Inventory Importer - Create Inventory

You may import inventory directly into Bindo using the Bindo Dashboard importer.  The following instructions provide additional information regarding the importer, but if you need assistance importing your inventory please do not hesitate to contact the Bindo Support Team.

To import your inventory, please follow these steps:

1
Download Import Template

This Bindo Inventory Template  includes multiple tabs with instructions, examples, as well as a tab for your data.  This spreadsheet can be opened using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. This file is a .XLSX file with, but keep in mind that your data must be saved as a .CSV file.

2
Add Your Data

Add data into relevant columns on the spreadsheet - note that data is required in some columns and optional in others. Row 2 of the "Your Data - Save as CSV" tab of the Import Template includes text to help you.  For example as show here the first column "action" is required, but the second column "bpid" is optional.  Make sure that you DO NOT edit any of the column header text in Row 1.  

Note that some fields are required on a conditional basis.  For example Supplier Name is optional, but if you include a Cost for an item you must also include a Supplier Name.  Please refer to row 2 within the template for additional importer rules and information.

3
Verify Tax Rates

Before importing items into your store you must verify that each of the tax rates listed on your spreadsheet exist in your store. If you attempt to import items and the associated tax rate does not exist in your store the import will be rejected. Prior to the import make sure that all Tax Rates listed in column K are also listed in the Tax Options list for your store.  Visit this link for more information on managing taxes and tax options.

4
Prepare Your File(s)

If using the Import Template from this page delete row 2 from your spreadsheet prior to importing the file - otherwise Bindo will think row 2 is a product! As noted above the file that you import must be a .CSV file - save the relevant tab ("Your Data - Save as CSV") as a .CSV file. If you are importing images make sure files exist for all image file names in column AA and compress image files into a .ZIP file.

5
Import Your File(s)

Log into your store on the  Bindo Dashboard and navigate to the Inventory page.  Click on the "Import" button in the bottom right corner of the screen.  Click on the "Choose File" button and select the CSV file only (if you have images they will be added later). 

Once you add your file, validation will begin as indicated by the below message.  Note that if you are uploading a large number of products the validation process may take a couple of minutes.  Do not close your browser window during this process. 

Following the CSV file upload you may upload your ZIP file containing images.  The image file upload button will only appear if your CSV file passes validation.  If you do not have images to upload simply skip the image file upload.

Click the orange "Import" button to complete the import.  Once the import is complete you will see a success message, note that the import may take several minutes to complete. 

6
Understanding Warnings & Errors

During the import process you may encounter warnings or errors which display following the CSV file validation process. Warnings are messages that are for your information only and do not prevent a file from being imported, whereas errors must be corrected prior to file import. If you are not sure how to correct an error please contact us at  support@bindo.com.  

Additional Information on Inventory Template Fields

Required Fields

Field Name Field name on template Format Remarks
action action add/edit if action is "add", importer will create a new listing. This should apply to all first-time Bindo user.
if action is "edit", importer will edit old listing's data. Old listing data will be replaced by new data which user filled in. If user don't want to edit some part of the listing, keep it blank.
User must fill in bpid if it's a edit action.
bpid bpid 89lbbu78fv If user use "edit" mode, it must be provided.
It could be found in the inventory report under Reports tab.
Listing Name listing_name Product name The tile of your item. This is what prints on the receipt. Capitalize properly, use as few abbreviations as possible, and be descriptive! If you're coming from an older system that had limitation on this field, it's crucial to update your titles. (e.g. 'CON AS HI BLK CV 10' should be changed to "Converse all-Star High-Tops, Black Canvas, Size 10")
Price standard_price General number You should input your product price as general number - NO SYMBOL!
Quantity in stockroom qty_in_stockroom General number This is the "Stockroom" quantity - numbers only. If left blank, item will default to "unlimited". Enter "0" if you only want to track "On-Shelf" quantity
Quantity on shelf qty_on_shelf General number This is the "On-Shelf" quantity - numbers only too.

Optional Fields

Field Name Field name on template Format Remarks
Serial Number serial_numbers serial-number1|serial-number2|serial-number3 Serial numbers for the product. You may add multiple serial numbers separated by a "|".
Tax tax tax name1|tax name2|tax name3 The tax name for the tax rate that should be associated with this product. The tax rate must already exist in your store ( you should created it before importing, simply go to setting => tax options). You may add multiple tax rates separated by a "|".
Supplier supplier_name supplier name This is the supplier's name. This is required if you enter a supplier product id, cost, reorder trigger point, or reorder amount.
Image File Name image_names image1.jpg|image2.png|image3.jpg If you have an image for the item, enter the filename of the image, including extension (e.g. "itemb.jpg") and compile all images into a .zip file to be sent along with the completed template.
Department department dept=>sub-dept=>third-level This is the department. This field allows for multiple levels. Use "=>" to separate a department from a parent department - for example enter "Clothing => Shirts" to add an item into the "Shirts" department which is a child department of "Clothing".

Matrix Related Fields

Field Name Field name on template Format Remarks
Matrix parent parent_name the parent product name For matrix items only. Enter the name of the "Parent" product. This is not an actual product, but instead it represents the group of products that make up the matrix
Matrix key matrix_key_1, matrix_key_2 size, color etc. These are the attributes and variants that you can use to create a matrix or you may use these fields to create custom attributes associated with non-matrix product. A common attributes associated with a non-matrix product. A common example of a matrix is a shirt with three sizes. For that product you would enter three rows onto the spreadsheet. The "matrix_key_1" value for all 3 rows should be "Size" and the "matrix_value_1" should be the size value (i.e. "Small", "Medium", "Large").
Matrix attribute matrix_value_1, matrix_value_2 small/medium/large, green/red/yellow etc.

Matrix Example

Listing_name parent_name matrix_key_1 Matrix_value_1 matrix_key_2 Matrix_value_2
Polo Shirt Blue S Polo Shirt Color Blue Size S
Polo Shirt Green S Polo Shirt Color Green Size S
Polo Shirt Red S Polo Shirt Color Red Size S
Polo Shirt Blue M Polo Shirt Color Blue Size M
Polo Shirt Green M Polo Shirt Color Green Size M
Polo Shirt Red M Polo Shirt Color Red Size M
Polo Shirt Blue L Polo Shirt Color Blue Size L
Polo Shirt Green L Polo Shirt Color Green Size L
Polo Shirt Red L Polo Shirt Color Red Size L

List of Warning & Error Messages

Error Description
File can't be open Your file may be corrupted, or the upload process has been terminated due to an unstable network. Please export a new .csv file and try again.
File is not in UTF-8 Your file does not have the correct encoding format. The importer supports UTF-8 encoding only.
To fix this error:
1. Right click your .CSV file, choose "open with"
2. Use notepad to open your .csv file.
3. Choose "File" -> "Save as"
4. For encoding, choose "UTF-8", then press "Save"
Listing # is too large (>10000 rows) There are too many listing in your file. The maximum amount of listings per import is 10,000.
Please separate your data into multiple files.
Leading or ending empty space found in field Please make sure that your field don't have any hidden space. Hidden space may seriously affect your report accuracy, so it's not allowed to be imported.
For example, " 123 " is different from "123".
Listing name must be provided Listing name is a required filed.  
Qty on shelf is not provided Quantity on shelf data is required. Please fill in 0 if you don't have any qty in stock.
Qty on shelf must be a number Quantity on shelf must be a numeric value - you may not enter anything other than a number 0 or greater.
Qty in stockroom is not provided See above - same as "Qty on shelf"
Qty in stockroom must be a number See above - same as "Qty on shelf"
Secondary Bar code is duplicated in csv Each barcode must be unique.  You may not import duplicate barcodes.  This message indicates that two barcodes listed on your spreadsheet are duplicates.
Secondary Bar code is duplicated in db Each barcode must be unique.  You may not import duplciate barcodes.  This message indicates that a barcode listed on your spreadsheet is already associated with an item in your store.
Standard price must be provided Price is required.
Standard price must be a number Price must be numeric. Do not include any currency symbols - numbers only
Tax name not found Tax must be created before you import the file.
You could create a tax in setting->Tax Option.
# of Serial Number should equal to # of Qty on shelf You have to list serial numbers for all products on your shelf. The number of serial numbers listed must equal the number listed in the quantity on shelf field.
Serial Number is duplicated in same listing You have to change one of two identical serial numbers.
In store only accepts only Y or N If you enable this setting, this listing won't show up on your online store.
Please fill in "Y" or "N" ONLY for "in store only" setting. Don't leave it blank.
Discontinued accepts only Y or N If you enable this setting, this listing won't add to your purchase order when qty reached reorder trigger point.
You could still sell this listing to your customer even this setting is ON.
Please fill in "Y" or "N" ONLY for "in store only" setting. Don't leave it blank.
Supplier product id must come with supplier name If a product id has been listed, you have to provide a supplier name associated with it.
Cost must be provided If you have filled in supplier name, cost must be filled in.
You could fill in 0 if you don't want to monitor product cost.
Cost must be a number Same as price. It must be numeric. Do not include any currency symbols - numbers only
Cost must come with supplier name Supplier name must be provided if you have filled in cost.
Reorder trigger point must be a number Same as price and cost. It must be numeric. Do not include any currency symbols - numbers only
Reorder trigger point must come with supplier name If you have filled in supplier name, reorder trigger point and reorder qty must be filled in.
You could fill in 0 if you don't want to use purchase order auto reorder feature for specific listing.
Reorder amount must be a number Same as above. It must be numeric. Do not include any currency symbols - numbers only
Reorder amount must come with supplier name If you have filled in supplier name, reorder trigger point and reorder qty must be filled in.
You could fill in 0 if you don't want to use purchase order auto reorder feature for specific listing.
Parent name is duplicated in db Please make sure that matrix parent listing is not a existing listing in your inventory. We don't support mapping a new child listing to existing parent listing.
Matrix attributes is not provided Matrix attributes is a must if you have filled in parent listing name.
Matrix attributes key duplicated You have to change one of the two identical variables in the matrix
Matrix attributes key not match The variables are not match
Matrix attributes value duplicated Same as above. You have to change one of the two identical variables in the matrix

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