Uploading Inventory¶
This guide walks you through uploading your inventory data using an Excel or CSV file.
Before You Start¶
Gather your inventory information:
- Product/vehicle names and descriptions
- Prices
- Categories or types
- Any other relevant details
- Image URLs (optional)
Step 1: Download the Template¶
- Go to Inventory in the left menu
- Click Download Template
- Open the template file in Excel or Google Sheets
The template shows you the expected format and includes example data.
Step 2: Fill In Your Data¶
Open the template and replace the example data with your own.
Required Fields¶
Depending on your business type, certain fields may be required:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name/Title | Product or vehicle name |
| Price | Current selling price |
| Category | Type or category |
Optional Fields¶
Add any additional information that helps answer customer questions:
- Description
- Features
- Availability/Stock
- SKU or Stock Number
- Image URLs
- Specifications
Example: Vehicle Inventory¶
| Year | Make | Model | Price | Mileage | Color | Body Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Honda | Accord | 32,500 | 0 | White | Sedan |
| 2023 | Toyota | RAV4 | 29,800 | 15,000 | Blue | SUV |
| 2022 | Ford | F-150 | 45,000 | 22,000 | Black | Truck |
Example: Product Inventory¶
| Name | Category | Price | Description | In Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widget Pro | Widgets | 49.99 | Professional grade widget | Yes |
| Widget Basic | Widgets | 19.99 | Entry-level widget | Yes |
| Super Gadget | Gadgets | 149.99 | Premium gadget with extras | No |
Step 3: Save Your File¶
Save the file in one of these formats:
- Excel (.xlsx) - Recommended
- CSV (.csv) - Also supported
Tip
Keep a backup copy of your file before uploading.
Step 4: Upload the File¶
- Go to Inventory in the left menu
- Click the upload area or drag and drop your file
- Wait for the upload to complete
- System will process your data

Step 5: Verify the Upload¶
After processing:
- The system shows a success message
- Your inventory is now searchable
- Test by asking your chatbot about an item
Testing Your Inventory¶
Open the chat widget and try questions like:
- "Do you have any [product type]?"
- "Show me [category] under $[price]"
- "What's the price of the [specific item]?"
- "Tell me about [item name]"
Updating Inventory¶
To update your inventory:
- Prepare a new file with current data
- Upload the new file
- The new file replaces the previous inventory
Warning
Uploading a new file replaces all existing inventory data. Make sure your new file is complete.
Formatting Tips¶
Prices¶
- Use numbers without currency symbols
- Use decimal points:
29999.99or29999 - Keep formatting consistent
Dates¶
- Use standard format: YYYY-MM-DD
- Example:
2024-03-15
Text¶
- Keep descriptions concise
- Use consistent capitalization
- Avoid special characters
Images¶
- Use full URLs starting with
https:// - Ensure images are publicly accessible
- Use one URL per cell
Troubleshooting¶
"File format not supported"¶
- Use .xlsx or .csv format
- Don't use .xls (old Excel format)
- Avoid password-protected files
"Data validation error"¶
- Check for empty required fields
- Verify price format (numbers only)
- Look for special characters causing issues
Upload seems stuck¶
- Large files take longer to process
- Wait a few minutes before retrying
- Check your internet connection
Data not appearing correctly¶
- Verify column headers match the template
- Check for merged cells (unmerge them)
- Ensure data is in the first sheet
Best Practices¶
- Update regularly - Keep inventory current
- Use the template - Ensures correct format
- Include details - More data = better answers
- Test after upload - Verify chatbot can find items
- Keep backups - Save copies of your files
Next Steps¶
- API Integration - For automated updates
- Overview - Back to inventory basics