ScanSheet
CSV import how-to

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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Drop in a CSV with a barcode column and optional quantity and note columns Built into every ScanSheet session, no install or signup required.
Duplicates are merged automatically — quantities add up Built into every ScanSheet session, no install or signup required.
Imports above the row limit are truncated with a clear warning Built into every ScanSheet session, no install or signup required.
On this page (6 sections)
  1. What a valid import CSV looks like
  2. How to import
  3. What happens to duplicates
  4. What happens if the import is too large
  5. Common import errors and how to fix them
  6. Recognized column names and accepted formats

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

  1. Open ScanSheet in your browser. Sign in if you want the imported data to sync to your account.
  2. Click the Import CSV button in the top toolbar.
  3. Select the .csv file from your computer.
  4. ScanSheet shows a preview: how many rows will be added, how many duplicates will be merged.
  5. 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

ColumnAccepted namesRequired?
Barcodebarcode, Barcode, BARCODE, code, skuYes
Quantityquantity, qty, count, scansOptional — defaults to 1
Notenote, notes, comment, descriptionOptional
First scan timefirst_scanned, firstScan, first scanOptional — defaults to import time

How to import an existing CSV into ScanSheet

Common use cases

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.

Related reading

Continue with these ScanSheet guides.

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