Who can use this feature?
Available on:
All Culture Amp subscriptions that include Engagement.
What is a Full Survey Import?
A Full Survey Import allows you to bring an entire survey—including all survey questions and responses—into Culture Amp from another platform. Once imported, your survey will function almost like a survey created directly on Culture Amp.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to complete the import process.
Timeline
The Full Survey Import process generally takes 2-6 weeks. However, the exact timeline may vary based on factors like:
Survey Complexity: Larger or more complex surveys may take longer to import.
Data Volume: The size of your survey data can impact the import duration.
Responsiveness: The speed at which you and any involved parties (such as previous providers) respond can also affect timing.
Once you submit your data, the Culture Amp Product Support team will give you a personalized timeline.
Import Limitations
Please note the following limitations when importing your survey:
Longer lead time: Survey imports can take between 2–6 weeks to complete. If you need results sooner, we recommend using external comparisons instead.
Supported Survey Types: Attributed or Unattributed surveys like Engagement only.
Survey Size: You can only import a survey if the data fits in a single Excel or CSV file. Larger surveys requiring multiple files are not supported.
Branching Data: While questions from a branched survey can be imported, Culture Amp does not support branching in reporting.
Existing Surveys: Data must be imported into a new Culture Amp survey—it can’t be added to one that already exists.
Survey Import Limits: You can import up to 5 surveys total. We recommend starting with 1–2 surveys to keep things manageable.
No Leader-Based Reports: These are not compatible with imported surveys.
Step 1: Choosing Survey Type
Culture Amp supports two types of imported surveys:
Attributed surveys
Responses are linked to individual employees.
Requires a full list of past and current employees to be uploaded.
This can be complex and time-consuming if your historical employee data isn’t uploaded.
Unattributed surveys
Responses are anonymous and not linked directly to individuals.
Easier to set up—no need to upload historical employee data records.
Tip: Not sure which to choose? Check out our Attributed vs. Unattributed Surveys article or contact Culture Amp Support and ask to chat with a specialist.
Step 2: Confirm Your Survey Is Supported
Supported Survey Types | Unsupported Survey Types |
✔️ Adhoc Surveys (e.g., Unattributed) | ❌ Experience Surveys (e.g., Onboarding, Exit) |
✔️ Attributed/Snapshot Surveys (e.g., Engagement) | ❌ 360 Effectiveness Surveys (Individual, Leadership 360) |
Tip: Learn more: Survey Templates Overview
Step 3: Gather Required Information
Before preparing your survey data file, make sure you've collected the following survey details to include when submitting your import request:
General Information:
Survey name: What you would like to call the survey
Survey type: Choose between attributed (responses linked to individuals) or unattributed.
Demographics: Indicate whether they are self-reported demographic questions housed in the survey directly or preloaded demographics from the account-level data.
Survey close date: The date the original survey closed.
Confidentiality Settings:
Reporting group minimum: The smallest number that you can filter down to in reporting in order for responses to show.
Comments group minimum: The minimum number of people in a group who need to submit a response before comments are shown.
Indirect identification protection: Choose a setting for how strictly anonymity is protected on top of your minimum reporting numbers (e.g., None, Basic or Strong).
If the survey comes from a previous provider, RDE will be disabled by default
RDE can only be enabled if you have full access to individual-level response data and can share it directly with Culture Amp.
Reporting Stats:
Overall participation rate
Total number of participants
Number of submitted responses
Step 4: Prepare Your Survey Data
You’ll need to get your survey results as a CSV or Excel file from your previous survey provider. Culture Amp requires a specific format:
Each row = one survey respondent.
Each column = one survey question.
Answers should be in numeric format, not text (e.g., 1–5), not text (e.g., strongly agree)
Example file format:
Respondent | Question 1 | Question 2 | Question 3 | Question 4 |
Employee 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Employee 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Note: Some providers export data with one row per question per respondent (instead of one row per respondent). This format isn’t a blocker, but it does require extra time to reformat. If Culture Amp is preparing the data, just keep in mind it may take a little longer to process.
Match the Culture Amp Rating Scale
Culture Amp uses a 5-point scale to measure agreement with survey statements:
Culture Amp 5-Point Scale
Score | Label |
1 | Strongly Disagree |
2 | Disagree |
3 | Neither Agree nor Disagree |
4 | Agree |
5 | Strongly Agree |
If your old survey used a different scale (like 7, 10, or 11 points), you’ll need to convert your scores. Here are some examples:
Example 10-point scale mapping:
10-Point Score | Mapped Score |
1–2 | 1 |
3–4 | 2 |
5–6 | 3 |
7–8 | 4 |
9–10 | 5 |
Example 11-point scale mapping:
11-Point Score | Mapped Score |
1–2 | 1 |
3–4 | 2 |
5–6–7 | 3 |
8–9 | 4 |
10–11 | 5 |
Example 7-point scale
7-Point Score | Mapped Score |
1 | 1 |
2 | 2 |
3–5 | 3 |
6 | 4 |
7 | 5 |
Tip: Use tools like VLOOKUP in Excel to map and convert your data to Culture Amp’s scale.
Step 5: Save and Submit Your Data to Culture Amp
Once your file is ready:
Save Your Data: Ensure the file is correctly formatted and saved as either an Excel or CSV file. Double-check for any errors or extra spaces.
Contact Product Support: Reach out to Culture Amp Product Support via in-platform chat or email support@cultureamp.com.
Attach Your Data:
Submit your formatted file or secure download link. Include:
Rating scale documentation from previous provider (if applicable).
Any other relevant context
Provide Required Survey Information: Make sure you’ve included all survey info outlined in Step 3.
Note: If your previous provider is managing the data transfer, Culture Amp has secure processes in place. Type “Ask a Person” in a support conversation to speak with a specialist.
Step 6: Review and Confirmation
After submitting your data:
Review and Confirmation: The support team will review and validate your data.
Estimated Timeline: You’ll be given an estimated timeline for completion, typically within 2–6 weeks.
Tips for a Successful Import
✔️ Format data as one row per respondent
Each respondent should have one row, with each question in its own column.
✔️ Convert scores to Culture Amp’s 5-point scale
If your survey uses a different scale (e.g., 7 or 10 points), map your scores to Culture Amp’s scale.
✔️ Enter numeric scores only
Use numbers (e.g., 1–5), not text like “Strongly Agree.”
✔️ Include complete survey details
Provide survey name, type (attributed or unattributed), demographics, close date, and confidentiality settings.
✔️ Submit your data in one file
Ensure all data fits into a single Excel or CSV file.
✔️ Attach original rating scale and survey context
This helps us correctly interpret your data.
✔️ Avoid assumptions
If you're unsure about any part of the process, contact Culture Amp Product Support.
FAQs
Can I edit my survey after it's imported?
Once your survey has been imported into Culture Amp, you can edit certain settings—such as the survey name. However, other elements, including survey data and confidentiality settings, cannot be modified. This is consistent with the restrictions that apply to surveys created directly within the Culture Amp platform.
What happens if my previous survey used a different rating scale?
Our team can assist with converting the data to Culture Amp’s standard scale. Be sure to provide the details of your original scale when submitting your data.
What survey types can I import?
You can import Unattributed/Adhoc and Attributed/Snapshot surveys like Engagement, but Experience (e.g., Onboarding, Exit surveys) and 360 Effectiveness surveys are not supported.
How long will the import process take?
The import process typically takes 2-6 weeks. The exact timeline depends on factors like survey complexity, data volume, and responsiveness.
Can I import data into an existing Culture Amp survey?
No, data cannot be imported into an existing Culture Amp survey. A new survey must be created for the import.
Are imported surveys compatible with leader-based reports?
No, this feature is not supported for imported surveys.
💬 Need help? Just reply with "Ask a Person" in a support conversation to speak with a Product Support Specialist.