CSV Order Import Guide
CSV Order Import Guide
Import orders from any source using CSV files. Perfect for platforms without direct integration or manual order entry.
When to Use CSV Import
Best For:
- Platforms without API integration
- Manual order entry
- Bulk historical imports
- Custom order sources
- Spreadsheet-based workflows
CSV File Requirements
Format Specifications:
- File format: .csv
- Encoding: UTF-8
- Max file size: 10MB
- Max rows: 10,000
Required Columns
Minimum Fields:
| Column | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| order_id | Unique identifier | ORD-001 |
| ship_name | Recipient name | John Smith |
| ship_address1 | Street address | 123 Main St |
| ship_city | City | New York |
| ship_state | State code | NY |
| ship_zip | Postal code | 10001 |
| ship_country | Country code | US |
Optional Columns
Additional Fields:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| ship_address2 | Apt/Suite |
| ship_phone | Phone number |
| ship_email | Email address |
| weight | Package weight (oz) |
| length | Length (in) |
| width | Width (in) |
| height | Height (in) |
| service | Shipping service |
| items | Item description |
Sample CSV
Example File:
order_id,ship_name,ship_address1,ship_city,ship_state,ship_zip,ship_country,weight
ORD-001,John Smith,123 Main St,New York,NY,10001,US,16
ORD-002,Jane Doe,456 Oak Ave,Los Angeles,CA,90001,US,8
ORD-003,Bob Wilson,789 Pine Rd,Chicago,IL,60601,US,24
Import Process
Step-by-Step:
- Prepare your CSV file
- Go to Orders → Import
- Click "Upload CSV"
- Map columns to fields
- Preview import
- Confirm and import
Column Mapping
Flexible Mapping:
- Auto-detect common headers
- Manual mapping for custom columns
- Save mapping templates
- Reuse for future imports
Validation Rules
Pre-Import Checks:
- Required fields present
- Valid addresses
- Proper format
- No duplicates
Error Handling
Common Errors:
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid address | Missing field | Complete address |
| Duplicate order | Same order_id | Remove duplicate |
| Invalid state | Wrong code | Use 2-letter code |
| Bad encoding | Non-UTF8 | Re-save as UTF-8 |
Import Preview
Review Before Import:
- Row count
- Error count
- Warning list
- Sample rows
Partial Imports
Handling Errors:
- Skip invalid rows
- Import valid only
- Download error report
- Fix and re-import
Import History
Track All Imports:
- Date and time
- File name
- Row count
- Success/error counts
- Download original
Templates
Pre-Built Templates:
- Basic orders
- With dimensions
- International orders
- Custom templates
Exporting Templates
Get Blank Template:
- Orders → Import
- Download Template
- Choose format
- Fill in data
Best Practices
For Successful Imports:
- Use UTF-8 encoding
- Include headers
- Validate addresses first
- Test with small batch
- Check for duplicates
Address Formatting
US Addresses:
ship_state: Use 2-letter code (NY, CA)
ship_zip: 5 or 9 digits (10001)
ship_country: US
International:
ship_state: Province/region
ship_zip: Local format
ship_country: 2-letter ISO code
Weight and Dimensions
Units:
- Weight: ounces (oz)
- Dimensions: inches (in)
- Convert if needed
Scheduling Imports
Automated Options:
- SFTP upload
- Scheduled folder watch
- API upload endpoint
Multi-Package Orders
Handling:
- One row per package
- Same order_id
- Different tracking
After Import
Next Steps:
- Review imported orders
- Verify addresses
- Select shipping service
- Create labels
Troubleshooting
Import Failed:
- Check file encoding
- Verify column headers
- Review error log
- Validate addresses
- Try smaller batch
Limitations
Current Limits:
- 10,000 rows max
- 10MB file size
- UTF-8 only
- No formula cells