# How to import an Excel or CSV file with AI Mode in Snad

To import a file with AI Mode in Snad, open the **Files** page, press **Upload file** and pick a CSV or Excel file. Choose the data type and match the columns, then review the **Check result**, press **Review import** and confirm. The import keeps running in the background even if you leave the page.

## Before you start

- A Snad account, with AI Mode turned on for your organization ([get started with AI Mode](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-start)).
- A CSV file or an Excel .xlsx file, with column names in its first row.
- Permission to add the type of data you import: [products](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-product), [customers](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-customer) or [suppliers](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-supplier).

## Steps

1. **Open the Files page.** At the bottom of the AI Mode sidebar, open **More actions** and choose **Files**. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports#adv-resume)

   ![The More actions menu open in the AI Mode sidebar with the Files option](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/ai-mode-imports/menu-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **More actions** button · (2) The **Files** option

2. **Upload a CSV or Excel file.** Press **Upload file** at the top of the page and choose one file. **Reading the file** shows, then the import page opens. The old .xls format isn't accepted. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports#adv-sheets)

   ![The AI Mode Files page with the Upload file button at the top](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/ai-mode-imports/files-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Upload file** button

3. **Choose the data type.** The page asks **What does this file contain?** Choose **Products**, **Customers** or **Suppliers**. Only the types you are [allowed to add](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/roles-permissions) show. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports#adv-not-imported)

4. **Match the columns.** In **Match columns**, AI Mode pairs each **File column** with a **Snad field**, next to **Examples from the file**. Fix whatever needs your choice. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports#adv-not-imported)

5. **Review the check result.** The **Check result** splits the file's rows into **Ready to import**, **Similar, will be skipped** and **Has errors**. Download the error file and fix it if there are any. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports#adv-fix-errors)

6. **Confirm the import.** Press **Review import** to get the preview, then confirm under **Confirm the import**. The confirmation asks you to type a phrase or a number yourself. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports#adv-fix-errors)

7. **Follow the result.** The import runs in the background, so you can leave the page. When **Import completed.** shows, press **Open products** or the match for your data type. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports#adv-resume)

## Messages that block saving

| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The file is empty. | The uploaded file has no data. | Open the file, check that it has rows, then upload it again. |
| You don't have permission to import. An admin in your organization can grant it. | Your user has no permission to import. | Ask your account admin for it ([roles and permissions](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/roles-permissions)). |
| Imports aren't enabled for your organization right now. | The import feature is off for your organization. | Ask your account admin to turn it on, or use the regular [product import](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/import-products) page. |
| No rows can be imported. Fix the file and upload it again. | Every row has errors or matches an existing record. | Download the error file, fix the rows, then upload the corrected file. |
| This file has expired. Nothing was changed. | Too long passed since the file was uploaded. | Press **Upload the file again** and start over. |
| The matching can't change once the preview is ready. | AI Mode prepared the preview, so the matching is fixed. | Upload the file again if you want a different match. |

## Advanced details

### Excel sheets and file encoding

If an Excel file has more than one sheet, choose the sheet in **Sheet to read**. Changing the sheet uploads the file again and the matching starts over.

The page warns you if the file was read as Windows-1256 and characters look garbled: save it as UTF-8 and upload it again.

Cells holding a formula without a saved result, or an error, can't be read. Fix them in Excel, then upload the file again.

### What AI Mode doesn't import

When you import products, a message **Some columns won't be imported** shows: AI Mode doesn't import [categories](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/product-categories), [brands](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/product-brands) or [opening quantities](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/import-stock).

Add them through **Open product import**, with steps in [import products from a file](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/import-products), which has its own template.

For a column you don't want, choose **Skip this column** and it isn't imported.

### Errors and similar records

Rows with errors aren't imported. Press **Download the error file**, fix those rows, then upload the file with **Upload corrected file**.

Under **Similar records** you choose **Skip similar records** or **Create records anyway**.

You can **Stop import** while it runs. Records already created stay as they are and aren't removed automatically.

### Returning to an earlier import

The import session is kept on the server. If you refresh the page or return to its link, you carry on from the stage you reached, and a running import continues in the background.

Files you uploaded earlier are under **Files**, then **Uploaded**. For other actions, see [run an action with AI Mode](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-actions).

If the **Upload file** button doesn't show, importing isn't available for your organization right now, or you lack the permission.

## Common questions

### Which file types can AI Mode import?

CSV files and Excel .xlsx files, one file at a time. The old .xls format isn't supported: save it as .xlsx or CSV.

### What can I import?

**Products**, **Customers** and **Suppliers**, depending on what you are allowed to add.

### Does anything change before I confirm?

No. Uploading, matching and checking create no records. Records are created only after you confirm the import.

### What if I leave the page during the import?

The import keeps running in the background even if you leave the page. Return to its page to see the result.

### How do I import products with categories and opening quantities?

AI Mode doesn't import them. Use the [import products from a file](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/import-products) page, which has its own template.

## Read next

- [Import products from a file](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/import-products) — Import your products into Snad in one go: download the template, fill it, upload it, review the products and save. Seven short steps with screenshots.
- [Get started with AI Mode](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-start) — Start with AI Mode in Snad: open it from the sidebar, type a request or pick an example, attach a file, and come back to your conversations.
- [Run an action with AI Mode](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-actions) — Run an operation through AI Mode in Snad: ask for it in the chat, review the preview, confirm, then follow the result and the history. Plus how to undo it.
- [Reports in AI Mode](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-reports) — Ask AI Mode for a report in Snad, then open it in full, export it to Excel or CSV and save it so you can refresh it later from the Saved reports page.
- [Add a customer](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-customer) — Add a customer in Snad: name, phone, address, tax details and payment terms, then save. Five short steps with screenshots, plus the Excel import.
- [Add a product](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-product) — Add a product in Snad: pick the type, enter the name, price, cost and stock, then organize and save it. Eight short steps with screenshots.
- [AI Mode in Snad](https://www.snad.io/en/ai) — What AI Mode does and how it protects your data.
- [Snad cloud ERP](https://www.snad.io/en/erp) — Products, customers and suppliers in one program.

[Open this screen in Snad](https://app.snad.io/dashboard/ai/files)

- **URL:** https://www.snad.io/en/guide/ai-mode-imports
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-11-05

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## About the publisher
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