How to import an existing CSV into ScanSheet
Already have a list of barcodes in a CSV from another tool, a vendor spreadsheet, or an old scanner export? ScanSheet's Import CSV button reads the file, adds each barcode as a row, and respects the existing quantity if you have one.
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On this page (6 sections)
What a valid import CSV looks like
The first row of the CSV must be a header. ScanSheet looks for a column named barcode (case-insensitive). Optional columns named quantity and note are imported if present. Everything else is ignored.
How to import
- Open ScanSheet in your browser. Sign in if you want the imported data to sync to your account.
- Click the Import CSV button in the top toolbar.
- Select the .csv file from your computer.
- ScanSheet shows a preview: how many rows will be added, how many duplicates will be merged.
- Click Confirm. The rows appear in the table.
What happens to duplicates
If a barcode in the CSV already exists in the table, ScanSheet merges the rows: the new quantity is added to the existing one, and the note is appended with a separator. You can edit the result before exporting.
What happens if the import is too large
Free plan imports are truncated at 1,000 unique barcode rows. Pro plan imports up to 10,000. ScanSheet shows a warning before the import if the file would be truncated, and you can choose to import the first N rows or cancel.
Common import errors and how to fix them
- 'No barcode column found' — your header row does not include a barcode column. Add one and re-export the CSV.
- 'File is not UTF-8' — re-export the CSV as UTF-8. Excel can do this via Save As → CSV UTF-8.
- 'Empty file' — the CSV has no data rows. Check that the file is not just a header.
Recognized column names and accepted formats
| Column | Accepted names | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Barcode | barcode, Barcode, BARCODE, code, sku | Yes |
| Quantity | quantity, qty, count, scans | Optional — defaults to 1 |
| Note | note, notes, comment, description | Optional |
| First scan time | first_scanned, firstScan, first scan | Optional — defaults to import time |
Common use cases
- Migrating from a spreadsheet or old scanner export
- Importing a vendor's SKU list as a starting point
- Combining exports from multiple ScanSheet sessions into one sheet
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what teams ask before they switch to ScanSheet.
Can I import an XLSX file?
Not directly. Save the XLSX as CSV first (File → Save As → CSV UTF-8 in Excel) and then import the CSV. ScanSheet's import path is CSV-only to keep the code small and the format simple.
What column names are recognized?
barcode (or Barcode, BARCODE), quantity (or Quantity, qty, count), note (or Note, notes, comment). Other columns are ignored.
Can I import a Google Sheet directly?
Yes — File → Download → Comma-separated values (.csv) in Google Sheets, then import the downloaded file into ScanSheet.
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