Import Returns from Comscore

Mica can import box office return data directly from Comscore (Rentrak) files, saving you the time of entering figures manually. This guide covers the full import process — from selecting your file and verifying the data to fixing common errors and confirming a successful import.

Table of Contents

1. What You Need Before Starting
2. Step-by-Step Instructions
3. Understanding Import Results
4. Important Notes
5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

What You Need Before Starting

• A Comscore/Rentrak returns file (.dat format)
• Existing bookings in Mica for the films in the file
• The correct territory/country selected for your releases

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Navigate to the returns import screen

Go to Bookings → Returns and click Import.

The Import Returns dialog will open.

Step 2: Select import settings

Choose the file format that matches your territory:

• Rentrak US (Flash)
• Rentrak CA (Flash)
• Rentrak International (Flash)

Step 3: Choose your file

Click Choose File and select your .dat file. The filename will appear next to the button (e.g. "ABC123.dat").

Step 4: Verify the import

Before importing, click Verify to check the file for errors. Verification will:

• Check if all film titles in the file have matching references in Mica
• Check if all venues in the file have matching references in Mica
• Identify if bookings exist for the films and venues
• Show any errors that need to be fixed

Step 5: Review verification results

After verification, you'll see a table showing:

Common errors at this stage:

• "No references found" — The film's Rentrak ID is not linked to any release in Mica
• "Contract not found" — No booking exists for this film/venue/playweek combination
• "Contract not matched" — Booking exists but doesn't match the playweek dates

Step 6: Fix missing references (if needed)

If you see "No references found" errors, add the Rentrak ID to the release. Open the release in Productions, go to the references section, and add the Rentrak ID. Once linked, the release will be recognised on the next verification.

Step 7: Re-verify and import

After fixing references or creating missing bookings, re-run verification. Previously "No references found" errors should now show either "Contract not found" (if you still need to create bookings) or be ready to import.

Once verification shows no "No references found" errors, click Import. The "Contracts updated" counter shows how many bookings received figures from the file.

Step 8: Confirm the import was successful

After importing, you'll see a confirmation showing how many contracts were updated.

Verify the import by checking:

• Flash columns are populated with amounts in the Returns screen
• Booking detail screens show the daily breakdown
• No error notifications appear on the Dashboard

Understanding Import Results

Contracts updated counter

"Contracts updated: X" tells you how many bookings received figures from the file. For example, if the file contains 20 cinema/playweek combinations and you have bookings for 15 of them, the result will be "Contracts updated: 15". The remaining five will show "Contract not found" errors.

Error messages explained

Important Notes

You can process files multiple times

Re-importing is safe and useful in several situations: after fixing missing references, after creating new bookings, or when the file is re-sent with corrections. Mica only updates bookings that match — it won't create duplicate figure entries.

File format requirements

Rentrak/Comscore files must be in the correct format for the selected type, match the territory/country selected, contain valid Rentrak IDs that match your releases, and use standard playweek dates for your territory.

Flash vs. BOR imports

Troubleshooting Common Issues