The quickest way to get value out of Float is to import your existing people and project data—especially if they're spread across multiple tools and sheets. We'll show you three options for adding and organizing that data into your team's new single source of truth. Once you have everything in Float, you'll see your team's capacity, schedules, and plans come to life. 🌱
Let's take a look!
You'll learn to:
✔️ Use a handy CSV template to import data
✔️ Connect and use integrations with external tools
✔️ Add new data when needed
✔️ Review, edit, and enrich your project and people data in Float
1. Bulk upload data via a CSV template
It's easy to import your data using a CSV file. Download our template and fill out the pre-existing fields or choose to pre-populate with existing data and fill out the missing information. Re-upload the template and see all the data in Float!
You may wonder: how can I add more data into Float apart from what's in the template? No worries—once you have people and project data in, make bulk updates via the edit menu to add more information. Check out our help articles on importing people and importing projects for more details.
Download the CSV templates
See the CSV template below in Google Sheets form. Notice the files are view-only, this is so you can download or make your own copy and modify them as much as you want, before uploading them into Float.
Float people template
Download the template from File > Download
Float project template
Download the template from File > Download
<tip>
Pro tip: Think about roles instead of job titles
When setting up people data, we recommend you think in terms of roles instead of job titles. Job titles change, but adding roles to your team will enable you to find the right people to allocate work more easily.
For example, you may have a Senior Designer, a UX Designer, and a Product Designer on your team—but, in Float, you simply need to allocate a designer role in projects when needed.
👀 Sneak peek: We'll soon introduce a roles management section so you can easily add, edit, delete, and merge roles. This will also help you take full advantage of upcoming project estimation and planning features later this year.
<tip-button>Learn more</tip-button>
</tip>
To do ⚡
✅ Download the CSV template and re-upload it or pre-populate with existing data
✅ Make bulk edits to improve your data in Float
✅ Consider the roles you need to set
2. Set up your preferred integrations or API
Float plays nicely with the rest of your tech stack! 🫶 Integrations enable quicker sync between data sources, making Float your single point of truth for team capacity and project plans.
Let's see three ways to use integrations in Float.
2.1. Connect available integrations
No need to reinvent the wheel—integrate Float with other tools such as project management software to sync existing information. For example, you can import tasks from Asana and schedule them in Float to better organize your team's workload.
If you're an Account Owner, see the available integrations in team settings. Find the tool you want to integrate and connect them within minutes. Once connected, you'll be able to import and organize data into Float.
To do ⚡
✅ Check team settings to find the tool you want to integrate
✅ Connect the tools you need
✅ Import data from the other tool
2.2. Use the API
Don't see the tool you want to integrate Float with? We got you covered: choose to use our API or Zapier to integrate any tool you need. A possible use case is importing tags from your HR tool for better people management in Float.
Both options are easy to find in team settings—choose which one to use for your case:
- Zapier is a great option for non-tech folks, as it can be set up easily without engineering support. Some of our most popular Zaps are Trello, Toggl, Google Sheets, and BambooHR!
- The API requires tech support from your team, but it allows you to integrate a wider range of tools than Zapier and offers more flexibility in how you set up the integration. Try to get a developer involved as soon as possible to get set up more quickly.
To do ⚡
✅ Choose the API or Zapier to integrate a tool that's not on our list
✅ Follow the instructions or ask for engineering help
2.3. Sync calendars with Float
Being able to see your team's real capacity in Float is super important for accurate planning. Two-way syncs with Google and Outlook calendars help your team track work and get better visibility into workloads.
Connect your own calendar if you appear on the Schedule, and let your team know they can do the same! By connecting Google, Outlook, or other calendar, they can sync all their meetings and events into Float, as well as send their Float allocations and time off to their calendars. If you need any help, check out our support page for calendar integrations!
To do ⚡
✅ Sync your calendar with Float
✅ Let your team know to sync their calendars, too!
3. Add individual team members and projects
Got a new team member or an upcoming project to add? No problem! Add new data to your existing Schedule and Project Plan—especially useful when inviting new team members who want to use Float or creating new projects that come up unexpectedly.
There are various options to add a person or project, such as adding a person directly from the Schedule, using a shortcut to create a new project, or duplicating an existing one.
Note that these options are really helpful when you have new information to add, but, when starting out with Float, choose the quicker route of templates or integrations to import your data—even if you start with just one team and their projects.
To do ⚡
✅ Add a person to the Schedule
✅ Add a new project in the project tab
✅ Learn the shortcuts to add people and projects quickly when you need to
All set up!
With your data in Float, there's no stopping you! You can now set up capacity information, allocate work, plan projects and so much more. Take a look at our guide to Float scheduling to continue your planning journey! 🚀
.jpg)
