CSV imports and exports
Use CSV files to set up or maintain SKUs and supplier items in bulk. TrueSKU imports are designed to update existing records where possible, not create accidental duplicates.
SKU CSV imports
SKU CSV import is used for creating and maintaining normal SKU records. Existing SKUs are matched by the sku column within your account.
| What you want to do | How it behaves |
|---|---|
| Create new SKUs | If the SKU code does not already exist, TrueSKU creates a new SKU. A name is required for new SKUs. |
| Update existing SKUs | If the SKU code already exists, TrueSKU updates supported fields on that SKU instead of duplicating it. |
| Edit descriptions/names in bulk | Export the SKU CSV, edit the name and other supported fields, then re-import it with the same sku values. |
| Change stock quantities | Do not use the SKU CSV importer. Stock quantities must be changed through stock movements, sales, purchase orders or stock takes. |
Common SKU columns
Supported SKU import columns include sku, name, image_url, barcode, location, notes, custom_attributes, sync_excluded, stock_mode, reorder_threshold and is_dead.
sku column stable when re-importing. If you change the SKU code, TrueSKU treats it as a different stock record.Supplier Item CSV imports
Supplier item imports are normally run from inside a supplier's item page. That means the import already knows which supplier you are working on.
| Identifier | Used for | Required? |
|---|---|---|
supplier_item_id | Exact update of a supplier item from an exported file. | Optional. Useful for export/re-import. |
order_code | The supplier's product/order code. Used to find existing supplier items within the current supplier. | Yes for normal imports. |
supplier_id | Internal TrueSKU supplier reference used in exports and API/debugging. | No for normal imports from a supplier page. |
supplier_name | Human-readable reference in exports. | No. It helps you read the file but is not normally needed for matching. |
If supplier_item_id is present, TrueSKU can use it for an exact update. If it is not present, TrueSKU updates by order_code within the supplier you are importing into.
Common Supplier Item columns
Common supplier item columns include order_code, name, cost_price, currency, lead_time_days, pack_qty, moq, tax_rate, barcode, location, notes, active, discontinued and min_stock.
Tax rate format
Use plain numeric values in CSV files.
| VAT rate | CSV value |
|---|---|
| 20% VAT | 20 |
| Zero-rated | 0 |
| Reduced 5% VAT | 5 |
Do not include the percent sign unless the import screen specifically says it supports that format.
Barcode and location behaviour
These are useful when your supplier spreadsheet is your cleanest source of operational data.
When a new SKU is created from a supplier item, barcode and location are copied across where available.
If a SKU already has a barcode or location, treat changes as deliberate data maintenance rather than automatic guessing.
Recommended spreadsheet workflow
Use the template for first imports, or export existing records when you want to update them.
Do not change stable identifiers like SKU code or supplier order code unless you intend to create or rename records.
Use the import preview to check creates, updates, unchanged rows and errors.
TrueSKU validates the file and reports what changed.