How to Import Reads
Roles: Admin, Billing Managers, Meter Readers
Last Updated: April 2025
The NextCentury platform offers the flexibility to enter manual meter reads either by use of the Manual Reads mobile app or by importing a .csv file, regardless of the reading method used. This allows for standardized reads, alerts, consumption reports, and more to be viewed remotely at any time.
Reads are securely stored on the NextCentury Cloud, allowing users to view up to 6 months of read history conveniently and securely.
This article outlines how to import read files to existing manual read properties within the NextCentury Web Portal. For information on how to create a manual read property, see Manual Read Properties.
How to import a read file
Gather the data from the manual reads and compile them into a spreadsheet file. Be sure to gather the same data points for each unit.
In the spreadsheet, each row will correspond to a single unit, while each column will represent one data type. Column headers are not required. Data can be arranged by the device serial number or by the meter serial number.
- Device OR Meter serial number*
- The date of the reading**
- The meter read
* The device serial number is a 6-digit number preceded by BF. This number is automatically generated by the NextCentury Web Portal when a manual read property is first created. The meter serial number is the serial number of the submeter itself and can only be used if this information has been entered into the NextCentury portal.
** Supported date formats include:
- MM/DD/YY
- MM/DD/YYYY
- MM-DD-YY
- MM-DD-YYYY
- Time of reading*
- Meter multiplier
* Supported time formats include:
- HH:MM
- HH:MM:SS
Read files must be formatted correctly to be imported. CSV and XLSX files can be used.
Drag the file over the Web Portal while on the property page of the property you're uploading reads for.
An option to upload the file will then appear. Choose the Upload Reads option.
The contents of the read file will appear in the Import Reads window.
Click on the column header to identify what data appears in the column.
Once the data has been correctly identified, the column will turn green and the check-box will indicate the selection.
If there are any issues with the reads, they will be identified by a change in color. Hover over the reads for an explanation of the issue that needs to be corrected.
Once all the required reads and any optional data have been identified, review the imported reads.
Select Import Reads to finish and save.
Read data will then be visible on the property.
Clicking on the blue "File" icon on the Unit screen will open a window containing a copy of the read file with the selected unit's data highlighted.
There is also an option to redownload the original file, if required.