---
title: "Item and BOM Import Action"
description: "Update (or import) an item list from an Excel spreadsheet. Warning: Changes made with this update and import action may not be un-done! Start small... test with 1 or 2 rows. Export an Excel spreadshe…"
url: "https://support.wheelhousemfg.com/article/6o76m6p7fx-item-and-bom-import-action"
category: "Items and Configurators"
updated_at: "2024-07-22T20:00:03Z"
---

# Item and BOM Import Action

#### **Update (or import) an item list from an Excel spreadsheet**

Warning: Changes made with this update and import action may not be un-done! Start small... test with 1 or 2 rows.

1. Export an Excel spreadsheet from the item list in Wheelhouse or create an Excel spreadsheet with columns for part number and any of the optional columns listed below:  
   Part Number *(required)*  
   *Optional Columns:*  
   Name  
   Display Name  
   Description  
   Item Type  
   Dimensions  
   Mrp Number  
   Max Discount Pct  
   Sale Level  
   Unit Price  
   Unit  
   Weight  
   Revision  
   Product Line  
   Config Category
2. The action recognizes the following options for each field in the spreadsheet and will take action according to the field's entry.
   
   | Field Value     | Action Upon Import               | Action Upon Update                                     |
   |-----------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
   | Empty Field     | Field will be left empty         | No changes made to existing data                       |
   | Any Valid Value | Field will be assigned the value | New value will overwrite anything already in the field |
   | The word BLANK  | Field will be left empty         | Data in field will be deleted                          |
3. Run the **Item/Update Items** action from the Item List
4. Select the **Item list import** from the Import Mode dropdown.
5. You can also specify how the import action will behave during the import.
   
   Option
   
   Description
   
   Action
   
   *Update or Create Items*: If a part number is not found, a new item will be created with the given part number.
   
   *Update Existing Only*: If a part number is not found, that row of the spreadsheet will be skipped.
   
   Allow creation of new part numbers
   
   When selected, new part numbers will be assigned if the part number column is blank. If not selected, rows with blank part numbers will be skipped.
   
   Skip Items with External Number
   
   Rows *in spreadsheet* with a defined External Number will be skipped.

#### **Update (or import) a Bill of Materials from an Excel spreadsheet**

Warning: Changes made with this update and import function may not be un-done (easily)! Start small... test with 1 or 2 rows.

1. Create an Excel spreadsheet with the columns listed below:  
   Level *(required, indicates the BOM level, first item in the spreadsheet must be level 0)*  
   Part Number *(required)*  
   Quantity *(required, quantity per parent)*  
   Pick Type *(optional, may be empty, Required, or Standard)*
2. Run the **Item/Update Items** action from the Item List
3. Select the **BOM import** from the Import Mode dropdown.

#### **Update/Import and Item List and Bill of Materials Simultaneously**

When you are adding completely new products to the system, sometimes the item list and bill of materials are combined.

Warning: Changes made with this update and import function may not be un-done! Start small... test with 1 or 2 rows.

1. Create an Excel spreadsheet with the columns listed below:  
   Level *(required, indicates the BOM level, first item in the spreadsheet must be level 0)*  
   Part Number *(required)*  
   Quantity *(required, quantity per parent)*  
   Pick Type *(optional, may be empty, Required, or Standard)*  
   *Optional Columns:*  
   Name  
   Display Name  
   Description  
   Item Type  
   Dimensions  
   Mrp Number  
   Max Discount Pct  
   Sale Level  
   Unit Price  
   Unit  
   Weight  
   Revision  
   Product Line  
   Config Category
2. The action recognizes the following options for each field in the spreadsheet and will take action according to the fields entry.
   
   | Field Value     | Action Upon Import               | Action Upon Update                                     |
   |-----------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
   | Empty Field     | Field will be left empty         | No changes made to existing data                       |
   | Any Valid Value | Field will be assigned the value | New value will overwrite anything already in the field |
   | The word BLANK  | Field will be left empty         | Data in field will be deleted                          |
3. Run the **Item/Update Items** action from the Item List
4. Select the **Item list and BOM import** from the Import Mode dropdown.

#### Hints:

- You can utilize the **Export BOM** action from single item records to export the current BOM to an excel file. You can then modify this file and reimport it using the **Item/Update Items** action.