Automating CSV imports is an easy, robust way to import user data into your Bridge account via a scheduled CSV file. It’s designed for customers who want Bridge’s user management to be fully aligned with their HRIS or any other authoritative source of data.
Find out how to configure auto CSV for user management and provisioning in Bridge.
Considerations Before You Start
Auto CSV requires careful configuration because it treats your CSV as the single source of truth. This means:
- Any users not included in the CSV will be terminated in Bridge
- Any changes in the CSV will overwrite existing user data in Bridge
- Manual user management in the UI is disabled once auto CSV is active
Auto CSV should only be used when your CSV file meets the following conditions:
- It’s reliably generated
- It’s automatically maintained
- It’s owned by a trusted system (for example, an HRIS)
If this doesn’t match your current setup, manual CSV uploads might better suit your needs.
How Auto CSV Works in Bridge
Bridge runs the following process on a scheduled basis:
- Connects to a customer-hosted SFTP location
- Retrieves a CSV file with a fixed file name
- Uploads the file to a secure temporary location
- Processes the file using a pre-mapped format
- Updates users in Bridge to exactly match the CSV contents
Tip: Always test your CSV output manually before enabling auto CSV—this helps catch missing users, incorrect UIDs, or formatting issues early.
Automated CSV Logic and Actions
Bridge applies the following logic:
| Scenario | What Bridge Does |
|---|---|
| New UID appears | Creates a new user |
| Existing UID with updated data | Updates the user |
| Existing UID missing from CSV | Terminates the user |
| Previously terminated UID | Restores the user and recalculates enrollments |
| Existing UID with no changes | Takes no action |
| Duplicate UID in the CSV | Ignores the second record |
| Invalid email format | Ignores that row |
Tip: UIDs are case-sensitive and must be unique. A mismatch in capitalization can result in unexpected user creation or termination.
Disabling Manual User Management
Once auto CSV is enabled, manual user management is turned off to prevent conflicts. This also disables the following actions:
- One-off user creation
- Manual CSV uploads for adding or modifying users
- Manual CSV uploads for removing users
- Editing users directly from profile pages
The following actions are still allowed:
- Adding users to groups via CSV (UID matching only)
- Enrolling users into courses via CSV
- Enrolling users into programs via CSV
Tip: If you need occasional manual control over users, auto CSV may not be the right fit. Consider manual CSV uploads instead.
How to Configure Auto CSV in Bridge
- Configure an SFTP location and create credentials for Bridge
- Place a live user CSV in the SFTP folder
- Share the SFTP details with Bridge Support or your Implementation Consultant
- Once configured, you’ll be prompted to map the CSV fields
- Completing the mapping triggers the first sync
Note: Additional user attributes added later require Bridge Support or an Implementation Consultant to remap the file.
Auto CSV Setup Requirements
Technical Requirements
- An SFTP protocol web-hosted server hosted by the client. FTP or other formats can’t be configured.
- A live CSV file in the SFTP folder containing the intended user attribute columns. This CSV should be reliably generated and maintained.
Required CSV Fields
The CSV file must contain UIDs (a field intended to be used as a unique login identifier).
Note: UIDs must be unique, and the UID field can’t contain duplicate entries.
Suggested CSV Fields
An email address field. The address must be valid and formatted correctly.
Optional CSV Fields
- First name
- Last name
- Department
- Job title
- Location
- Manager UID
- Any other supported user attributes
Tip: Adding unnecessary columns increases complexity. Start with the fields you need and expand later.
Access Details
- The SFTP host location
- The login and corresponding password for Bridge to access SFTP
- Any custom ports used by SFTP
- File path (if multiple directories exist)
- Admin access to the SFTP, or automation that maintains the CSV
User Permissions Required for Managing Auto CSV
To view or manage auto CSV, admins must have one of the following permissions enabled:
View Account Config
Enabling the View Account Config permission allows admins to view Auto CSV status and history.
Manage Account Config
The Manage Account Config permission is required to configure, map, modify, or force automated CSV syncs.
Tip: Download your customizable roles and permissions tracker to stay organized.
Ongoing Use and Monitoring
Once the CSV has been configured, you’ll see a modal on the Admin > Tools > Auto CSV page. This is visible to all account admins, but not to any subaccounts.
This modal allows you to:
- See when the last CSV sync ran and whether it was successful
- Identify errors with the CSV or SFTP
- Force sync to manually trigger a run
- Review changes in the last upload
- Edit the schedule to change run days and start time
- Contact support
Tip: Avoid scheduling Auto CSV during peak HR system processing times to reduce the risk of incomplete files.
Troubleshooting
All Users Were Removed, But the Sync Shows As Successful
It’s likely that the CSV is empty or missing UIDs.
Steps to resolve:
- Check the SFTP location and confirm the CSV contains user data
- If the file is truly blank, contact Bridge Support immediately
Note: Bridge has safeguards in place and will block imports where more than 20% of users would be removed.
One or More Users Are Missing From Bridge
In this case, the CSV likely doesn’t include the learners' UIDs.
Steps to resolve:
- Confirm the user meets the criteria in the source system generating the CSV
- Verify the UID exists in the CSV
- If the UID is present, contact Bridge Support
One or More Users Are in Bridge But Should Be Removed
These users are likely Account Admins, and this role will prevent users from being removed when the sync occurs
Steps to resolve:
- Search for the user in Bridge
- Remove the Account Admin role if appropriate
- If the issue persists, contact Bridge Support
Auto CSV Reports An Error
Possible causes:
- The CSV is missing from the SFTP
- The CSV file name was changed
- Bridge cannot access the SFTP or file
Steps to resolve:
- Attempt a manual sync
- Confirm the CSV exists in the correct location
- Verify the file name matches the original configuration
- If no issue is found, contact Bridge Support
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