Importing Suppliers via CSV Files

When businesses are moving to Hike POS, rather than having to manually create all their data – products, customers & suppliers – it may be preferable to have all information stored onto a spreadsheet, that can then be imported into Hike.

This requires a CSV file, a common spreadsheet or database, and is a popular option for many businesses – existing and new – to utilize when establishing their product base in Hike, especially when it contains many items.

When performing a CSV import into Hike, there are two options retailers can choose from:

1. Download Hike’s file template and insert your existing data into the template’s fields.
2. Import your own CSV file and map the relevant fields during the activation process.

On this page we’ll run you through the steps needed to import your Suppliers list – using either option - as well as troubleshoot any errors that may arise during the process.

Note: Hike recommends you download our template instead of importing your own file as there may be formatting issues or errors on things like column headings.

• How Does It Work?
• Option 1: Download & Use Hike’s Suppliers CSV Template
• Option 2: Using Your Own Supplies CSV File
• Guide to CSV Spreadsheet Suppliers Column Headings

How Does It Work?

Simply put, when you import a CSV file into Hike, the system will automatically look for some of the most common import errors in your CSV file before importing the entire contents of the spreadsheet into your store.

These errors can often be seen in column headings and/or mandatory fields that have been left blank, and if present, Hike will inform you of the exact problem, and you’ll be able to fix the problem on the screen itself.

Find out more about troubleshooting any CSV import errors here

Option 1: Download & Use Hike’s Suppliers CSV Template

To begin, select Inventory from the Hike menu, and navigate to the Suppliers screen.

On the Suppliers screen, click on the IMPORT button.

Click on Download our Import File Template Here. This will commence the download of Suppliers.csv file.

Once the download has been completed, open the file.

The spreadsheet will appear as blank, except for the column headings that you will need to populate to successfully import your data across.

Note: If you have already added suppliers onto Hike itself, those suppliers will also appear on your downloaded Suppliers template. Do check however, that all your suppliers have been added and create entries for those that are not on the CSV file.

From here, you will be able to fill in the columns with your suppliers list. You can add, delete any column headings as per your store’s requirement. For a full list of the column headings, check out our guide.

Once you have completed filling in your Suppliers, save the file and upload it into the Import screen in Hike.

A new window will then slide out with two columns:

• On the left is the column headers in your file (Data Field in your File)
• On the right are the column headers that Hike uses. (Corresponding Data Field in Hike)

As you have downloaded the template directly from Hike, the fields should automatically map with their corresponding value, but it’s always good to double-check and edit any that are incorrect by using the drop-down box.

Once you have finished, select Continue.

You will then be prompted to save the Template of the mapping you have created for future use. This is useful in instances where your template CSV has different field names from those that are used in Hike. Next time, you import a CSV file, Hike will automatically map the CSV headers to Hike’s without you having to manually change each one.

Click YES if you want it saved.

You can then enter in a new template name, which you’ll be able to select next time you import a CSV file. Click OK once done.

When done, a Record Log will appear of the suppliers that have been imported. If there are fields that have been incorrectly mapped, select Edit Column Mapping and you will be taken back to the mapping screen.

But if everything lines up, click on Connected & Validate to commence the upload.

Hike will then check your file, import successful entries and make a list of any unsuccessful entries. You will be taken back to the Import/Export screen, and under the Import Log you will find the status of your Suppliers CSV sync.

If the import has been successful it will be shown as Processed.

If the import has not been successful however, the status will ask you to View and Fix errors, which you will need to select to troubleshoot.

Find out how to troubleshoot CSV files here

Option 2: Using Your Own CSV File

If you don’t want to use Hike’s template, as you already have your own CSV file, then importing that into Hike POS is just as easy.

Just like you would with a downloaded Hike CSV template, use the Import function to upload your own suppliers CSV file.

Once you have uploaded your CSV file, you will be asked to map the column headings to the corresponding data fields in Hike.

Your column headings on your CSV file may look different to those suggested in Hike, however referring to Hike’s column headers and linking how your own headers fit with Hike’s can make the mapping process so much easier

Note: Only the data fields that have appeared in your CSV will be listed.

Use the drop-down box to match each data field on your CSV file to Hike.

Once you have mapped all the fields, select Continue.

You will be asked to give your mapping a Template name. Next time you import a CSV file, you can use this saved template and Hike will automatically fill in the fields for you.

When done, a Record Log will appear of some of the items that have been imported. If there are fields that have been incorrectly mapped, select Edit Column Mapping and you will be taken back to the mapping screen.

But if everything lines up, click on Connected & Validate to commence the upload.

Note: Your Record Log will appear in the style of Hike’s template. Any blank columns may be worth considering adding into your Suppliers manually, if such details are available.

You will then be taken back to the Import/Export Screen, and under the Import Log you will find the status of your import.

If the import has been successful it will be shown as Processed.

Note: If you have large number of suppliers to import, the syncing process may take some time. Keep clicking on the Refresh button to see if your CSV has successfully imported.

If you want to manually add details to your suppliers, you can do so from the Suppliers screen

If your status appears as showing errors, you will need to troubleshoot the problem.

Your Suppliers can now be viewed on your Suppliers screen from the Hike menu.

Guide to CSV Spreadsheet Suppliers Column Headings

This guide describes what each of the column headers on Hike’s default template means. There is only one mandatory field – Company Name

Company Name	This is the name of your Supplier, and is the only mandatory field.
Supplier Code	If your supplier has a specific code that you use to identify it by, this is where you would add it on your CSV file.
First Name	If your Supplier has a contact person you would enter their first name here.
Last Name	Enter the Last Name of your Supplier contact person.
Email	The email address of your supplier or contact person can be entered here.
Phone	The phone number of the supplier/contact person.
Mobile	The mobile number of the supplier/contact person
Website	The URL of the supplier’s website.
Default Tax	The default tax rate that you use with your supplier.
Mailing Address	The following fields are related to the Mailing Address of the Supplier. Necessary if you need to return faulty stock, damaged items etc. Could also be a warehouse location.
Mailing City	Mailing City of Supplier.
Mailing State/Region	Mailing State/Region of Supplier.
Mailing Country	Mailing Country of Supplier.
Mailing Post/Zip Code	Mailing Postcode/Zip Code of Supplier.
Physical Address	The following fields are related to the Physical Address of the Supplier.
Physical City	Physical City of Supplier.
Physical State/Region	Physical State/Region of Supplier.
Physical Country	Physical Country of Supplier.
Physical Post/Zip Code	Physical Post Code/Zip Code of Supplier
Notes	Here you can enter any related notes such as a description of the items being purchased by the supplier. This will be seen under Description in your Suppliers section in Hike POS.