least one locale column in your file.
From there, you may add any desired metadata fields for each locale.

Bureau Works uses the following default pattern for locale groups:

[locale, case, definition, forbidden, gender, note, part of speech, status, term type, usage]

Note: While following this exact sequence is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended for consistency and ease of use. Any combination and order of metadata fields is acceptable, provided they follow the structure:

locale, metadata1, metadata2, ..., locale, metadata1, metadata2, ...

Locale Format

Locale codes are accepted in either of the following formats:

With underscore: en_us, pt_br
With hyphen: en-us, pt-br

When a locale includes a country code, always use one of these formats to ensure proper processing.

Example

If importing glossary entries for both U.S. English and Brazilian Portuguese, your header might be:

In both examples:

Metadata fields for each locale are grouped together and preceded by the locale code.
The same structure applies to each locale included.
Alternative orders are allowed, as long as the locale, metadata1, metadata2... pattern is maintained.

Adding Custom Metadata

In addition to the standard metadata fields, it is possible to import custom attributes via .xlsx.

To add a custom attribute, use the format:

AttributeName:Type

For example:

PLCT:single_value

This imports a custom attribute named PLCT with the type single_value.

Supported Types for Custom Attributes

The following types are supported:

single_select – A single option selected from a predefined list.
multi_select – Multiple options selected from a predefined list.
single_value – A single free-text value. Boolean values (true / false) may also be used in this format.

Practical Examples

Attribute Name & Type	Example Value in XLSX	Description
`Status:single_select`	Approved	Selects one value from a predefined list (e.g., Approved, Pending, Rejected).
`Category:multi_select`	Marketing; SEO	Selects multiple values from a predefined list, separated by a semicolon.
`Description:single_value`	Product-specific technical term	Single free-text value without restriction to a predefined list.
`Is_Active:single_value`	true	Boolean value (`true` or `false`) entered as a single_value.

Any metadata not part of the standard UI fields can be added in this format and will be recognized by the Bureau Works platform as a custom attribute.

Summary

To ensure a successful glossary import:

Include at least one locale column (minimum requirement).
Use the locale_flavor format, with either underscore (en_us) or hyphen (en-us).
Follow the locale, metadata1, metadata2, ..., locale, metadata1, ... structure.
For custom attributes, use AttributeName:Type with one of the supported formats: single_select, multi_select, or single_value (which can also store boolean values).

Following these guidelines will ensure full compatibility with the Bureau Works platform.