In this article, we’ll focus on how you can import your inventory levels/quantities. We recommend setting up your product details first before attempting to import quantity levels.

CSV Setup

Setting up your spreadsheet file

Start with a spreadsheet and create the following mandatory headers/columns:

1. Product name
2. Location
3. Quantity

These are required fields to ensure a successful import. Fill in your spreadsheet with the details of your items. Here are some things to note:

• The Product name in the spreadsheet must exactly match the name in inFlow Inventory.
• If a Product name in the spreadsheet does not exactly match a record found in inFlow Inventory, a new product record will be created for that item.
• You may also add the optional headers/columns of Sublocation and Serial Numbers.

If you’re using FIFO or LIFO costing, creating a purchase order is the only way to update your product costs. For more on how to import purchase orders, take a look here.

For this type of import, you may repeat the product name multiple times in the spreadsheet; this allows you to specify different quantities, locations, and serial numbers (if applicable) associated with one item

An example of how to set up your spreadsheet is shown below. You will notice product names are repeated for a reason:

• 10012A item is repeated two times, for two different locations (“Main Warehouse” and “Showroom”)
• LDHLF72 item is repeated five times to account for each unique serial number associated with it

If you intend to track sublocations (optional), such as aisle or bin numbers, be sure to turn the sublocation option on; otherwise, you won’t see them after the import!

Stock levels import example

If you’d like to take a look at a CSV template with sample data, take a look at the file below.

Saving as a CSV file from Excel

Before you import, make sure your file is saved as a CSV. To do so:

1. Choose File > Save As from the drop-down menu.
2.  At the bottom of this window, you’ll see a field named Save as Type. Choose CSV (comma delimited) from the drop-down.
3. Click Save.
4. Excel will warn you about the loss of formatting this is not a problem. Please click Yes to complete your save.

In order to import data which may contain special characters, save the spreadsheet as a CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited) file.

Web

Importing to inFlow

1. From the inFlow Homepage, click on the Main menu > Import.
2. From the Data type drop-down menu, select Stock levels.
3. Below, select your CSV file from your computer, then click Next.
4. On the next screen, select one of the below options to update the stock levels.
   • Set inventory levels to what’s being imported
   • Add it to the existing inventory levels
   • Subtract it from existing inventory
5. Select an Adjustment reason from the drop-down menu.
6. You’ll see a preview of your products and their respective quantities below.
7. To check the mapping of the fields, click Edit data mapping.
8. Match the inFlow fields on the left with your spreadsheet headers/columns (if it’s not auto-mapped for you).
9. Click Import.
10. You’ll see an Import is in progress message, and you’ll receive an email when the import is done.

If you intend to track sublocations (optional), such as aisle or bin numbers, be sure to turn the sublocation option on; otherwise, you won’t see them after the import!

Windows

Importing to inFlow

First, go to  Main Menu > General > Import Data and select Stock Levels.

You will see the screen above. Choose which one matches the import you’re attempting. Generally, it’s best to set inventory levels to the numbers in your file, but if you are working with a .csv file where the numbers are inventory deducted (instead of the total amount left in stock), then you can use “Subtract from existing inventory,” for example.

Click the Import button and check your current stock!

If you intend to track sublocations (optional), such as aisle or bin numbers, be sure to turn the sublocation option on; otherwise, you won’t see them after the import!