--- title: How the import tool works description: The import tool makes it possible to effectively create or update different parts in a batch. There are several complete import templates to start from if you want a base to start with. In this articl --- [Skip to content](https://support.geins.io/how-the-import-tool-works#main-content) [![Geins-Black (1)](https://support.geins.io/hubfs/Geins-Black%20(1).svg)](https://support.geins.io/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Geins Knowledge base](https://support.geins.io/?hsLang=en) 2. [Import tool](https://support.geins.io/import-tool?hsLang=en) 3. [Work with imports](https://support.geins.io/import-tool?hsLang=en#work-with-imports) # How the import tool works The import tool makes it possible to effectively create or update different parts in a batch. There are several complete import templates to start from if you want a base to start with. In this article we go through how the import tool generally works.      Click on **Import tool **in the menu, then click on**New **to create a new import. If you first want to take an import template to work on, then you do it in the next step.    ![import_ny](https://support.geins.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/import_ny.jpg?width=665&height=335&name=import_ny.jpg)   In the next step you upload the file you want to import. Here you will also find the different available import templates. #### ![import_steps](https://support.geins.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/import_steps.jpg?width=665&height=413&name=import_steps.jpg) #### Download an import template  To download an import template, you first need to choose the type of import you want to make. To do this choose it in the Template type drop down. Read separate articles for a thorough description of the different import templates. The import templates that are available are:    | Category | Category import. Create new categories or update existing categories. | | --- | --- | | Customer / member (Beta) | Customer import. Update data on existing customers in the system. Placing in a customer in customer group for example. Can also be used to create new customers. | | Google Product Taxonomy | Map existing categories against the google taxonomy categories that exist.  | | Price list | Price list. Read in a price list with product prices for specific customer groups. Makes it possible to work with quantity discount prices. Requires that customer groups are in the system. | | Product | Product import. Create or update existing products.  | | Product Images | Product images. Import template for importing product pictures to existing products. Requires that the pictures that are going to be imported are uploaded somewhere and are available via a URL.  | | Product parameters | Product parameters. Enrich existing products with parameter values and attribute from existing parameter groups.  | | Purchase | Purchase template. Create purchase orders via the import tool with this template.  | | URL history | Management of reassignment of old URL:er. Used primarily with change from another platform to Carismar.  |   When you have chosen in the template type drop down, click on **Download file template.** ![import_upload](https://support.geins.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/import_upload.jpg?width=665&height=280&name=import_upload.jpg) The file is downloaded and can be completed for import. It also works to work on a file that isn’t based on any of the existing import templates. Then you map your columns to the right ones.*Mapping of columns come in the next step*. #### **Uploading the file ** When you have your file ready, click on**select file**and choose the file you want to import. Set the type of file that gets uploaded by choosing filetype in the drop-down*File Extension, *also choose what type of import to make in the template type drop down, click on next   | ExcelPlus | Files of filetype .xlsx | | --- | --- | | Excel | Files of filetype .xls | | Csv | Files of filetype .csv | #### **Mapping field ** In the next step you map the field in your file against the system. Fields with padlocks (require match) the icon is mandatory and needs to be matched for the import to work.   If you use one of the import templates, then all fields will be matched automatically. Below is an example shown of a category import with the import template where all fields have been matched.    ![impot_kat_match](https://support.geins.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/impot_kat_match.jpg?width=665&height=403&name=impot_kat_match.jpg)   If you want some fields not to be included in the import you, will need to remove them. The picture below shows an import with the import template where the option to not include fields for metaTitle, MetaDescription and MetaKeywords has been chosen.  ![import_kategori_remove](https://support.geins.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/import_kategori_remove.jpg?width=665&height=403&name=import_kategori_remove.jpg) To take away fields you use drag&drop to drag the field that lies under your file and drop it in the box that’s under*Not matched from your file* If you work with a file that isn’t based on existing import template, then the columns can be differently named and then you need match them yourself (see example picture below). ![import_example](https://support.geins.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/import_example.gif?width=688&height=590&name=import_example.gif) This is done through using drag&drop and dragging the different names that are in*Not matched from your file *to the place beside the field that you want to match with.    After you have matched the fields you want in the import (All required fields must be matched) then you can click on**Start Import**to start importing. ![impot_kat_no_template_matched](https://support.geins.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/impot_kat_no_template_matched.jpg?width=665&height=403&name=impot_kat_no_template_matched.jpg) The import is complete when it says 100%. 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