Format Your File for Success
Ensure that your CSV files are formatted for a successful import the first time, every time
In This Article
We want to help you ensure that your CSV files are formatted for a successful import the first time, every time.
While Postsale gives you the ability to import orders in a CSV file from just about any sales channel, custom order source, or from files provided to you from a third party, the CSV file does need to meet a few requirements to import successfully. Let’s look at those requirements together so that we can make sure that they are met.
Before We Begin
This article assumes that you are familiar with working in a spreadsheet application such as Excel or Google Sheets and with saving your spreadsheet as a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file.
It may also be helpful to have a CSV file containing orders that you intend to import into Postsale. While this is not required, it may help by having a hands-on example to work with.
Create Your CSV Import File
Sample CSV Files
To make creating your import file as easy as possible, we have provided sample CSV files that you can use as a template for your own import files. The files contain:
- Column headings matching the corresponding data fields in Postsale. This makes it easy to map the correct fields in your file to the fields in Postsale.
- Sample order and shipment data, showing how your data should be formatted for a successful import.
There are two sample files available. The sample file you should use is determined by how line items associated with your orders are listed in your data.
All Items on the Same Row
Download and use the Postsale Sample CSV File_Single Row.csv file if all items on your orders are listed in the same row as your order data. This file:
- Has columns available for including up to four line items. However, you can add additional columns for as many line items as you need.
- Column headings for line items are named Item1_xxx, Item2_xxx, Item3_xxx, Item4_xxx to differentiate the available fields for each line item.
Items are Listed on Separate Rows
Download and use the Postsale Sample CSV File_Multiple Rows.csv file if each item associated with your orders are listed on separate rows.
- When line items are on multiple rows, each row in the source file must include the Order Source and Order Number in addition to the item information so that Postsale knows to which order the items belong when imported.
CSV File Requirements
Let's look at the requirements that need to be met:
Column Headings
Your file needs to have a column heading for each column in the file. The column headings define the information contained in the column and are used to map your information to the correct fields in Postsale.
The column headings can be anything you wish them to be as long as they clearly identify the information contained in the column.
One advantage of using our sample file (see above) is that the file contains column heading for all of the mappable fields.
Format Specific Content
Some of the information contained in your CSV file must be formatted in a certain way in order for Postsale to successfully import it. If the values are entered incorrectly, Postsale will notify you of which values need to be corrected and you will not be able to import your file until the values are entered correctly.
In this section, we look at what information is format specific and how it must be entered into your CSV file.
Shipping Carrier, Service, and Package Type
All shipping carrier names, shipping services, and package types must be entered all lowercase. The following tables list the available options and how to enter them into your CSV file.
Table: Carrier, Service, Package Type Format
CARRIER |
SERVICE |
PACKAGE TYPE |
|---|---|---|
usps |
usps_ground_advantage |
parcel |
|
usps_priority_mail |
soft_pack |
usps_priority_mail_express |
padded_flat_rate_envelope |
|
usps_first_class_international |
legal_flat_rate_envelope |
|
usps_priority_mail_international |
flat_rate_envelope |
|
usps_priority_mail_express_international |
small_flat_rate_box |
|
|
medium_flat_rate_box |
|
large_flat_rate_box |
CARRIER |
SERVICE |
PACKAGE TYPE |
|---|---|---|
ups |
ups_next_day_air |
parcel |
|
ups_2nd_day_air |
letter |
ups_2nd_day_air_am |
tube |
|
ups_ground |
pak |
|
ups_3_day_select |
express_box |
|
ups_next_day_air_saver |
ups_25kg_box |
|
ups_next_day_air_early |
ups_10kg_box |
|
ups_worldwide_express |
pallet |
|
ups_worldwide_expedited |
small_express_box |
|
ups_standard |
medium_express_box |
|
ups_worldwide_express_plus |
large_express_box |
|
ups_saver |
|
CARRIER |
SERVICE |
PACKAGE TYPE |
|---|---|---|
fedex |
fedex_ground |
parcel |
|
fedex_home_delivery |
fedex_envelope |
fedex_first_overnight |
fedex_box |
|
fedex_priority_overnight |
fedex_small_box |
|
fedex_standard_overnight |
fedex_medium_box |
|
fedex_2day_am |
fedex_large_box |
|
fedex_2day |
fedex_extra_large_box |
|
fedex_express_saver |
fedex_10kg_box |
|
fedex_economy |
fedex_25kb_box |
|
fedex_ground_economy |
fedex_tube |
|
fedex_ground_economy_bound_printed_matter |
fedex_pak |
|
fedex_ground_economy_media_mail |
|
|
fedex_ground_economy_returns | ||
fedex_ground_economy_under1lb | ||
fedex_international_ground | ||
fedex_international_priority_express | ||
fedex_international_first | ||
fedex_international_priority | ||
fedex_international_economy | ||
fedex_international_priority_directdistribution | ||
fedex_international_economy_directdistribution_service | ||
fedex_international_connect_plus |
Here is an example of what your CSV file should look like:

Weights & Dimensions
Enter all weights and dimensions in whole numbers and decimals.
For example:
- 1.5
- .75
- 10

Currency
Enter all currency in whole numbers and decimals.
For example:
- 19.95
- 24.75

Units of Measure
You will specify the unit of measure for your weights and dimensions and specify the type of currency during the mapping process. You will have the option to:
- Select from a list of available values
- Map to a field in your CSV file that defines the units of measure
- Useful when you have items with differing weight (grams, ounces, pounds) or dimensional (inches, centimeters) units of measure.
Save Your File as a CSV
Once you ensure that the data in your file is entered and formatted correctly, save it as a Comma Separated Value/Comma Delimited file with a .CSV extension.
Your spreadsheet application should allow you to select CSV as the file type when saving the changes to your file.
Your CSV file is now ready to import into Postsale!