How To: Import Item Updates
Admin/End user · Yellow Dog Inventory 2026
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Importing lets you update existing items in Yellow Dog Inventory in bulk rather than editing them one at a time — for example, applying new vendor prices across hundreds of SKUs at once. Use this feature with extreme caution: if mistakes are made during the import and development is required to correct them, a labor charge applies to clean them up.
PREREQUISITES
Confirm the following before you import:
• Permission to see Import Data. This is typically granted only to admin-permission users. If you do not have it, contact your onsite admin for additional permissions.
• Unique Identifier. When updating existing items, you can use the Yellow Dog SKU or the UPC (if the item has one assigned) as the unique identifier. A member of the Yellow Dog team must update the unique identifier column in your database before you import.
Caution: Importing before Yellow Dog has made the necessary changes to your database — including setting your unique identifier — could result in a development-assisted cleanup. |
• Required columns only. Because you are updating existing items, the only required columns are the unique identifier and the field(s) you want to update. For example, to import updated vendor prices, the only required columns are the unique identifier and default vendor price.
• Matching Level, Vendor, and Dimension values. If you are updating Level, Vendor, or Dimension fields, confirm those values already exist in the system before importing, and that the spelling and capitalization in your import sheet match what is in Yellow Dog verbatim.
• Reviewed data. Take time to review the data you intend to import and address anything that looks incorrect before you import.
STEP BY STEP
Map your columns (Code vs. Description)
When mapping the Vendor/Manufacturer and Level fields, you can use either the name/description or the assigned code. When mapping these fields, make sure you select the matching option — either Description (Identifier) or Code (Identifier) — so the values resolve correctly.
Import the file
1. Go to System Setup and select Import Data.
2. Select the three dots to the right of Import File and browse to the file on your computer.
Note: The file will not populate if it is open on your computer while you are trying to import it. |
3. Confirm the store(s) the updates will be imported for under Import to Stores.
4. The data in your file will now populate on screen.
5. Right-click in a column header to map that column to the corresponding field in Yellow Dog. Refer to the attached import field key for a full list of the fields that can be imported.
6. Map every column that you want to import.
7. Select Import.
8. When prompted Have you checked everything?, confirm that you have checked all of your column mapping, then select Yes / Import.
9. Wait for your items to import.
Note: The larger the file and the more fields you are importing, the longer it will take to process the data. |
10. Confirm your items appear with the updated fields. You may need to select Refresh Data to see the SKUs populate.
BEST PRACTICES
• Review and clean your data before importing — correcting errors beforehand avoids a chargeable cleanup afterward.
• Include only the unique identifier and the specific fields you intend to change; extra columns increase the chance of an unintended overwrite.
• Double-check spelling and capitalization for Level, Vendor, and Dimension values against the system before importing.
• Close the import file on your computer before browsing to it, or it will not populate.
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Last reviewed: June 2026 · Applies to: Yellow Dog Inventory 2026
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