Introduction

Meter Readings can be added in manually, via the Data Edit Spreadsheet Activity or they can be added via a CSV File.

The File can be created using the Self Read Values and Forecasts Report and then imported, or the file can be created separately if required.

Both ways are explained below.

Creating the CSV File using the Self Read Values and Forecasts Report

If you want visibility of previous Meter Readings, and details of the Site etc, you can use the Self Read Values and Forecasts Report in Sigma. Once you have downloaded the Report, update with the current values, remove additional columns and Iiport using the Importing Activity.

Running the Report

Selecting the Sites or Meters

Open the Reporting Activity
Select the Sites or Meters that you want to enter Meter Readings for

Selecting the Report

From the right hand side, search and highlight the Self Read Values and Forecasts Report
Choose option 4 - (4) LATEST METER READS....
If you have selected Sites, choose the Commodity
Enter the date range you want to see historic reads for

Click Run Report and wait for the Report to appear on screen

Downloading the CSV File

Once the Report appears on screen, click to download

Understanding the Report

The report will show the historic readings for the time period chosen, along with fields to enter the current readings and information about the Site.

Column/Heading	Description	Example
1st Heading	Name of the Report	Self read channels values
2nd Heading	Date range of the Report	for date range: 8 April 2017 to 8 April 2021
Column A	Channel - the name of the Channel Data Load ID	E12345EE
Column B	Date -Initially empty, the field is used to enter the date of the Meter Reading	08/04/2021
Column C	Time - defaults to midday	12:00:00
Column D	Value - Initially empty, the field is used to enter the Meter Reading value	85744
Column E	Status - defaults to 4 which is a status of 'No Errors'	4
Column F	Prev Read Date - the date of the most recent Meter Reading	29/07/2020
Column G	Prev Read Value - the value of the most recent Meter Reading	4250
Column H	Prior Date 1 - the date of the 2nd most recent reading	28/07/2020
Column I	Prior Read 1 - the value of the 2nd most recent reading	4101
Column J	Prior Read 2 - the value of the 3rd most recent reading	13587
Column K	Meter Location - if entered in the Meter Editor	Understairs cupboard
Column L	Commodity	Electricity
Column M	Meter# - the Meter Number from the Meter Editor	E12345EE
Column N	MeterID Meter round order - The Meter ID from the Meter Editor	E12345EE
Column O	Site	LA Booker Library
Column P	Site Group	Local Authority
Column Q	Organisation	TRAINING ACADEMY

Adding the Meter Readings to the File

Columns A to E will need to be saved and imported. The other Columns are for information only and to help you establish which Channel belongs to which Site, and the previous meter readings to help you check the readings you are about to enter.

Add the date of the reading to Column B - it is important it is in the correct format, 8th April 2021 will need to be entered as 08/04/2021
Add the Meter Reading value to Column D
Column E defaults to 4 - this is the status that will appear in the Channel. 4 is 'No Errors'

Saving the File

Delete any rows that you do not have new Meter Readings for
Delete Rows 1 - 5 (leaving the Column Headers and the lines of data)
Delete Columns F - Q (leaving Columns A - E)
The file will then look like this:

Save as a CSV File ready to import

Creating the CSV File separately

If you do not want to use the Self Read Values and Forecasts Report, you can create the CSV File yourself.

Click below to download the sample template
- Self_Read_Channel_Values___Forecast_sample file.csv
Using Columns A - E, enter the data as below:

Delete the sample line of data
Save as a CSV File ready to import

Importing the Data

Whether you have used the Report or created the CSV file using the above template, either is imported in the same way.

Use the Non Periodic Channel Importer to import the data
Click below for details on how to import
- Importing Data Manually

Sigma Online User Manual

Entering Manual Meter Readings in bulk (using a CSV File)