diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadFile.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadFile.tsx
index 958aba9ed..b6a3f418a 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadFile.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadFile.tsx
@@ -17,18 +17,25 @@ export default function UploadFile() {
 
   const clearFile = () => {
     setFile(null);
+    setErrors('');
   };
 
   const handleFile = (event: ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const fileSelected = event?.target?.files?.[0];
-    if (!fileSelected) return;
+    setErrors('');
 
-    const validate = validateFile(fileSelected);
-    setErrors(validate.errors?.[0]);
+    const selectedFile = event?.target?.files?.[0];
+    if (!selectedFile) {
+      setFile(null);
+      return;
+    }
 
-    if (validate.isValid) {
-      setFile(fileSelected);
-    } else {
+    try {
+      validateFile(selectedFile);
+      setFile(selectedFile);
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (error instanceof Error) {
+        setErrors(error.message);
+      }
       setFile(null);
     }
   };
@@ -47,9 +54,11 @@ export default function UploadFile() {
         accept='.json, .xlsx'
         data-testid='file-input'
       />
-      <div className={style.uploadArea} onClick={handleClick}>
-        Click to upload Ontime project or xlsx file
-      </div>
+      {!file && (
+        <div className={style.uploadArea} onClick={handleClick}>
+          Click to upload Ontime project or xlsx file
+        </div>
+      )}
       {(file || errors) && (
         <UploadEntry file={file} errors={errors} progress={progress} success={success} handleClear={clearFile} />
       )}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx
index a462043ad..119dda048 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx
@@ -10,14 +10,18 @@ import {
   ModalOverlay,
 } from '@chakra-ui/react';
 import { useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
-import { OntimeRundown } from 'ontime-types';
+import { OntimeRundown, ProjectData, UserFields } from 'ontime-types';
+import { defaultExcelImportMap, ExcelImportMap } from 'ontime-utils';
 
-import { RUNDOWN_TABLE } from '../../../common/api/apiConstants';
-import { maybeAxiosError } from '../../../common/api/apiUtils';
-import { postPreviewExcel, uploadData } from '../../../common/api/ontimeApi';
+import { invalidateAllCaches, maybeAxiosError } from '../../../common/api/apiUtils';
+import {
+  patchData,
+  postPreviewExcel,
+  ProjectFileImportOptions,
+  uploadProjectFile,
+} from '../../../common/api/ontimeApi';
 import { projectDataPlaceholder } from '../../../common/models/ProjectData';
 import { userFieldsPlaceholder } from '../../../common/models/UserFields';
-import { cx } from '../../../common/utils/styleUtils';
 
 import PreviewExcel from './preview/PreviewExcel';
 import ExcelFileOptions from './upload-options/ExcelFileOptions';
@@ -25,20 +29,12 @@ import OntimeFileOptions from './upload-options/OntimeFileOptions';
 import UploadStepTracker from './upload-step/UploadStep';
 import UploadFile from './UploadFile';
 import { useUploadModalContextStore } from './uploadModalContext';
-import { defaultExcelImportMap, ExcelImportMapKeys, isExcelFile, isOntimeFile } from './uploadUtils';
+import { isExcelFile, isOntimeFile } from './uploadUtils';
 
 import style from './UploadModal.module.scss';
 
 export type UploadStep = 'upload' | 'review';
 
-export interface OntimeInputOptions {
-  onlyImportRundown?: boolean;
-}
-
-export type ExcelInputOptions = {
-  [K in ExcelImportMapKeys]: string;
-};
-
 interface UploadModalProps {
   onClose: () => void;
   isOpen: boolean;
@@ -51,67 +47,76 @@ export default function UploadModal({ onClose, isOpen }: UploadModalProps) {
 
   const [uploadStep, setUploadStep] = useState<UploadStep>('upload');
   const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
-  const [rundown, setRundown] = useState<OntimeRundown>([]);
-  const [userFields, setUserFields] = useState(userFieldsPlaceholder);
-  const [project, setProject] = useState(projectDataPlaceholder);
+  const [rundown, setRundown] = useState<OntimeRundown | null>(null);
+  const [userFields, setUserFields] = useState<UserFields | null>(null);
+  const [project, setProject] = useState<ProjectData | null>(null);
 
   const [errors, setErrors] = useState('');
 
-  const ontimeFileOptions = useRef<Partial<OntimeInputOptions>>({});
-  const excelFileOptions = useRef<Partial<ExcelInputOptions>>(defaultExcelImportMap);
+  const ontimeFileOptions = useRef<Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>>({});
+  const excelFileOptions = useRef<ExcelImportMap>(defaultExcelImportMap);
 
+  /* if the modal re-opens, we want to restart all states */
   useEffect(() => {
     clear();
     setUploadStep('upload');
     setSubmitting(false);
-    setRundown([]);
-    setUserFields(userFieldsPlaceholder);
-    setProject(projectDataPlaceholder);
+    setRundown(null);
+    setUserFields(null);
+    setProject(null);
     setErrors('');
   }, [clear, isOpen]);
 
-  const handleParse = async () => {
+  /* uploads file to backend
+   * - in the case of excel, we get the preview
+   * - in the case of project file, this is end of line
+   **/
+  const handleUpload = async () => {
+    let doClose = false;
     if (file) {
       setSubmitting(true);
+      setErrors('');
       try {
         if (isOntimeFile(file)) {
-          await handleOntimeFile(file);
-          await queryClient.invalidateQueries(RUNDOWN_TABLE);
+          // TODO: we would also like to have preview for ontime project files
+          const options = ontimeFileOptions.current;
+          await handleOntimeFile(file, options);
+          doClose = true;
         } else if (isExcelFile(file)) {
-          await handleExcelFile(file);
-        }
-      } catch (error) {
-        setErrors(`Failed uploading file: ${error}`);
-      } finally {
-        setSubmitting(false);
-      }
-    }
-
-    async function handleExcelFile(file: File) {
-      const options = excelFileOptions.current;
-      // TODO: option type should be central, to also be used by backend
-      try {
-        const response = await postPreviewExcel(file, setProgress, options);
-        if (response.status === 200) {
-          setRundown(response.data.rundown);
-          setUserFields(response.data.userFields);
-          setProject(response.data.project);
-          setUploadStep('review');
+          const options = excelFileOptions.current;
+          await handleExcelFile(file, options);
+          await invalidateAllCaches();
         }
       } catch (error) {
         const message = maybeAxiosError(error);
-        setErrors(`Error importing excel ${message}`);
+        setErrors(`Failed uploading file ${message}`);
+      } finally {
+        setSubmitting(false);
+        if (doClose) {
+          handleClose();
+        }
       }
     }
 
-    async function handleOntimeFile(file: File) {
-      const options = {
-        onlyRundown: Boolean(ontimeFileOptions.current.onlyImportRundown),
-      };
-      await uploadData(file, setProgress, options);
+    // when we upload excel, we populate state with preview data
+    async function handleExcelFile(file: File, options: ExcelImportMap) {
+      const response = await postPreviewExcel(file, setProgress, options);
+      if (response.status === 200) {
+        setRundown(response.data.rundown);
+        setUserFields(response.data.userFields);
+        setProject(response.data.project);
+        // in excel imports we have an extra review step
+        setUploadStep('review');
+      }
+    }
+
+    // when we upload project files, no extra operations are done
+    async function handleOntimeFile(file: File, options: Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>) {
+      await uploadProjectFile(file, setProgress, options);
     }
   };
 
+  // before closing the modal, we clear data from mutations
   const handleClose = () => {
     clear();
     setRundown([]);
@@ -121,36 +126,42 @@ export default function UploadModal({ onClose, isOpen }: UploadModalProps) {
   };
 
   const handleFinalise = async () => {
-    if (file) {
+    // this step is currently only used for excel files, after preview
+    if (isExcel && rundown && userFields && project) {
+      let doClose = false;
       setSubmitting(true);
       try {
-        const options = {
-          //onlyRundown: overrideOptionRef.current?.checked || false,
-        };
-        await uploadData(file, setProgress, options);
-        handleClose();
+        await patchData({ rundown, userFields, project });
+        await queryClient.invalidateQueries(['rundown', 'userFields', 'project']);
+        doClose = true;
       } catch (error) {
-        console.error(error);
+        const message = maybeAxiosError(error);
+        setErrors(`Failed applying changes ${message}`);
       } finally {
-        await queryClient.invalidateQueries(RUNDOWN_TABLE);
         setSubmitting(false);
+        if (doClose) {
+          handleClose();
+        }
       }
     }
   };
 
+  const undoReview = () => {
+    setUploadStep('upload');
+    setErrors('');
+  };
+
   const isUpload = uploadStep === 'upload';
+  const isReview = uploadStep === 'review';
   const isExcel = isExcelFile(file);
   const isOntime = isOntimeFile(file);
 
-  const handleGoBack = isUpload ? undefined : () => setUploadStep('upload');
-  const handleSubmit = isUpload ? handleParse : handleFinalise;
-  const disableSubmit = isUpload && !file;
+  const handleGoBack = isUpload ? undefined : undoReview;
+  const handleSubmit = isUpload ? handleUpload : handleFinalise;
+  const disableSubmit = (isUpload && !file) || (isReview && rundown === null);
   const disableGoBack = isUpload;
   const submitText = isUpload ? 'Upload' : 'Finish';
 
-  const modalClasses = cx([style.modalWidthOverride, isExcel ? style.doExtend : null]);
-
-  console.log('debug', isExcel, modalClasses);
   return (
     <Modal
       onClose={handleClose}
@@ -171,33 +182,40 @@ export default function UploadModal({ onClose, isOpen }: UploadModalProps) {
           {uploadStep === 'upload' ? (
             <>
               <UploadFile />
-              {errors && <div className={style.error}>{errors}</div>}
               {isOntime && <OntimeFileOptions optionsRef={ontimeFileOptions} />}
               {isExcel && <ExcelFileOptions optionsRef={excelFileOptions} />}
             </>
           ) : (
-            <PreviewExcel rundown={rundown} project={project} userFields={userFields} />
+            <PreviewExcel
+              rundown={rundown ?? []}
+              project={project ?? projectDataPlaceholder}
+              userFields={userFields ?? userFieldsPlaceholder}
+            />
           )}
         </ModalBody>
-        <ModalFooter className={`${style.buttonSection} ${style.pad}`}>
-          <Button
-            onClick={handleGoBack}
-            isDisabled={disableGoBack || submitting}
-            variant='ontime-ghost-on-light'
-            size='sm'
-          >
-            Go Back
-          </Button>
-          <Button
-            onClick={handleSubmit}
-            isLoading={submitting}
-            isDisabled={disableSubmit}
-            variant='ontime-filled'
-            padding='0 2em'
-            size='sm'
-          >
-            {submitText}
-          </Button>
+        <ModalFooter>
+          <div className={style.feedbackSection}>{errors && <div className={style.error}>{errors}</div>}</div>
+
+          <div className={`${style.buttonSection} ${style.pad}`}>
+            <Button
+              onClick={handleGoBack}
+              isDisabled={disableGoBack || submitting}
+              variant='ontime-ghost-on-light'
+              size='sm'
+            >
+              Go Back
+            </Button>
+            <Button
+              onClick={handleSubmit}
+              isLoading={submitting}
+              isDisabled={disableSubmit}
+              variant='ontime-filled'
+              padding='0 2em'
+              size='sm'
+            >
+              {submitText}
+            </Button>
+          </div>
         </ModalFooter>
       </ModalContent>
     </Modal>
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/OntimeFileOptions.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/OntimeFileOptions.tsx
index 21e37c35c..f78ea2374 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/OntimeFileOptions.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/OntimeFileOptions.tsx
@@ -1,35 +1,32 @@
 import { MutableRefObject } from 'react';
 import { Switch } from '@chakra-ui/react';
 
+import { ProjectFileImportOptions } from '../../../../common/api/ontimeApi';
 import ModalSplitInput from '../../ModalSplitInput';
-import { OntimeInputOptions } from '../UploadModal';
 
 import style from '../UploadModal.module.scss';
 
 interface OntimeFileOptionsProps {
-  optionsRef: MutableRefObject<OntimeInputOptions>;
+  optionsRef: MutableRefObject<Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>>;
 }
 
 export default function OntimeFileOptions(props: OntimeFileOptionsProps) {
   const { optionsRef } = props;
 
-  const updateRef = <T extends keyof OntimeInputOptions>(field: T, value: OntimeInputOptions[T]) => {
+  const updateRef = <T extends keyof ProjectFileImportOptions>(field: T, value: ProjectFileImportOptions[T]) => {
     optionsRef.current = { ...optionsRef.current, [field]: value };
   };
 
   return (
     <div className={style.uploadOptions}>
       <span className={style.title}>Import options</span>
-      <ModalSplitInput
-        field=''
-        title='Only import rundown'
-        description='All other options, including application settings will be discarded'
-      >
+      <ModalSplitInput field='' title='Only import rundown' description='All other project options will be kept'>
         <Switch
           variant='ontime-on-light'
           onChange={(e) => {
-            updateRef('onlyImportRundown', e.target.checked);
+            updateRef('onlyRundown', e.target.checked);
           }}
+          defaultChecked={Boolean(optionsRef.current.onlyRundown)}
         />
       </ModalSplitInput>
     </div>
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadUtils.ts b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadUtils.ts
index 0798f97fe..16fc8b0eb 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadUtils.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadUtils.ts
@@ -1,33 +1,22 @@
-type ValidationStatus = {
-  errors: string[];
-  isValid: boolean;
-};
-
-export function validateFile(file: File): ValidationStatus {
-  const status: ValidationStatus = { errors: [], isValid: true };
+export function validateFile(file: File) {
   if (!file) {
-    status.errors.push('No file to upload');
-    status.isValid = false;
+    throw new Error('No file to upload');
   }
 
   // Limit file size of a project file to around 1MB
   if (file.name.endsWith('.json') && file.size > 1_000_000) {
-    status.errors.push('File size limit (1MB) exceeded');
-    status.isValid = false;
+    throw new Error('File size limit (1MB) exceeded');
   }
 
   // Limit file size of an excel file to around 10MB
   if (file.name.endsWith('.xlsx') && file.size > 10_000_000) {
-    status.errors.push('File size limit (10MB) exceeded');
-    status.isValid = false;
+    throw new Error('File size limit (10MB) exceeded');
   }
 
   // Check file extension
   if (!file.name.endsWith('.xlsx') && !file.name.endsWith('.json')) {
-    status.errors.push('Unhandled file type');
-    status.isValid = false;
+    throw new Error('Unhandled file type');
   }
-  return status;
 }
 
 export function isExcelFile(file: File | null) {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts
index f155ba374..ea5285b9b 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,16 @@
  * Class Event Provider is a mediator for handling the local db
  * and adds logic specific to ontime data
  */
-import { ProjectData, OntimeRundown, ViewSettings } from 'ontime-types';
+import {
+  ProjectData,
+  OntimeRundown,
+  ViewSettings,
+  DatabaseModel,
+  OSCSettings,
+  UserFields,
+  Alias,
+  Settings,
+} from 'ontime-types';
 
 import { data, db } from '../../modules/loadDb.js';
 import { safeMerge } from './DataProvider.utils.js';
@@ -45,7 +54,7 @@ export class DataProvider {
     return data.settings;
   }
 
-  static async setSettings(newData) {
+  static async setSettings(newData: Settings) {
     data.settings = { ...newData };
     await this.persist();
   }
@@ -58,7 +67,7 @@ export class DataProvider {
     return data.aliases;
   }
 
-  static async setAliases(newData) {
+  static async setAliases(newData: Alias[]) {
     data.aliases = newData;
     await this.persist();
   }
@@ -76,12 +85,12 @@ export class DataProvider {
     await this.persist();
   }
 
-  static async setUserFields(newData) {
+  static async setUserFields(newData: UserFields) {
     data.userFields = { ...newData };
     await this.persist();
   }
 
-  static async setOsc(newData) {
+  static async setOsc(newData: OSCSettings) {
     data.osc = { ...newData };
     await this.persist();
   }
@@ -95,7 +104,7 @@ export class DataProvider {
     await db.write();
   }
 
-  static async mergeIntoData(newData) {
+  static async mergeIntoData(newData: Partial<DatabaseModel>) {
     const mergedData = safeMerge(data, newData);
     data.project = mergedData.project;
     data.settings = mergedData.settings;
diff --git a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts
index f2ea10d68..eed142912 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
+import { DatabaseModel } from 'ontime-types';
+
 /**
  * Merges two data objects
  * @param {object} existing
  * @param {object} newData
  */
-export function safeMerge(existing, newData) {
-  const { rundown, project, settings, viewSettings, osc, http, aliases, userFields } = newData || {};
+export function safeMerge(existing: DatabaseModel, newData: Partial<DatabaseModel>) {
+  const { rundown, project, settings, viewSettings, osc, aliases, userFields } = newData || {};
   return {
     ...existing,
     rundown: rundown ?? existing.rundown,
@@ -32,6 +34,5 @@ export function safeMerge(existing, newData) {
           : {}),
       },
     },
-    http: { ...existing.http, ...http },
   };
 }
diff --git a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts
index 6a6f85a77..e17b019da 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts
@@ -42,11 +42,6 @@ describe('safeMerge', () => {
         onFinish: [],
       },
     },
-    http: {
-      enabled: true,
-      user: null,
-      pwd: null,
-    },
   };
 
   it('returns existing data if new data is not provided', () => {
@@ -188,19 +183,6 @@ describe('safeMerge', () => {
           onFinish: [],
         },
       },
-      http: {
-        user: null,
-        pwd: null,
-        messages: {
-          onLoad: [],
-          onStart: [],
-          onUpdate: [],
-          onPause: [],
-          onStop: [],
-          onFinish: [],
-        },
-        enabled: true,
-      },
     };
 
     const newData = {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts b/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts
index 9de1cccd5..4b831f131 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ const parseDb = async (fileToRead, adapterToUse) => {
     adapterToUse.data = dbModel;
   }
 
-  return parseJson(adapterToUse.data, true);
+  return parseJson(adapterToUse.data);
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts b/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts
index 9c33e9168..8da7f6642 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts
@@ -287,13 +287,13 @@ export function notifyChanges(options: { timer?: boolean | string[]; external?:
     updateTimer();
   }
 
-  if (options.external) {
-    // advice socket subscribers of change
-    sendRefetch();
-  }
-
   if (options.reset) {
     // force rundown to be recalculated
     forceReset();
   }
+
+  if (options.external) {
+    // advice socket subscribers of change
+    sendRefetch();
+  }
 }