# Best Practices

## Recommended setup

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Use consistent sheet names</strong></td><td>If you're importing from multiple sheets, keep their names consistent. When you rename a sheet in Excel, you'll need to update your data flow configuration to match.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Keep headers in the first row</strong></td><td>Always ensure your Excel files have column headers in row 1. Coupler.io uses these to understand your data structure, and they make consolidation much easier if you're using multiple sheets.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Combine sheets with Append</strong></td><td>If you have the same data structure across multiple sheets (e.g., regional sales data), use the Append transformation to stack them into a single dataset instead of importing them separately.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Data refresh and scheduling

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Run a manual test first</strong></td><td>Always execute a manual run before setting up a schedule. This confirms the data flow works and shows you exactly what data will be imported — catching configuration errors early.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Schedule around file edits</strong></td><td>If your Excel file is being edited regularly (e.g., by a team member), schedule imports during times when the file is typically not in use. This avoids importing partial or conflicting data.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Performance optimization

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Use ranges for large files</strong></td><td>If your Excel file is very large, specify a cell range (e.g., A1:Z500) instead of importing everything. This speeds up imports and reduces the chance of timeouts.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Remove blank rows and columns</strong></td><td>Clean up your Excel file before connecting — delete unused rows and columns, especially empty rows scattered through your data. This improves import speed and data quality.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Common pitfalls

{% columns %}
{% column %}
**Do**

* Use the file picker to select files — it ensures you pick the right file and path
* Test with a smaller range first if your file is large
* Keep your source file organized with clear headers and minimal blank rows
* Reconnect your account if you see permission errors
  {% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
**Don't**

* Manually type file paths or IDs — always use the file picker
* Edit your Excel file while a data flow is running
* Leave blank rows in the middle of your data
* Assume sheet names are case-insensitive — Excel is picky about exact names
  {% endcolumn %}
  {% endcolumns %}