Invariant format CSV files
If the data in a CSV file is not supplied in invariant format, it is possible that Data Validator will interpret the data as valid data and not return any validation errors on the export of the data. Therefore, you run a risk of not getting the intended data into the target system. For example, submitting a value of 1.001 would be interpreted as 1 with three decimal places, when the intention may have been 1001, as the decimal point was really a thousand separator. Similar conditions can occur with dates.
If you import a CSV file that is not in invariant format, you must use computed columns to convert the data to invariant format. This applies to all dates, time offsets, and numerics in localized format.
Data Validator uses the invariant format as defined by SmartPlant Foundation as follows:
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Date Time Format: yyyy/MM/dd - HH:mm:ss:fff
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Timezone: GMT with no day light savings adjustment
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Year Month Day Format: yyyy/MM/dd
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Numeric format:
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Thousand separator ","
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Decimal separator "."
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For more information on using computed columns and functions, see Use the Computed column and Functions.