Sometime it's critical to keep tracking who updated the records. Built-in CSV import function is great but doesn't update the field such as updated_on, updated_by fields. Here's how I solved the problem.

Let's create a sample app.

1. Create new app called "who_imports_csv"

2. Model - create db_tables.py

# coding: utf8

db.define_table('friends',
    Field('name'),
    Field('flag', length=1, default=""),
    Field('updated_by', update=auth.user.first_name + " " + auth.user.last_name if auth.user else None),
    Field('updated_on', 'datetime', update=request.now))

db.friends.updated_by.writable = False
db.friends.updated_on.writable = False

Change titles on menu.py if you want.

response.title = "Who imports CSV ?"
response.subtitle = "I know who you are"

3. Controller - replace index action with this

@auth.requires_login()
def index():
    if request.vars.csvfile != None:
        # set values
        table = db[request.vars.table]
        file = request.vars.csvfile.file
        
        # import csv file
        table.import_from_csv_file(file)
        
        # update who imported
        query = db.friends.flag==""
        db(query).update(flag="1")
        
        response.flash = 'Data uploaded'
    return dict()

4. View - replace default/index.html with this

{{extend 'layout.html'}}

{{=FORM(INPUT(_type='file',_name='csvfile'),INPUT(_type='hidden',_value='friends',_name='table'),INPUT(_type='submit',_value='Upload'))}}

5. Done !

6. Try importing the csv file

7. It's showing who/when updated.