Can I import Item Types and Item Type properties?

In this article, learn how to import Item Types from a CSV file

Overview

Using the Item Type Import feature is a fast an easy way to create new Item Types in bulk rather than manually adding them one at at time. This article explains how to create the import file correctly so there are no errors during the import.

Topics in this article include:

Creating Item Type Import Files
Anatomy of an Item Type Import File
Updating Existing Item Types in Bulk
Creating the .CSV File
Importing the File
Excel Template
Training Video

Creating Item Type Import Files

The Item Type import file must be in the comma separated value (CSV) format. This format separates each value with a comma. The easiest way to make this file is to use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel. Just put each value in a different cell. When it is time to save the file, use Save As, and select the CSV (comma delimited) file format.

Anatomy of an Item Type Import File

The import file defines the Item Types that are part of the Job. This includes the basic Item Type information (i.e., Item Type Number, Name, Quantity) as well as any Custom Properties you want to import (i.e., Design Length, Design Width, etc.).

With the exception of the "Quantity" column, the columns required to import Generic Item Types (in the Settings --> Item Types screen) and Custom Item Types (in the Jobs screen) are identical.

Above is an example of the columns included in a Custom Item Type import file. Because Generic Item Types have no predefined quantity to be produced the way Custom Item Types do, the import file will look exactly the same, minus the Quantity column. Below is an overview of each column.

Column	Header	Required	Description
Column 1 (A)	Number	Always	The Item Type Number
Column 2 (B)	Name	Always	The Item Type Name
Column 3 (C)	Quantity	Required for Custom Item Types. Omit this column for Generic Item Types	The Quantity of the Custom Item Type required for the Job
Column 4 (D)	Process	Always (NOTE: If an Item Type does not need a Default Process this column can be left blank, but the column must exist, and must have a header)	The Default Process for the Item Type
Column 5 (E)	Product Segment	Required	Valid Values: precast - precast item types representing precast products or cast cylinders prestressed - prestressed item types representing prestressed products or cast cylinders neither - item types representing equipment, molds & forms, raw materials, etc. These items are neither precast nor prestressed
Column 6 and above (F and above)	Custom Property Name	Optional	Custom Property values you want to import with each Item Type
Valid Data Type formats:
Property Type	Data Type	Description
Date	dateTime	This data type is used for values that contain both date and time parts. The supported range is '1000-01-01 00:00:00' to '9999-12-31 23:59:59'. NOTE: Dates must be entered in UTC time. The system will convert the entered datetime into the appropriate time zone when displayed to the user via the Management Portal or Mobile application. UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time, a standard used to set all time zones around the world. Each time zone is "offset" from UTC time, either forward or backward. Eastern Standard Time, for example, is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. UTC offset for EST is therefore minus 5 (-5). Eastern Daylight Time is 4 hours behind UTC, so offset is -4. When entering datetime values, be sure to use the UTC equivalent of your local time. Examples: I want to import a Pour Date & Time I am located in Eastern Time Zone, not during daylight savings (EST) Local Pour Date & Time = 12/15/23 2:45PM EST Import sheet DateTime value = 12/15/23 09:45:00 (Local time minus 5 hours) I am located in Pacific Time Zone, during daylight savings (PDT) Local Pour Date & Time = 11/21/23 5:25AM PDT Import sheet DateTime value = 11/20/23 10:25:00 (Local time minus 7 hours - note the date also changed!) You can easily find your UTC offset using Google. Google search "EST UTC Offset" will return -5. Google search "PDT UTC Offset" will return -7. Supported formats: Date Only: When no date is provided, the system will assume 12:00am (midnight). MM/dd/yyyy MM/d/yyyy M/d/yyyy yyyy-MM-dd yyyy-MM-d yyyy-M-d Date & Time: yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss
Numeric	float	A number that is not an integer, because it includes a fraction represented in decimal format Decimals are not required, but accepted Supported formats: Any whole number, positive or negative, with or without decimal precision 1 -1 1.5 -1.5
Text	nvarchar	Unicode character data, up to 32767 characters NOTE: The longer your text, the more the system will need to wrap the text to fit the space available for display. Please consider the length of your text when setting text values.

The first row of the file should include the headers shown for defining the Items. The second row should include the information to go along with each header item. Each corresponding value should be directly under it's header.

When using Custom Properties, make sure you spell the Property name exactly the same as it is in the Custom Property definition under Setup in your Idencia system. Including a Custom Property that has not been defined in Idencia will cause an import error.

Below is an example of a Custom Item Type import spreadsheet.

ItemTypeImportSheetExample

The headers for the Custom Property columns (columns F-J) must be spelled exactly the same as the Custom Property name in Idencia, including every space, dash, period, and punctuation mark. When creating columns for custom properties, it is usually best to copy and past the custom property name into the spreadsheet to make sure they match exactly.

Note that the second Item Type (18.E) has two blank columns. This Item Type will be imported with no default process and no Length.

Additional information to note:

Custom Property columns can be in any order
You do not need to include a column for every Custom Property, only the ones you wish to import or update.
Including a Custom Property column that is not valid will cause an import error.

Updating Existing Item Types in Bulk

Though it is most common to create a spreadsheet of new item types that need to be added, you can also create a spreadsheet of item types that need to be updated. When your .csv file is imported, the application will look at each row in the spreadsheet and attempt to find an existing item type with a matching Item Type Number. If one is found, that item type's custom properties will be updated. If no matching item is found, a new item type will be created. You may include both new item types and existing item types in the same spreadsheet. New item types will be created. Existing item types will be updated.

When updating an existing item type, any columns left blank in your spreadsheet will be skipped.

Creating the .CSV File

Once you have the data correctly entered into your spreadsheet, you'll need to save the Excel file in .CSV (Comma Separated Value) format. Click on the File menu in Excel, then choose Save As. In the File Type drop down list, choose the CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv) option.

CSV Format 2-1

Importing the File

To import a file of Generic Item Types:

Go to Settings --> Item Types
In the upper right-hand corner of the screen, click Import
Browse to the file and click Open.
Click Next. The file will be scanned for errors.
Click Import.

To import a file of Custom Item Types into a Job:

Go to Jobs
Select a job from the list
Below the Job details, to the right of the Custom Item Types header, click Import
Browse to the file and click Open.
Click Next. The file will be scanned for errors.
Click Import.

Excel Template

Below is a link to an Excel template with instructions. Click the link to download the template file.

Item Type Import Sheet with Instructions

Training Video

Here is a short training video: