Prepare and Validate an Import Workbook

Choose supported sheets, identifiers, and clean source data before CapitalOS writes organization records.

Before you begin

Create a backup of the source workbook and select a small representative file for the first run. Confirm the target organization and module: Research, SKU registry, Quotation, Testing, or Returns. Review the required identity fields, especially SKU, order, ticket, or variation identifiers used by the target.

How it works

Imports analyzes a supported workbook before writing data. The hub identifies sheets, target modules, headers, readiness issues, mappings, preview rows, duplicates, and matching problems. Validation separates structural problems from row-level issues so users can correct the source or preview deliberately.

Step-by-step

Open Imports in the organization that should own the data.
Choose the intended target module before selecting the workbook.
Select the supported workbook and allow analysis to complete.
Review detected sheets and choose only those relevant to the target.
Read every readiness issue for headers, required fields, duplicates, and unsupported values.
Confirm SKU and variation conventions against the organization registry.
Remove decorative rows, merged headers, totals, and unrelated sheets from the source copy when they interfere with detection.
Correct source data or accepted mapping choices rather than ignoring repeated errors.
Reanalyze the workbook and confirm that blocking issues are resolved.
Continue to mapping and preview only when the selected sheets and row counts are understood.

Check your result

The import identifies the correct module and sheets, reports an expected row count, and has no unexplained blocking readiness issues. Required identifiers are present and consistent with the organization’s product or operational records.

Common problems

The wrong sheet is detected: rename or simplify sheets and explicitly select the intended one.

Headers are not recognized: use one clear header row and remove merged or decorative cells.

Many SKUs are missing: confirm the selected SKU column, formatting, aliases, and target organization.

Rows are duplicated: check the workbook source and identity columns before importing either copy.

Permissions and data notes

Import access can write many organization records. Validate a small file first, preserve the original workbook, and never include credentials or unnecessary private data. Readiness means the file can proceed to review; it is not final approval to write every row.