General information

Data Landing Portal currently only accepts files in CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format, or CSV files compressed using the gzip format (you can use 7zip to do this on a Windows system). The maximum allowable file size is:

• 4 GB for uncompressed CSV files
• 800MB for compressed files

The maximum file size allowed for NHS CIS2 users is:

• 1 GB for uncompressed CSV files

• 200MB for compressed files

The first row needs to contain column headers and the names must match those in the specification being used when submitting the file. Note that spaces and underscores are not interchangeable, so if your specification uses a column header name with an underscore in it, your submission must also use an underscore in the same place. Calling a column header “NHS no” when the specification defines it as “NHS_no” will cause the submission to fail.

Files should be encoded using the Windows 1252 standard. Users are advised to open and save submissions using Notepad or another text editor (rather than Excel) to avoid encoding issues. If files are encoded in UTF-8 instead, you may find that a Byte Order Mark (BOM) appears at the start of column names and causes your submission to fail. This will generate an error message similar to the following:

Column A was 'i'>>?DATE_CREATED' (expected 'DATE_CREATED)

If this happens, follow the instructions above and open the file in a text editor before resaving it. 

For security reasons, submissions containing the following symbols at the start of a data value will be rejected

•     =
•      -
•      +
•     @

The sole exception to this is where “-“ prefixes a numerical value.

While there are no specific naming conventions for files, your DSCRO will usually use an agreed and consistent format for naming the data specifications. Naming the file in line with the specification name is advised. We recommend using the following best practice guidelines

• file names should be unique, short and meaningful. It should not be necessary to open the file to determine what it contains

• avoid using terms such as ‘Latest version’ or ‘Old’ and ‘New’.
• the following symbols should not be used in folder and file names they are not universally recognised by systems: \ / : * ? “ < > | % ~ # & { }

DLP includes a number of time and labour-saving features to make life easier for users.

When you click on a specification name in the Specification tab (so that you can view the specification details), there is a test specification button at the bottom

Clicking on this brings a pop-up screen where you can test whether your submission will pass validation (without having to submit your file to the recipient). 

Once the file is chosen using the Select sample file button, the screen will update to show you whether the file will validate successfully or not

When you add a file to the submission queue, clicking on the Add comment link will bring up a window where you can provide supporting information for your submission.

This can be used to identify if you are sending through a re-submission, or to provide any other useful information.

When uploading files, as well as manually clicking on Select file(s), you can drag and drop one or more files to the light blue area to add them to the submission queue.

In this way you can quickly and easily queue up multiple files for submission. As above, you can also add comments against each submission.

DLP allows users the ability to make automated submissions via NHS Digital’s Message Exchange for Social Care and Health (MESH) service.

For information on how to do this, please see the dedicated DLP MESH Setup Guide for Data Senders. 

If you experience any technical issues whilst using DLP, please call the National Service Desk on 03003 035 035 or email [email protected].