Import items from Excel or CSV

Start from a file

Download the Surge import template, add your items, and upload it. Excel (.xlsx) and CSV (.csv) both work.

Download template (Excel) · Download template (CSV)

Moving from another system? Most point-of-sale systems can export their item library to a spreadsheet. Upload that file as it is: on the Match step you choose what each column is imported as, and columns you don't need can stay Don't import.

You can also download a template made for your business, with your locations, taxes and modifier sets already in it: go to Store setup > Items, click Actions and choose Blank import template (Excel) or Blank import template (CSV).

Rows named EXAMPLE are never imported, so add your items on new rows.

Import your library

1. Go to Store setup > Items.
2. Click Actions, then Import library.
3. On Upload, drag your file into the box or click Browse file.
4. On Match columns, check what each Column in your file is imported as. Set columns you don't need to Don't import.
5. Click Next. Surge checks the file but changes nothing yet.
6. On Review, read the summary: items and variations created or updated, stock counts set, and any errors or warnings.
7. Click Import, then Done.

The main columns

• Item Name is needed on every row. Variation Name is the size, like Large.
• Token is Surge's own ID for a variation. Leave it as exported.
• SKU is your code. GTIN is the barcode.
• Category: a new category name is created for you. Price is in dollars.
• Archived: Y takes the item off the register.
• Option Name 1 and Option Value 1 hold options, like Size and Large.
• Default Unit Cost is what one costs you.
• Enabled [location]: Y or N, sold at that location. Price [location] is a different price there; blank uses the main price.
• New Quantity [location] sets the stock count. Stock counts must be on.
• Tax - [name] ([rate]): Y charges that tax on the item, N exempts it. Modifier Set - [name]: Y offers that set. The tax or set must already exist.

How rows are matched

• A row updates an existing item when it matches by Token, by SKU, or by item and variation name.
• A row that matches nothing creates a new item.
• Nothing is ever deleted by an import.
• Stock comes from New Quantity. For items not counted in Surge yet, Current Quantity is used as the starting count.
• Importing the same file twice changes nothing the second time.
• Errors stop the whole import and nothing is saved. Warnings don't stop it.

Fix a mistake

There is no undo for an import. To correct one, fix the file and import it again: matching rows are updated. To take off items it added, set Archived to Y and import again, or click Archive item on each one.

Export your library

Click Actions and choose Export library (Excel) or Export library (CSV). You can edit the file and import it back to change many items at once.