Importing a CSV adds many rows to a list at once — to start a list off from a spreadsheet, or to bring in a batch. You see exactly what will happen before anything is written, and the import is all or nothing.

Who can do this

Workspace Admins and Editors can import rows. Only Admins can create a new column from a header in the file; an Editor matches headers to the columns the list already has.

Before you start

  • The list must exist. See Create a list.
  • Save the file as CSV in UTF-8. In Excel, choose CSV UTF-8 when you save.
  • The first line must be the headers.

Steps

  1. Select Lists in the bar at the top of the page, and select the list's name to open it.
  2. Select Import CSV at the top right. A box opens: Import a CSV into Processed invoices, Step 1 of 3.
    • You can also select Import CSV in the list's ⋮ menu on the Lists page.
  3. Drop the file on the box that says Drop a CSV here, or select choose a file. The box shows the file's name, size and number of rows.
  4. Select Next. The screen Match the headers to columns opens, Step 2 of 3.
  5. For each header in the file, under Goes into, check the column it goes into:
    • Headers that match a column's name are matched already — Invoice No goes into invoice_no. The line above says how many were matched by name, and how many are left to you.
    • Choose a column of the list in the menu, or
    • Create invoice_date · Date and time to make a new column from it — Admins only. Change the new column's name and type in the boxes that appear, or
    • Do not bring this in to leave it out.
  6. Select Next. The button reads Checking while Bizomate works out the import. The last screen, Step 3 of 3, says what will happen:
    • how many rows will come in, or are new;
    • how many are already here — when the list has a unique column and the file repeats values already in it;
    • how many will not come in, because of a type or a required column;
    • and the first four rows as they will look.
  7. If some rows are already here, choose:
    • Update them — The row that is here keeps its invoice_no and takes the file’s values in every column you matched. Columns you left out are not touched.
    • Skip them — The rows already here are left exactly as they are, and the file’s versions are thrown away.
  8. If some rows will not come in, read why under Why the 43 will not come in, and select Download the 43 as a CSV to keep them with the reason on each line.
  9. Select Import 1,163 rows. The button reads Importing while it works.

A toast says Imported into Processed invoices — 1,120 added, 43 updated, 12 left out., and the list shows its new rows.

What happens next

  • It is all or none. Every row that can come in comes in, in one go; if the save fails, the list is exactly as it was.
  • New columns made from headers are added to the list with the rows.
  • The company's Owner and Admins are told, except whoever imported: Asha Raghunathan imported 1,120 rows into Processed invoices, with Open the list.
  • The rows count towards the plan at once. Crossing 80% or 100% of the plan's rows tells the Owner and Admins as well.

Good to know

  • Up to 10 MB and 20,000 lines in one file. Split a bigger one and bring it in twice.
  • Commas, semicolons or tabs between values — Bizomate works out which. UTF-8, with or without a byte-order mark.
  • The list keeps the rows it already has. An import only adds rows, or updates the ones whose unique value is already there. Its columns do not change unless you create one.
  • A header left out brings nothing in.
  • Each column takes one header. A column already chosen for one header is greyed out for the others.
  • A new column's type is guessed from the file's values: all numbers become Number, all yes/no become True/false, all dates become Date and time, anything else Text. Check it before you go on.
  • Without a unique column, every line is added as a new row, repeats and all.
  • Dates are read day first — 12/08/2026 14:20 is 12 August — in your own time zone, unless they carry their own offset.
  • Numbers may have thousands separators in their proper places — 62,400.00 — but no currency signs.
  • True/false values may be yes, no, true, false, y, n, 1 or 0.
  • A header with no name is called Column 3 (by its place).

If something goes wrong

Before the last screen

What you see Why What to do
The file is over 10 MB. Split it and bring it in twice. The file is too big. Split it into smaller files.
The file has 24,310 rows — more than 20,000. Split it and bring it in twice. Too many lines. Split it into files of 20,000 rows or fewer.
The file is not UTF-8. Save it as “CSV UTF-8” and choose it again. The file was saved in another encoding. Save it again as CSV UTF-8.
The file is empty. / The file has no lines. There is nothing in the file. Choose the right file.
The file has headers but no rows under them. Only the header line is there. Add rows, or choose another file.
No header goes into a column, so nothing would come in. Every header is set to Do not bring this in. Match at least one header to a column.
Two headers go into the same column. Each column takes one. Two headers point at one column. Change one of them.
invoice_no is Required and no header goes into it, so every new row would be left out. No header goes into a Required column. Match a header to it.
Creating a column from a header is admin-only. Ask an admin if the file has a column the list does not. You are an Editor. Match the header to an existing column, leave it out, or ask an Admin.
There is already a column called invoice_date. A new column's name is taken. Give the new column another name.

Why a row will not come in

Reason on the row What to do
Number — take the currency out Remove ₹, $ and other signs from the number.
Number — that is not one Correct the value.
True/false — yes, no, true or false Use one of those words.
Date and time — no year I can read Write the year in full: 12/08/2026, not 12/08/26.
Date and time — not one I can read Write it as 12/08/2026 or 12/08/2026 14:20.
Required — the cell is empty Fill the cell, or make the column not Required.
Required — and it is the unique column Every row needs a value in the unique column.
invoice_no repeats line 12 of the file The file has the same unique value twice; only the first comes in.
Text — over 32 KB Shorten the text.

On the last screen

What you see Why What to do
This import is bigger than your plan allows — This would take you to 26,100 of 25,000 rows The company does not have room for this many rows. Nothing has been imported. Bring in fewer rows, delete rows you have finished with, or move to a bigger plan — Pro has no row limit.
Something went wrong, and nothing was imported. The list is exactly as it was. The import could not be saved. Try again.