**Three things need to be done before sending merits:**
1. Ensure the data that you want to send as merits is in a CSV file and properly formatted.
1. For Google Sheets > File > Download > Comma-Separated Value (.csv)
2. For Excel: File > Save as > Comma-Separated Value (.csv)
2. Ensure a merit template is created and published
1. Search in the [help center ](https://knowledge.merits.com/)*How to Create a Merit Template*
3. Create a data source and map a template to it
1. Search in the [help center ](https://knowledge.merits.com/)*How to Create a Data Source* or *How to Automap a Merit Template*