Uploading
your own prescreen list
Please ensure you are selecting the appropriate billing subcode. Your organization's invoice will reflect the subcode you select. If you are unsure of which subcode to use, please contact your Security Designate.
*Please print these instructions so you can refer
to them during the upload process.
Is there a required file format
for my list?
Uploaded files in iScreen require a comma separated
(.CSV) file format; also known as an ASCII text file. When uploading a list,
each consumer’s name and address should be treated as a record, with one entry
per line/row. For example, when using Excel, each field will have it’s own column.
Note: saving the file from Excel as a .CSV automatically places a
‘,’ in the field if no information is present in the column.
Tip: You can check to make sure your format is correct by
opening your .CSV file in Notepad. Each field must either contain information
or have a ‘,’ as a place-holder.
How many columns are required in
my list?
Your list must contain THIRTEEN columns (one column for each field) and must be
presented in a specific order.
What order should my columns be
in?
The list that you supply needs to be in the following
order so the iScreen system can correctly interpret
your data. Your list must contain THIRTEEN columns (one column for each field)
and must be presented in the following order:
*required fields in bold with yellow highlight
|
Column
# |
Field
name |
Special
handling requirements |
|
One |
Last
name |
Alpha
only including spaces and - and ' |
|
Two |
First
name |
Minimum
of 2 letters – alpha only including spaces and - and ' |
|
Three |
Middle
name |
Alpha
only including spaces and - and ' |
|
Four |
Second
surname |
Alpha
only including spaces and - and ' |
|
Five
|
Generation
code |
Acceptable
generation codes include: Jr, Sr, II, III, IV, V,
VI, VII, VIII or IX |
|
Six |
First
line of address |
Alphanumeric
including spaces . ' - # / . ^ |
|
Seven |
Second
line of address |
Alphanumeric
including spaces . ' - # / ^ |
|
Eight |
City |
Alphanumeric
including spaces . ' - # / ^ |
|
Nine |
State |
Alphanumeric
including spaces . ' - # / ^ |
|
Ten |
ZIP |
5
or 9 digits |
|
Eleven |
Social
security number |
9
numeric digits with or without hyphens or slashes |
|
Twelve |
Date
of birth |
MM/DD/YYYY
or MM/DD/YY or YYYY |
|
Thirteen |
Reference
# |
Alphanumeric
including spaces ' - # . / ^ |
Examples
ALBERTINI,RICHARD,J,,,1536 3RD AVE,,,GAINSVILLE,FL,32603
BENEDETTO,FRANK,V,,SR,2472 APPALOOSA TRL,,,WELLINGTON,FL,33414
BIANCO,JOSEPH,P,,JR,15 BLUEBILL AVE,,APT 104,NAPLES,FL,34108
1234567890,03/27/1964,009988
Are field names or headers
required on my list?
No, field names will cause your list to be rejected and should not be included.
If your Excel spreadsheet includes column headings, please delete that row
prior to uploading your list. For Access database queries or tables, make sure the“Include Field Names on First Row” box is unchecked.
How do I format zip codes if they
contain leading zeros?
This step must be completed prior to conversion to
comma separated (.CSV) file format. If your spreadsheet contains ZIP codes with
leading zeros and it's converted to .CSV, the ZIP code values are reduced to
four-digits. This will cause the application to flag the ZIP code as an error
and will not allow you to upload your list.
In Excel, simply right click on the column header and select 'Format Cells',
select the 'Number' tab, then select 'Special' from the Category section and
select 'ZIP Code' from the Type section.
Are there any characters I should
avoid using in my list?
When uploading your .CSV file, fields must NOT contain
formatting symbols, such as HTML code. The text must be plain ASCII text.
Symbols such as: ! @ $ % ^ & * ( ) + = \ will
cause the file to be rejected in the validation step.
How many records should my list
contain?
Your list should contain a minimum of 100 records and
a maximum of 100,000 records.
1. Did your list start out as an Excel or Access with exactly THIRTEEN
columns (one column for each field)?
2. Are the columns of your list presented in the correct order?
3. Have you formatted your ZIP code column correctly?
4. Does your list contain any illegal characters?
How do I convert my Excel
spreadsheet to a comma separated file format (.CSV)?
The Excel file can be converted to the required format by selecting 'File…Save
as' and selecting .CSV (comma delimited) from the 'Save as type' dropdown menu.
Note: saving the file from Excel as a .CSV automatically places a ‘,’
in the field if no information is present in the column.
Tip: You can check to make sure your format is correct by opening your
newly saved .CSV file in Notepad (from the 'Start' button, choose 'Programs',
'Accessories', 'Notepad'). Each field must either contain information or have a
‘,’ as a placeholder.
How do I convert my Access query or
table to comma separated file format (.CSV)?
The following instructions are for saving a table,
however, the process is identical for saving a query. In Access, open your
table in Design view and make sure “Text” is your Data
Type.
Choose "File", "Save as/Export"
Select the radio button "To an External File or Database" and click
the "OK" button.
Choose location where you want to save your file. Choose Text Files as Save as
Type. Click Export.
By default, "Delimited - Characters such as comma or tab separate each
field" radio button should be selected. Click the "Next" button.
By default, the "Comma" radio button under "Choose the delimiter
that separates your fields:" should be selected. Click the
"Next" step button.
Click the "Finish" button.
Click the "OK" button.
Your file has been exported into .CSV format and is now ready to
be uploaded into the iScreen system.
If you still have issues validating your list, please contact
Experian Technical Support at 1-800-854-7201.