Importing Data

5 min readPublished April 12, 2026

Data Import Overview

The Data Import page lets you bring existing data into Fixmo from external files. This is useful when migrating from another system or when you need to add records in bulk. You can import three types of data: Customers, Suppliers, and Inventory items. Only users with the Admin role can access this feature.

  1. 1Navigate to Settings > Data Import from the sidebar.
  2. 2Select the import type: Customers, Suppliers, or Inventory.
  3. 3Choose the file format: CSV, XLSX, or JSON.
  4. 4Upload your file and proceed to column mapping.

Supported File Formats

Fixmo accepts three common file formats for data import. Each format is parsed automatically when uploaded.

  • CSV — comma-separated values, the most common export format from spreadsheets and other software. The first row must contain column headers.
  • XLSX — Microsoft Excel format. Fixmo reads the first sheet of the workbook. The first row must contain column headers.
  • JSON — an array of objects where each object represents a record. Keys are used as column headers for mapping.

Column Mapping

After uploading a file, Fixmo reads the column headers and attempts to auto-map them to the correct fields using fuzzy header matching. You can review and adjust mappings before proceeding.

  1. 1Upload your file. Fixmo parses the headers and displays a mapping table.
  2. 2Each row in the mapping table shows your file's column header on the left and a Fixmo field dropdown on the right.
  3. 3Fixmo auto-maps columns when the header closely matches a known field name (e.g., 'First Name' maps to First Name, 'Phone' maps to Phone).
  4. 4Review the auto-mapped fields. Adjust any incorrect mappings using the dropdown selectors.
  5. 5Unmapped columns are ignored during import.
  6. 6Once satisfied with the mapping, choose your import mode: Bulk Import or Guided Import.
Tip

For best results, name your file columns to closely match Fixmo field names. For example, use 'First Name', 'Last Name', 'Phone', 'Email', 'Cost Price', 'Sell Price', and 'SKU' as headers.

Bulk Import Mode

Bulk Import processes your entire file at once. It is the fastest way to import large datasets when you are confident the data is clean.

  1. 1After mapping columns, click 'Bulk Import'.
  2. 2Fixmo validates and imports all rows in one operation.
  3. 3Duplicate records are automatically skipped (matching phone for customers, matching name for suppliers).
  4. 4A summary appears showing the number of records successfully imported and the number skipped due to duplicates or errors.
Note

Bulk Import is best for clean data files where you trust the formatting. For files that may need row-by-row corrections, use Guided Import instead.

Guided Import Mode

Guided Import lets you review and edit each row individually before saving it to Fixmo. This is ideal when your data needs cleanup or verification.

  1. 1After mapping columns, click 'Guided Import'.
  2. 2Fixmo displays the first row's data in an editable form with the mapped fields pre-filled.
  3. 3Review and edit the fields as needed — fix typos, fill in missing values, or adjust formatting.
  4. 4Click 'Save & Next' to save the current record and move to the next row.
  5. 5Use the row range selector to jump to a specific range of rows if you do not need to review every record.
  6. 6Continue until all desired rows have been reviewed and saved.
Tip

Guided Import is especially useful for inventory data where you may need to adjust pricing or verify SKUs row by row.

Tips & Troubleshooting

Follow these best practices to ensure smooth data imports.

  • Always include column headers in the first row of your CSV or XLSX file.
  • For customer imports, ensure each record has at least a first name and phone number. Records with duplicate phone numbers are skipped.
  • For supplier imports, ensure each record has a unique name. Records with duplicate names are skipped.
  • For inventory imports, check your plan's item limit before importing. If the import would exceed the limit, it will be blocked.
  • Use consistent formatting for phone numbers — Fixmo expects digits with an optional country code prefix.
  • If auto-mapping misidentifies a column, manually correct it in the mapping step before proceeding.
  • For large files, Bulk Import is significantly faster than Guided Import. Use Guided Import only when you need to review individual records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file formats does Fixmo data import support?+
Fixmo supports three file formats for data import: CSV (comma-separated values), XLSX (Microsoft Excel), and JSON. Choose the format that matches your existing data source.
How does automatic column mapping work?+
When you upload a file, Fixmo reads the column headers and uses fuzzy matching to automatically map them to the corresponding Fixmo fields (e.g., 'First Name', 'Phone', 'Cost Price'). You can review and adjust the mappings before importing.
What happens to duplicate records during import?+
Fixmo detects duplicates and skips them automatically. For customer imports, records with an existing phone number are skipped. For supplier imports, records with an existing supplier name are skipped. A summary shows how many records were imported and how many were skipped as duplicates.
Are there plan limits on data imports?+
Inventory imports are subject to your plan's inventory item limit. If importing would exceed your plan limit, the import is blocked with a message to upgrade. Customer and supplier imports have no plan-based limits.
Can non-admin users access data import?+
No. The Data Import feature is restricted to users with the Admin role. Managers, Technicians, and Cashiers cannot access the import page.
How do I handle errors during import?+
In Bulk Import mode, rows with validation errors are skipped and reported in the summary. In Guided Import mode, you can review and edit each row individually before saving, allowing you to fix errors on the spot. Check that required fields (e.g., name, phone) are filled and correctly mapped.

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