Outcomes Data File Checklist

Overview

Use this checklist to make sure your outcomes data file meets all requirements before uploading. Taking a few minutes to review these items will help avoid errors during the upload process.

Before You Start

Identify which data type you are uploading: undergraduate/First Destination data or MBA/Specialty Master's data, as each follows different guidelines.
Download your institution-specific template from Analyze > Student Outcomes > Upload Data. This template includes the exact column names required for your platform.

Formatting Checklist

Please be sure to review our First Destination Outcomes Data Formatting Guidelines here first and then continue reviewing the checklist:

✅ Column headers match exactly

Headers must match the template precisely — no extra spaces, symbols, or spelling variations. Even small differences (e.g., "Academic Division-School" instead of "Academic Division/School") will prevent a successful upload.

✅ Keep Undergraduate and Graduate Data separate

You can only include one student type per outcomes file. This means you should not mix undergraduate and graduate data in a single upload. If you want to include outcomes for both student types, you need to create separate files for each, such as one file for undergraduate students and another for graduate (Master's or PhD) students. If you'd like to upload and visualize data for multiple student types, you will need a separate Outcomes Data module for each group. For more details or setup guidance, please reach out to your Customer Success Manager

✅ Multiple class years are OK in one file

You can and should consolidate class years into a single master file (e.g., Class of 2021, 2022, and 2023 in one upload).

✅ One row per student

Each row should represent one student's outcomes record.

✅ User ID and User Email included (optional but strongly encouraged)

The updated template includes two designated columns — User ID and User Email — for student identifiers. These are protected fields that will never be visible to students or appear in any public-facing area of your platform.

✅ Separate multiple values with semicolons

If a student pursued more than one academic major, then list both majors in the “Program Name/Major” column and use semicolons to separate the values - not commas. Example: Business; Economics

ℹ️ What Changed

If you have uploaded outcomes data before, you may have been asked to remove student identifiers prior to submitting your file. That guidance has been updated.

User ID and User Email now have dedicated, protected columns in the template, and we encourage you to include them. Including this data now sets your institution up for the upcoming Engagement Score feature, which will connect career engagement activity to individual student outcomes.

Student names should still not be included in your file.

📌 Please Note

The User ID you include should match the identifier used in your platform's SSO configuration. If you are unsure which format to use, reach out to our support team before uploading.

✅ Required fields are complete

All required columns (such as Outcome Type) must have a value in every row. Blank required cells will generate upload errors.

✅ No extra spaces in entries

Trailing or leading spaces in cell values can cause duplicate entries or mismatches in your data.

✅ Outcome Type values are valid

Each row must include a recognized Outcome Type value as listed in the formatting guidelines (e.g., Employed Full Time, Seeking Continuing Education). Do not leave any values blank. Even if a student did not complete your FDS survey, create an outcomes type such as “Did not respond” or use “Still Seeking.”

✅ File is saved as CSV or Excel

The platform accepts .csv and .xlsx files.

Optional: Experiential Learning Participation Column

If your data includes an Experiential Learning Participation column, you can now include multiple values per student, separated by a semicolon. For example:

Paid Internship;Study Abroad
Paid Internship;Volunteer Experience;Research