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Importing customers in bulk with an Excel spreadsheet

Maxime avatar
Written by Maxime
Updated over a month ago

The procedure for importing bulk customers is described here.

To start with a sample file, you can:

  • Download the generic sample file from the platform

  • Export an existing customer and reuse the file as starting point.

It is essential to use a file that the platform can understand. That implies that:

  • The format should be .xls (Excel 97-2003).
    => Warning! When saving your changes, the format may be overwritten to something else!

  • The file structure must remain identical to the one used in the sample file:

    • Do not add or delete columns

    • Avoid hyperlinks

    • The 'Customers' tab must remain as is and cannot be renamed

    • Mandatory data

        • Customer number (except if the autonumbering setting is active)

        • Customer's name

        • Delivery channel (email ; print_and_post ; print_at_home)

        • Address columns : Country code (BE, NL, FR, UK, LU, …) You'll find a full list of country codes here

    • Recommended data:

        • Adress columns

          • Address

          • Post code

          • City

        • Language (BE, NL, LU, F, GB, .... if not indicated, the default language of the platform will be used)

        • TRN type (Trade Registration Number = company number) - it can be CBE, CoC, SIREN, SIRET

        • VAT number

  • Format requirements of certain columns

    • Customer number

      • The format must be text

    • CBE or VAT number:

      • No dots, no spaces

      • Format: BE0123456789

      • Warning! A check is done on the CBE number. A CBE number is limited to one customer only.

    • Post code:

      • The format must be text

        • The post code must be preceded by the ´ character in order to guarantee the correct interpretation of the data.

  • The file cannot contain too many lines. Uploading a file that is too big will increase the risk of a technical time-out, causing the import to fail. We recommend a maximum of 150 lines per upload.

Notes:

  • If your file is too big and you split it up in several files, please make sure to deactivate the auto-numbering feature (Settings > Automation > Auto-numbering of customers/suppliers).

  • The import feature also allows updating existing customers. Matching is made on the customer number.

  • Existing customers can be deleted manually from the platform (e.g. in case of duplicates)

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