Main focus

Import products into a new or empty inventory from an Excel or CSV file, then map the file columns to Mobile Inventory fields.

Applies to

  • Android
  • iOS
  • Web

Watch the steps

Quick path

Follow these steps

  1. From Inventories, create a new inventory, or open an empty inventory.
  2. Tap IMPORT your Excel product list.
  3. Select a local or cloud file, or upload the file in the Web importer and enter its code.
  4. Review Match fields and map each file column to the correct app field.
  5. Tap Proceed with the import, then verify the imported product list.

Watch the Web steps

Create the inventory in the Web app, upload the file, check Match fields, then verify the imported rows.

Before you start

  • Use an Excel (.xls, .xlsx) or CSV (.csv) file.
  • Put clear column headers in the first row. The first row is used for field matching.
  • For Excel files, keep the product data on Sheet1, the first sheet.
  • Use one row per product and one column per field.
  • Include at least one product identifier such as SKU, Product name, Barcode, or NFC code.
  • For very large product lists, CSV usually imports faster than Excel.

Import path decision

SituationUseResult
New or empty inventoryImport productsCreates products from the file in that inventory.
Existing inventory where products must be updated or addedImport & Update ProductsUpdates matching products and adds rows that do not match. Existing unmatched products stay in the inventory.
File is on a computerWeb importer at minv.app/importUploads the file and shows a 6-character code or QR code for the Android or iOS app.

File format rules

  • Supported formats: .xls, .xlsx, and .csv.
  • First row: use it as the header row. Headers such as SKU, Product Name, Barcode, Quantity, Unit, and Category make mapping safer.
  • Excel sheet: the importer reads the first sheet, usually named Sheet1.
  • Identifiers: include SKU when possible. Product name, Barcode, or NFC code can also identify products, but SKU is easier to maintain.
  • Optional fields: you can map Unit of Measure, Category, Book Quantity, batching fields, and Custom Fields when those columns exist.
  • Existing products: do not use this flow to update a live inventory. Use Import/update products in batch for that job.

Key screens

Start from a new or empty inventory.
Choose a file on the device or enter the Web importer code.
Review the suggested field mapping before importing.
Check the product list after the import finishes.

Web key screens

Upload the CSV or Excel file from the empty Products page.
Review the automatic field matches before importing.
Check the product count and imported rows after the import finishes.

Use the Web importer when the file is on a computer

The Web app helps when the file is on a computer. Open Send Excel to mobile at web.mobileinventory.net/misc/import, or use minv.app/import, upload the Excel or CSV file, then scan the QR code or enter the displayed code in Mobile Inventory.

Upload the file from the Web app or from minv.app/import.
Scan the QR code or enter the code in the import screen.
Enable Auto add inventory when you want Mobile Inventory to create the inventory and map fields automatically.

Written steps

  1. From Inventories, create a new inventory, or open an empty inventory where the products should be imported.
  2. Tap IMPORT your Excel product list.
  3. Choose Open file chooser to select a local, Google Drive, or Dropbox file, or upload the file at minv.app/import and enter the displayed code.
  4. When Match fields opens, check the suggested mapping for every file column.
  5. Map identifiers such as SKU, Product name, Barcode, or NFC code. Map any optional fields you want to import.
  6. Leave a column unmapped only if you do not want to import that field.
  7. Tap Proceed with the import.
  8. After the import finishes, open the product list and verify the product count and several imported products.

Import into an existing inventory

If the inventory already contains products, do not use a full product import to update it. Use Import/update products in batch so the app can match rows by SKU or Barcode, update mapped fields, and keep existing products that are not in the file.

After the import

  • Confirm the number of imported products.
  • Open several products and check the mapped fields.
  • If the file was mapped incorrectly, create a fresh inventory and repeat the import with corrected mappings.