Yes. If you have a large catalogue of music that you wish to upload to Score Exchange, then you can use the Bulk upload multiple scores option from the Import / Export options on the My scores page. This involves putting the scores and parts that you wish to upload into a zip file, then uploading the zip file to Score Exchange.
There are two ways to make use of the bulk upload function, the first option has been available for some time, and allows you to upload multiple Sibelius or PDF files. You can then edit the data manually using the My Scores page
The second option is more advanced and allows you to upload multiple PDF files at once fetching the relevant data for the scores from a CSV file that you have already uploaded using the Score data import function.
Option one – just upload multiple files
To use this function, you need to put all the scores that you wish to upload into the top level of a single zip file, all the score files must have a .pdf or .sib file extension. You then need to upload this zip file containing all of your scores.
What about parts?
If you are uploading a Sibelius files, Score Exchange will automatically create the instrumental parts from the Dynamic Parts that you have configured in your scores. However, if you wish to override the automatic part-creation function, or you are uploading PDF files, then you can also put manually extracted parts in the zip file. The file structure is important, and must be correct so that Score Exchange knows which part files relate to which score.
First of all, to indicate that you wish to override the automatic part extraction, you must create a folder in the top level of the zip file with the same name as the relevant score, minus the .pdf or .sib file extension. The score file name and the folder name are compared in a case sensitive manner, if your zip file contains a folder that does not match a score in the zip file the folder will be ignored.
If you wish to supply your own manually extracted or edited instrumental parts, you must put the relevant part files inside the new folder. The name of the part file will become the name of that part on Score Exchange.
File structure examples – some common errors
This is an example of the top level of a zip file that you might upload to Score Exchange using the bulk upload function. The notes below explain the outcome of this particular file structure.
- The folders called ‘Jazz’ and ‘Violin Concerto’ will be ignored as there is no corresponding score file with the same name.
- The score called ‘First Symphony’ would be added to Score Exchange, and it would have 5 parts available. Any other parts such as wind, brass or percussion would not be available, as we have chosen to manually upload parts so they would not be automatically extracted from the score.
- ‘Concerto’ would be added to your scores on Score Exchange. As there is a folder with a matching name, no parts would be extracted automatically from the score. However, because the folder is empty no manual parts would be added to Score Exchange either, resulting in the sore being available without parts.
Option two – upload multiple PDF files and get the details from a recent CSV file upload
To use this function, you must first use the data import function upload and apply a CSV file to your Score Exchange account. The CSV file will be used to obtain all the information about the PDF files that you are uploading now.
Only one CSV file will be used as a data source when bulk uploading PDF files – the file used will always be the most recent upload, that has been ‘applied’.
Each of your scores and parts must be identified using an SKU (stock keeping unit) that is unique and identifies that file. Each of the PDF files that you wish to upload must have a filename that is the relevant SKU with an optional .pdf file extension. The same SKU must appear in the CSV file that you have previously uploaded to link the PDF file with the data.
- To tell the bulk uploader that you wish to use this method of uploading, all the pdf files for scores and parts must be placed into a single folder called ‘sku’. The ‘sku’ folder must be at the top level of the zip file that you upload to Score Exchange. There should be no sub folders in the ‘sku’ folder.
- Upload the zip file using the bulk upload function.
- After the file has uploaded, you will see a report of what Score Exchange will do with the contents of the file. Nothing has actually happened yet! – this gives you the chance to make corrections if required.
- If you are happy with the actions detailed in the report, press the button to ‘make changes’ and your uploaded scores and parts will be processed.
Hints and tips
If you haven’t used the bulk upload function before, we recommend starting with a small number of files until you have fully understood the process.
