Import a CSV or spreadsheet
CSV, TSV, XLSX and XLS are supported delivery formats for the same import flow used by APIs, integrations, email and documents.
Prepare and upload
- Put the column names in the first row. In a CSV file every column needs a name, and no two names may be the same.
- Include a column that identifies each row and never changes, such as the SKU or the supplier’s product code. Biosphere matches later files by it.
- Save calculated values in your workbook before uploading. Biosphere reads the saved result and keeps the formula as evidence. A missing saved result or spreadsheet error leaves that field unchanged and adds a warning.
- Biosphere simplifies column names: “Unit Price” becomes unit_price. That’s the name you’ll see when mapping.
- Each sheet of a workbook is reviewed separately. Biosphere reads the first filled row of each sheet as its column names.
- To set variant options such as size or colour, name the columns Option Size and Option Colour. They become option fields when you import catalog variants.
Drop the file on Drop files here or choose files in Inbox or Configure → Connections → Files. Confirm who issued the data during review; an exact issuer-name match may appear as a suggestion. One file opens directly; several get separate arrival rows. Read the retained rows and choose the collection you want to review.
Review the meaning
The review shows a table of the rows exactly as read, and the number of rows read. For a workbook, open Worksheet evidence to inspect saved values, formulas, notes, color swatches, merged ranges and photo anchors. Source links are shown as text; they are not opened. Inspect a cell with a photo and use its View photo button for a private preview. Originals stay unchanged, and viewing a photo adds no record attachment. Unavailable previews explain how to use the original or upload the photo separately. If the workbook has several sheets, a menu at the top lists each sheet with its row count; choose the one to work on. Use Scout’s Summary, Questions or Preview, or map the fields with Fields, Table or Columns. Your chosen view is remembered. Confident choices are already selected; answer only unresolved choices under Needs you. Inspect the saved choices in a Scout view under Details → What Scout understood, or choose Edit in Manual to change one. Choose the record type, review the mapped identifier and field suggestions, then select Save fields. A source column, nested path, related record or fixed value can supply a field. Unmapped columns remain evidence. For catalog groups, an Item reference groups variants; a SKU identifies a variant.
Review the proposed changes, coverage and future-arrival policy, then select Approve import. No business record changes before approval. Use Source records to choose a subset when some rows need correction.
See Map a source and Review and approve changes.
Later arrivals
An approved source and exact shape can reuse remembered choices. Automatic processing additionally checks trusted attribution, validation and field ownership. Changed columns or unknown relationships return to review. Users do not name or select templates.
Future arrivals
An approved policy can apply future arrivals with trusted attribution and the same field meanings automatically. Choose Review each time in Configure → Sources to require approval for every arrival. A standalone upload still needs its source confirmed; matching columns, tags or a suggested name grant no authority. Changed fields, unknown relationships and conflicts return to review.