---
title: "How to Scan a File"
slug: "how-to-scan-a-file"
description: "Test Modeller can scan files that are in XML, JSON or CSV format, or it can scan data that has already been imported into a Data List."
tags: ["Learning Portal", "Test Data Automation", "Test Data Automation 101"]
updated: 2024-09-27T14:30:27Z
published: 2024-09-27T14:30:27Z
canonical: "knowledge.curiositysoftware.ie/how-to-scan-a-file"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.curiositysoftware.ie/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Scan a File

[Embedded content](https://www.youtube.com/embed/zVFVMNKcwz4?&wmode=opaque&rel=0)

To implement a Test Data Activity in Enterprise Test Data a Definition is required. For files this involves scanning a file.

Scanning a file can be accomplished in two locations:

1. Within the Files tab of the Data Dictionary, a procedure involving multiple steps which we will detail here
2. Within the Definitions tab of the Data Dictionary, an integrated process during the creation of a definition, to be explained later.

Enterprise Test Data has the capability to scan files in [XML](/kb/docs/how-to-scan-a-file#1-scan-an-xml), [JSON](/kb/docs/how-to-scan-a-file#3-scan-a-json), or [CSV](/kb/docs/how-to-scan-a-file#2-scan-a-csv)formats, or alternatively, it can scan data already imported into a [Data List](/kb/docs/how-to-scan-a-file#4-scan-a-data-list).

---

## 1. Scan an XML

To scan an XML file, begin in the Data Dictionary, by clicking on Data Dictionary in the Master Data Management section of the Navigation Panel.

#### 1.1 Create New Schema

Click on the / Files tab. The main pane changes to the File Schemas pane. Click on + New Schema.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187305202.png)

#### 1.2 Schema Details

The New File Schema panel appears. Enter a Name, select XML from the dropdown and enter a Description, then click on < Save.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187310802.png)

#### 1.3 Schema Created

The new schema appears in the table on the Files tab. To the left of the name is a number showing how many scans have been attached into the file schema. Right now, it says 0. We need to scan a file.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187316817.png)

#### 1.4 Create Schema Scan

Click on the name of the schema. The main pane changes to the Schema Details pane. Click on + Create schema scan.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187323133.png)

#### 1.5 Select File Schema

The Create File Schema Scan browse box appears. Click on the Browse button and select the file you want to scan.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187327598.png)

The Create File Schema Scan browse box now shows the file, and a warning that an XSD schema will be extracted, and that if you already have an XSD file, you should use that. Click on OK.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187332309.png)

#### 1.6 Scan Complete

A Success notification appears, and a new scan appears in the table. In the File Schemas pane, the number of scanned files should now shows as 1.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187344494.png)

---

## 2 Scan a CSV

To scan a CSV file, begin in the Data Dictionary, by clicking on Data Dictionary in the Master Data Management section of the Navigation Panel.

#### 2.1 Create New Schema

Click on the / Files tab. The main pane changes to the File Schemas pane. Click on + New Schema.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187358560.png)

#### 2.2 Schema Details

The New File Schema panel appears. Enter a Name, select CSV from the dropdown and enter a Description, then click on < Save.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187363328.png)

#### 2.3 Schema Created

The new schema appears in the table on the Files tab. To the left of the name is a number showing how many files have been scanned into the schema. Right now, it says 0. We need to scan a file.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187368635.png)

#### 2.4 Create Schema Scan

Click on the name of the schema. The main pane changes to the Schema Details pane. Click on + Create schema scan.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187379646.png)

The Create File Schema Scan browse box appears. Click on the Browse button and select the file you want to scan, then click on OK.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187385462.png)

#### 2.5 Schema Scan Complete

A Success notification appears, and a new scan appears in the table

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187392401.png)

In the File Schemas pane, the number of scanned files now shows as 1

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187398890.png)

---

## 3 Scan a JSON

To scan a JSON file, begin in the Data Dictionary, by clicking on Data Dictionary in the Master Data Management section of the Navigation Panel.

#### 3.1 Create New Schema

Click on the / Files tab. The main pane changes to the File Schemas pane. Click on + New Schema

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187411888.png)

#### 3.2 Schema Details

The New File Schema panel appears. Enter a Name, select JSON from the dropdown and enter a Description, then click on < Save.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187416551.png)

#### 3.3 Schema Created

The new schema appears in the table on the Files tab. To the left of the name is a number showing how many files have been scanned into the schema. Right now, it says 0. We need to scan a file.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187423199.png)

#### 3.4 Create Schema Scan

Click on the name of the schema. The main pane changes to the Schema Details pane. Click on + Create schema scan.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187430902.png)

The Create File Schema Scan browse box appears. Click on the Browse button and select the file you want to scan.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187436817.png)

Use the Yes/No switch to select whether you are importing a JSON schema file (Yes) or a JSON sample file (No). In this case, the file is a sample file, so we click No. A warning that an JSON schema will be extracted, and that if you already have an JSON schema file, you should use that. Click on OK.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187442367.png)

#### 3.5 Schema Scan Complete

A Success notification appears, and a new scan appears in the table

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187449882.png)

In the File Schemas pane, the number of scanned files now shows as 1

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187454607.png)

---

## 4 Scan a Data List

To scan a data list file, begin in the Data Dictionary, by clicking on Data Dictionary in the Master Data Management section of the Navigation Panel.

#### 4.1 Create New Schema

Click on the / Files tab. The main pane changes to the File Schemas pane. Click on + New Schema.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187467818.png)

#### 4.2 Schema Details

The New File Schema panel appears. Enter a Name, select CSV from the dropdown and enter a Description, then click on < Save.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187472365.png)

#### 4.3 Schema Created

The new schema appears in the table on the Files tab. To the left of the name is a number showing how many files have been scanned into the schema. Right now, it says 0. We need to scan a list.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187476595.png)

#### 4.4 Create Schema Scan

Click on the name of the schema. The main pane changes to the Schema Details pane. Click on + Create schema scan.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187481237.png)

The Create File Schema Scan dropdown box appears. Select the List you want to scan, then click on OK

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187486581.png)

#### 4.5 Schema Scan Complete

A Success notification appears, and a new scan appears in the table

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187621996.png)

In the File Schemas pane, the number of scanned files now shows as 1

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187626079.png)

Enterprise Test Data is Curiosity's next generation solution for Test Data Management. The all-in-one platform for enterprise test data needs. Understand complex data, remove sensitive information, and generate rich data for your entire organisation.

## Related

- [Using Data Files in Enterprise Test Data](/using-data-files-in-test-modeller.md)