Question

I’m trying to allow users to import a CSV file to an application’s database. I’ve been following the rails casts on importing csv and excel. I’m not sure how I can pass in a parameter that is not found in the excel or csv file.

For example I’m using devise for authentication and instead of the user having to input the user_id on the file being uploaded I want the user_id to be set to the current_user.id. How can I do this?

My code below:

Model’s method for importing the file

 def self.import(file)
    CSV.foreach(file.path, headers: true) do |row|
      Gear.create! row.to_hash
    end
  end

Controller Action

  def import
    Gear.import(params[:file])
    redirect_to :back, notice: "Gears Uploaded"
  end

Answer 1

One option is to just pass in the user ID into the import-method like this:

Model:

def self.import(file, user_id)
  CSV.foreach(file.path, headers: true) do |row|
    Gear.create! row.to_hash.merge(user_id: user_id)
  end
end

Controller:

def import
  Gear.import(params[:file], current_user.id)
  redirect_to :back, notice: "Gears Uploaded"
end

Be aware that you will overwrite existing user_id-columns in the CSV, but if I understand you correctly this is intended behavior.