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Migrating from 4Matrix Desktop to 4Matrix Cloud

For 4Matrix Desktop customers. In this topic:

  • Key information
  • Link to PDF mini-guide
  • Videos

Key information​

This guide is for 4Matrix Desktop customers only

While migrating is completely optional, if you do choose to migrate data from 4Matrix Desktop to 4Matrix Cloud then the following Data Cleansing steps are mandatory.

The checks and tasks outlined in this guide are optional. If you would prefer to skip migration and import data directly into 4Matrix Cloud, you can ignore this guide.

Before using the 4Matrix Desktop Migrator tool to transfer your data into 4Matrix Cloud, we recommend cleansing your database. This ensures your data migrates and maps correctly while minimising unnecessary duplications.

Pros
  • Import historical results, targets and assessments into 4Matrix Cloud in minutes.
  • Quickly generate courses in 4Matrix Cloud which should help speed up the qualification mapping process during your first spreadsheet/MIS imports later on.
Cons
  • The Data Cleansing steps must be completed before migration. The effort and time required will vary by school, depending on the quality of the existing database.
  • The move to 4Matrix Cloud might be seen by some schools as an opportunity to reset and rebuild their analytics from scratch. Migrating existing data removes that opportunity.

Data Scope

  • 4Matrix Cloud does not include legacy tools, so only series from the 2020-2021 academic year onwards can be migrated. This aligns with the introduction of Scaled Scores as the Key Stage 2 Prior Attainment measure.
  • Only KS4/GCSE-graded series can be migrated.

Data Cleansing

  • Removing unnecessary series first will dramatically reduce the amount of data cleansing required, as this will automatically reduce the number of pupils, subject, classes, etc.

Historical vs. Current Cohorts

  • Use the migrator tool for transferring historical data only.
  • Data for current cohorts and key stage 5 should be imported using the direct import tools in 4Matrix Cloud (spreadsheets and MIS import).

Migration Capacity

  • The migrator tool supports the transfer of up to 10 series at a time from 4Matrix Desktop to 4Matrix Cloud. It can run as many times as required.
  • The migrator tool generates a file that can be imported into 4Matrix Cloud. Again, this process can be run as many times as required.
Migrator files

Importing migrator files into 4Matrix Cloud is covered in the Onboarding Course videos - specifically video 1B.

Download the Data Cleansing PDF guide.

The PDF guide can be used alongside the help videos, below.

Videos​

Data Cleansing Playlist

  • Skip between videos in this series using the 3 lines in the top-right of the video player.
  • Alternatively, choose 'Open on YouTube' to watch the playlist on YouTube.
  • First published: 18/09/2025
  • Last revised: 19/09/2025