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

# Auto File

> Use Auto File to detect the layout of a payroll or project file and prepare it for validation.

## What Auto File does

Auto File reads the structure of your file and works out where the useful data is. It can handle files that do not follow the UpSheets sample template, including files with different column names, extra report rows, or more than one pay item column.

It prepares the extracted rows for the usual **Validate Data** screen. You can review the detected columns, change any mappings, and validate the file before anything is uploaded to Xero.

## How to use it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose Auto File">
    On the Import screen, select **Auto File** and choose the data you want to import, such as Timesheets, Leave, Payslips, or Projects.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the terms">
    Auto File sends a subset of the file and relevant Xero setup data to our AI partner to identify the layout. We do not allow this data to be used for AI training. See the [Automatic layout detection terms](https://upsheets.com/terms#automatic-layout-detection) for more detail.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload your file">
    Upload the file as usual. Auto File analyses the structure and extracts the rows it can identify.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and validate">
    Check the detected columns and rows on the Validate Data screen. Update any mappings or validation options before you click **Validate**. After validation, you can use **Review Mapping** to check suggested Xero matches, just as you can with a standard file import.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What it can recognise

Auto File can identify common variations in payroll and project files, including:

* one row per entry or one column per pay item
* timesheets, leave, payslip adjustments, and project time
* employee names, Xero pay items, tracking codes, projects, and tasks
* hours shown as whole numbers, decimals, or durations such as `7:30`
* report headings, repeated headings, and dates that apply to a section of rows

Auto File uses your existing Xero setup and mappings to make the detected layout more useful. It does not invent missing values or create Xero setup automatically.

## If the result needs correcting

If the detected layout is close but not right, choose **Correct Layout** on the Validate Data screen and describe how the data is arranged. For example, you can explain that hours are spread across separate pay item columns or that the file has report details above the header row. Auto File will try again and show the result in the normal validation table.

If the result still does not fit your file, return to **Standard Import**. Standard Import lets you choose the file options and map each column yourself.

## Data and privacy

Only a subset of the file contents and relevant Xero data is sent to the AI provider for layout analysis. UpSheets does not allow this data to be used for AI training. See the [Automatic layout detection terms](https://upsheets.com/terms#automatic-layout-detection) for the details of how the feature works and how data is handled.