How do I import 10,000 products into a POS?

Put them in the GetGroceryPOS spreadsheet template (one row per product), make sure your units exist, then import. Large catalogues go faster in parts of about 2,000 rows, which also makes any error easy to find. Moving your catalogue is free; we can do it with you on a call.

What file format do you accept?

An Excel spreadsheet based on our template. Most old POS systems and suppliers can export to Excel or CSV; open the CSV in Excel or Google Sheets and paste the columns into the template.

Can product names be in Chinese, Korean, Arabic or Urdu?

Yes. Names are stored as text in any script. Many stores put both names in one field, such as “辛拉面 Shin ramyeon”, so every cashier can read it.

What does “unit not found” mean?

The spreadsheet uses a unit name (for example “Case 24”) that doesn’t exist yet. Add the unit under Products → Units, then import again.

Why do my expiry dates fail?

Spreadsheets often turn dates into numbers. Format the expiry column as text and type dates in the format the template shows.

Can I export, edit and re-import?

Yes. The product export uses the same template as the import, so you can fix prices in bulk in a spreadsheet and bring them back.

Will importing create my online store?

Yes. Your online store is generated from the catalogue, so imported products, prices and photos appear there automatically.

Can you import from my supplier’s price list?

If the supplier sends a spreadsheet, yes: map their columns to the template. Many distributors of Hispanic, Asian and Middle-Eastern groceries send weekly price files.

Is there a limit on how many products I can have?

No product limit on any plan. Very large single files can be slow to process, which is why we suggest importing in parts.

Import products into your POS from one spreadsheet.

Typing 8,000 products by hand takes weeks. Pasting them into our template takes an afternoon. Names in any language, PLUs, units, case packs, tax, stock and expiry dates come along.

Start free trial We’ll move your catalogue for free

SKUNameUnitCategoryStockSNAP

4011Bananas / PlátanolbProduce0Yes

07501Masa harina 4.4 lbEachGrocery36Yes

88017辛拉面 Shin ramyeonPack / Case 20Noodles240Yes

89356Nước mắm 24 ozEachSauces48Yes

62845خبز عربي Pita 6 ctEachBakery30Yes

20550Chicken thighslbMeat0Yes

0 products

What goes in each column.

The template’s own headings tell you exactly what each column needs. These are the ones grocers ask about.

Column	What to put there	Needed?
Product name	Any language or script. Add the English name too if your staff mix languages.	Required
SKU / PLU	Your item code. For produce use the PLU; for scale items match the scale’s code.	Recommended
Barcode type	The symbology printed on the package (for example UPC or EAN).	Optional
Unit	Each, lb, kg, case. The unit must exist before you import.	Required
Category / sub-category	Produce, Meat, Grocery… Used for reports and SNAP stocking counts.	Recommended
Purchase and selling price	Cost and price per unit. Tax can be included or added.	Required
Tax	The tax rate or group that applies, as set in your business settings.	Optional
Opening stock	What is on the shelf today, per location.	Optional
Expiry date / lot	For dairy, meat and dated goods. Type dates as text in the format shown.	Optional

3Import, step by step

Five steps, no retyping.

1/5

Download the template

In Products → Import products, download the template. Keep its heading row exactly as it is.

2/5

Create your units first

Add Each, lb, kg and any case units before importing, or the import stops with a unit-not-found error.

3/5

Paste and clean your list

Paste your old POS or supplier export into the template. Remove duplicate codes and blank prices.

4/5

Split very large files

If you see unclear errors, split the file into parts of about 2,000 rows and import them one by one.

5/5

Import and spot-check

Import, then search ten random items at the register to check price, unit and tax.

Want us to do it?

Send us your old POS export. We clean and import it on a call, free on every plan.

How switching works

Clean the list before you import.

Ten minutes here saves a Saturday of wrong prices.

Every item has one code; no two rows share a SKU
Weighed items use lb or kg, counted items use Each
Case packs say how many units are in the case
Prices have no currency symbols or commas
Dates are typed as text, not spreadsheet dates
Categories are spelled the same way every time
SNAP column marks hot food, non-food and your state’s restricted items as No

Import questions, sorted.

9 questions on the shelf

How do I import 10,000 products into a POS?
Put them in the GetGroceryPOS spreadsheet template (one row per product), make sure your units exist, then import. Large catalogues go faster in parts of about 2,000 rows, which also makes any error easy to find. Moving your catalogue is free; we can do it with you on a call.
What file format do you accept?
An Excel spreadsheet based on our template. Most old POS systems and suppliers can export to Excel or CSV; open the CSV in Excel or Google Sheets and paste the columns into the template.
Can product names be in Chinese, Korean, Arabic or Urdu?
Yes. Names are stored as text in any script. Many stores put both names in one field, such as “辛拉面 Shin ramyeon”, so every cashier can read it.
What does “unit not found” mean?
The spreadsheet uses a unit name (for example “Case 24”) that doesn’t exist yet. Add the unit under Products → Units, then import again.
Why do my expiry dates fail?
Spreadsheets often turn dates into numbers. Format the expiry column as text and type dates in the format the template shows.
Can I export, edit and re-import?
Yes. The product export uses the same template as the import, so you can fix prices in bulk in a spreadsheet and bring them back.
Will importing create my online store?
Yes. Your online store is generated from the catalogue, so imported products, prices and photos appear there automatically.
Can you import from my supplier’s price list?
If the supplier sends a spreadsheet, yes: map their columns to the template. Many distributors of Hispanic, Asian and Middle-Eastern groceries send weekly price files.
Is there a limit on how many products I can have?
No product limit on any plan. Very large single files can be slow to process, which is why we suggest importing in parts.

Bring the whole store in one afternoon.

Start the trial and import your first file today, or send us your export and we do it with you.

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Import products into your POS from one spreadsheet.

What goes in each column.