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Importing and exporting data

Bring in spreadsheets, match columns, review problems, and export selected records or a complete view.

Updated September 28, 20264 min read

The import wizard lets you inspect and map a spreadsheet before it changes your records. You can create new records, update matching records, or do both where the object supports it.

Prepare your spreadsheet

Use one row per record and a header for each column. Give matching records a stable identifier, such as a SKU, rather than relying on similar names. Keep dates and numbers consistent so you can recognize incorrect conversions in the preview. The wizard can download a sample CSV for the selected object to help you get started.

Open Import from the list that should receive the records. Importing into Items creates or updates catalog entries; importing into Inventory adds stock to a location. Make this choice before matching columns.

An import can contain up to 10,000 data rows. Split larger files into smaller imports. Your workspace record, object, and storage limits still apply. You also need permission to import and to create or edit the affected records.

Upload or paste your data

  1. Choose Upload File and select a .csv, .xlsx, or .xls file. You can also drag a file into the upload area.
  2. Alternatively, use Paste from spreadsheet for cells copied from Excel, Google Sheets, or a CSV file.
  3. If the workbook has several sheets, select the sheet you want to import. Choose the correct header row.
  4. Check the preview, then continue to Match Fields.

Match columns to fields

For each spreadsheet column, choose the destination field in Matte. A column can map to an existing field, map to a supported part of a structured field, create a new field when permitted, or be set to Do not import.

Structured fields can have several parts. For example, first and last names can map to the parts of a Full Name field, and address columns can map to the corresponding address parts. Check the field type as well as the name: a date belongs in a Date field, while an identifier with leading zeroes often belongs in Text.

Creating a new field changes the structure of the list for everyone. If you only need to load values, reuse the existing field where possible. Calculated and protected system fields are not ordinary import destinations.

Choose how existing records are handled

Advanced options let empty cells erase existing values, restrict changes to fields that are currently blank, or import good rows while skipping rows with problems. You can also supply a date format and time zone for imported dates. Review these options before importing updates, especially when the spreadsheet contains blanks.

The Inventory import screen currently offers creation only. Choose Import into Inventory folder so each new quantity is posted to that exact location. It is not a general replacement for receiving, transferring, or adjusting existing stock.

  • Add new items. Create a new record for each valid input row. This mode does not use your chosen match field to update an existing record.
  • Update existing items. Only update records that match the chosen field. Use Match records by to select that field.
  • Add and update items. Update matching records and create records for the remaining rows. This is also called an upsert.

Review the results before saving

  1. Continue to Review Data and inspect the counts of ready rows and rows that need a fix.
  2. Search the preview or show only errors to find problematic rows. Remove selected rows from this import if they should not be included.
  3. Correct the source or mappings when necessary, then validate again. Download the error report if you need to work through issues outside Matte.
  4. Confirm the import when the preview is correct. Review the completion counts, download the report, and open the imported records to spot-check the results.

A completed import may include skipped rows if you enabled that behavior. Use the final report to distinguish imported, skipped, and failed rows instead of assuming every uploaded row was saved.

Export records as CSV

Export selection downloads the records you have selected. Export view collects all matching records in the current view, including results beyond the rows currently loaded on screen. Filters and access rules still apply; grouping changes how records are displayed, not which records belong in the export.

View exports are limited to 50,000 rows. Narrow the view if more records match. Matte waits for the complete export result before downloading the CSV, so a failed page should not leave you with an apparently complete partial file.

Some structured fields expand into several CSV columns. Rich text is exported as plain text, relation fields use available display labels, and restricted field values are not revealed by export. CSV exports capture record data; they do not reproduce every visual layout or replace a complete workspace backup.

Related guides

Objects and fieldsViews, filters, and searchWorkspace and teamAccount and workspace security
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Getting startedStart here · Set up a workspace, choose your apps, add data, and find your way around Matte.What you can do in MatteStart here · Find the shared workspace tools and the app guides that explain them.Apps and your workspaceStart here · Understand what apps add and how they fit into a shared workspace.Objects and fieldsData & views · Create lists, choose field types, connect records, and control who can see sensitive values.Records and detail pagesData & views · Create and edit records, organize their detail panels, work in bulk, and recover deleted data.Views, filters, and searchData & views · Turn the same records into useful tables, boards, calendars, and tiles, then find what you need.Importing and exporting dataData & views · Bring in spreadsheets, match columns, review problems, and export selected records or a complete view.Team chatCollaboration · Keep conversations, files, decisions, and follow-ups together in channels and direct messages.Channel settings and permissionsCollaboration · Choose who joins a channel, what members can do, and how long chat history is kept.CalendarCollaboration · See events, time off, agent work, counts, deliveries, and shipments in one place.Notifications and activityCollaboration · Find work that needs attention, follow mentions, and review what happened to a record or conversation.Talk to agentsAgents · Ask questions, give agents work, review proposed changes, and keep the results with your conversation.Agents and scheduled tasksAgents · Set up agent profiles, permissions, memory, spending, and recurring work.Workspace and teamWorkspace · Invite people, organize departments, manage roles, and configure your shared workspace.Account and workspace securityWorkspace · Manage passwords, passkeys, two-factor authentication, sessions, and account access.Plans, billing, and AI creditsWorkspace · Understand workspace capacity, seats, trials, shared AI credits, and agent spending limits.Preferences and keyboard shortcutsWorkspace · Adjust your profile, appearance, accessibility, date preferences, and keyboard controls.API, CLI, and MCPDevelopers · Connect authorized developer tools to Matte’s action API and discover their available capabilities.How inventory worksInventory Tracking · Understand items, stock, locations, units, and the daily inventory workflow.Items and units of measurementInventory Tracking · Build a clear item catalog and count or order in the units your team uses.Stock, locations, and transfersInventory Tracking · Add, correct, remove, and move physical stock with a useful history.Expiration dates and lotsInventory Tracking · Track batches, spot expiring stock, and record waste without losing the rest of an item's inventory.Barcode scanning and labelsInventory Tracking · Find an item with your camera or a typed code, adjust stock where allowed, and print unit labels.Inventory countsInventory Tracking · Assign, complete, review, and repeat counts without treating blank rows as zero.Purchase orders and receivingInventory Tracking · Create supplier orders, track expected deliveries, and receive accepted stock into the right location.Suppliers and replenishmentInventory Tracking · Turn low-stock needs into supplier orders, reviewed emails, and repeatable ordering routines.Quotes, sales orders, and shippingInventory Tracking · Track customer commitments, partial shipments, payments, and printable sales documents.Inventory dashboards and reportsInventory Tracking · Build your Inventory Overview dashboard and explore stock value, usage, count accuracy, and forecasts.Demand forecastingInventory Tracking · Read predicted consumption, confidence, and forecast accuracy without confusing estimates with orders.TroubleshootingHelp · Work through common questions about access, data, conversations, and app workflows.
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