CSV is short for ‘comma separated value’. It’s the way we format information we take out of Retail POS’s database so it can be read and edited in normal spreadsheet software. You can then add information back into our database in one big lot.

CSV files make it heaps faster to add or edit large amounts of data in Retail POS.

Where in Retail POS are CSV files used?

CSV files are used to add or change information in lots of places in Retail POS: 

• Products
  • Adding new products
  • Editing existing products
• Customers
  • Adding new customers
  • Editing existing customers
• Stock management
• Add inventory when I open my store
  • Adding products to a stock order
• Adding products to a stock transfer
  • Adding products to a price book

What do I need to know before I get started?

Sounds awesome, right? That’s because they are. At first, they can be a bit overwhelming, but once you get used to them, they’ll make your product and customer management faster and easier.

However, it’s important to be careful when using CSV files as if you make a mistake, you could accidentally overwrite your store’s data.

There are some important things you should remember when working with CSV files:

• Always make a backup. Keep a copy of any CSV file you export from Retail POS before you make any changes.
• The spreadsheet software ‘Excel’ shortens long numbers automatically. This is called truncation. We recommend you use an alternate program, such as Open Office, Google Docs, or Numbers. If you would like to use Excel, you should always open CSV files following this process. 
• It doesn’t matter what order your columns are in as long as you have the correct titles and the mandatory fields for the CSV you’re working with.