CSV Imports and Exports

From Fishbowl Inventory

Fishbowl can import and export information through Comma Separated Values (CSV) files. CSV files can be viewed and edited in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, or in any text editor.

• Imports provide a convenient way to bring external data into Fishbowl (update a vendor part list, import an order from an online shopping cart, etc.)
• Exports allow Fishbowl data to be used externally (update a website with product prices, export a list of customers, etc.)

The Schedule Module allows imports or exports to run automatically.

Contents 1 Using CSV imports and exports 2 CSV import tips 3 List of imports and exports 4 Suggested order of CSV imports

Using CSV imports and exports

The list of imports and exports, along with the corresponding documetation, can be found in the Fishbowl Client. The following steps outline the basic use of imports/exports:

1. Click the File Menu at the top-left of the Fishbowl Client and choose Import or Export.
   
2. Select an import/export from the list. A brief description of the selected import is given in the lower pane.
   
3. Click Next to read the instructions for an import/export.
   
4. Click Next to choose the file to be imported/exported.
   
5. Click Finish to complete the import/export.

CSV import tips

• Most CSV imports have a corresponding export. It is often easiest to first export a CSV and then use that file as a template for the import.
• Data in a CSV import must be formatted exactly as the import instructions specify.
• Many imports require column names in the first row and some columns are case sensitive.
• The maximum number of items that can be imported at once depends largely on the computer hardware. Large imports may take several minutes.
• If the client logs out before the import finishes, try extending the client inactivity time. If Fishbowl continues to become unresponsive, it may be necessary to separate the import into smaller sections and import each section individually.

List of imports and exports

Name	Description
Add Inventory	Import to Add Inventory. The quantity in the import will increase (not adjust) existing inventory.
Associated Pricing	Import/Export a list of Associated Pricing.
Associated Pricing Type	Import/Export a list of Associated Pricing Types.
Bill of Materials	Import/Export a list of Bills of Materials.
Carriers	Import/Export a list of Carriers.
Custom Field Lists	Import/Export a list of Custom Fields Lists.
Custom Fields	Import/Export a list of Custom Fields.
Customer Group Relations	Import/Export a list of Customer Group Relations.
Customers	Import/Export a list of Customers.
Cycle Count Data	Import/Export to perform a Cycle Count.
Default Locations	Import/Export a list of Part Default Locations.
Discounts	Import/Export a list of Discounts.
Doba Inventory	Export Doba inventory information.
Doba Order Tracking	Export Doba order tracking information.
Doba Orders	Import order information from Doba.
Doba Products	Export Doba product information.
EDI Shipping	Export an EDI Shipping 856SOPI file.
Generic Shopping Cart	Import information from a generic shopping cart.
Inventory Move	Import to perform an Inventory Move.
Inventory Quantities	Export current inventory quantities.
Kit Items	Import/Export a list of Kit Items.
Locations	Import/Export a list of Locations and Location Groups.
MIVA Shopping Cart	Import information from a MIVA shopping cart.
OS Commerce Shopping Cart	Import information from an OS Commerce shopping cart.
Packing Data	Import a list of orders that have been Packed.
Part	Import/Export a list of Parts.
Part Cost	Import/Export a list of part Average Costs.
Part Standard Cost	Import/Export a list of part Standard Costs.
Part, Product, and Vendor Pricing	Import/Export a list of part, product and vendor pricing.
Parts Units of Measure	Import/Export a list of part Units of Measure.
Payment Data	Import/Export a list of Payments.
Payment Terms	Import/Export a list of Payment Terms.
Picking Data	Import a list of orders that have been Picked.
Pipeline Accounts	Export customers that can be imported into Fishbowl Pipeline.
Pricing Rules	Import/Export a list of Pricing Rules.
Product	Import/Export a list of Products.
Product Pricing	Export a list of prices for current Products.
Product Tree	Import/Export a list of products and the corresponding Product Tree Categories.
Product Tree Categories	Import/Export a list of Product Tree Categories.
Purchase Order	Import/Export a list of Purchase Orders.
Purchase Order as a Sales Order	Export a Purchase Order that can be imported as a Sales Order.
Purchase Order Line Items	Export a list of Purchase Order Line Items.
Receiving Data	Import/Export a list of orders that have been, or are ready to be received.
Reorder Levels	Import/Export a list of Reorder Levels.
Sales Order	Import/Export a list of Sales Orders.
Shipping Data	Import a list of orders that have been Shipped. A shipped order cannot be voided.
Tag Information	Export a list of inventory tags. A tag is an internal number used to group similar items together.
Tax Rates	Import/Export a list of Tax Rates.
Unit of Measure Conversions	Import/Export a list of Unit of Measure Conversions.
Units of Measure	Import/Export a list of Units of Measure.
Users	Import/Export a list of Users.
Vendor Cost Rules	Import/Export a list of Vendor Cost Rules.
Vendor Pricing	Import a list of part Vendor Last Costs.
Vendors	Import/Export a list of Vendors.
Yahoo Shopping Cart	Import information from a Yahoo Shopping Cart.

Suggested order of CSV imports

Below is the suggested order of importing (or manually entering) data into Fishbowl when creating a new database:

1. UOM
2. UOM Conversion
3. Location Groups/Locations
4. User/User Rights
5. Payment Terms
6. Vendors*
7. Tax Rates
8. Customers*
9. Customer Group Relations
10. Custom Fields
11. Part, Product, and Vendor Pricing*
12. Kit Items
13. Default Locations
14. Inventory Quantity *
15. Bill of Materials*
16. Product Tree Categories
17. Product Tree
18. Pricing Rules
19. Carriers
20. Sales Orders
21. Purchase Orders

* These items may be imported from QuickBooks via the Accounting Configuration Wizard.