It's easy to create and update individual items in STACK but if you have a large list of items, we can do a bulk import directly to your item library using our CSV Item Import Template. Find out how below.
NOTE: Items can only be imported to your item library (My Items). They CANNOT be imported to STACK-provided catalogs (Quick Start Items or STACK Items).
Content
More on Items and Assemblies (links to related articles)
Things to Do Before Import
Create any custom Cost Types that you want to use. (This is done in Account Settings/Company Settings.)
Determine the folder structure and naming convention you want to use in My Items.
(It is difficult to move items once created.)If you are updating any items, download and/or Create Snapshot of existing reports, estimates, and estimate worksheets for projects that used those items so you have a record of the original reports and estimates.
NOTE: The import will update any items that already exist in your account with the same item ID and folder structure as an item on your Item Import Template. Updated item information is applied to future AND existing projects. See Updating Items via Import section below for details.
Item Import Instructions
NOTE: If you want to import a mass update to your existing items, you can export your item information from STACK instead of downloading and completing a blank Item Import Template.
Download the Item Import Template and save. (This is a CSV file.)*
Click ITEMS on the main navigation toolbar.
Click the ellipsis (three dots) to the right of My Items.
Select Download item template.
Input your item information in the template.
The template has some instructions and examples of what information to enter in each column. Make sure to delete that information, except for the column titles in Row 1, keep the prepopulated info there.
Use the Item Import Template Guide below for reference and add an Accepted Value in the corresponding template columns.
Provide all Required information.
Do not skip rows.
Do not hide columns.
Refer to the Item Information and Folder Levels Visual References for additional info.
Email the populated template to your STACK Account Manager.
Your Account Manager will review the template and let you know if any formatting changes are needed.
Once the data is properly formatted, your Account Manager will add it to the import queue. Imports are usually completed in about 3 business days. You will be notified when your import is complete.
*If you do not have access to Excel, you can complete the template using Google Sheets - click here for instructions.
Item Import Template Guide
This provides a description the information you should enter in each column of the Item Import Template along with an example. (See the bullet points below the table for more information about the Folder Level and Cost Type fields.)
Column - Field | Accepted Value | Example |
A - ItemName | Required, Text Name of item (usually material name). | Shingles (Metal) |
B - ItemDescription | Optional, Text Description of the item, how it functions, or any requirements or specifications. This info will only appear on item edit screens. | 24 Gauge Aluminum |
C - PurchaseUnit | Required, Text Unit of measure that will appear on reports. Usually how you purchase from your supplier (ex. bundle, gallon, roll, sheet, etc.) Can be same as Unit of Measure below. | Squares |
D - UnitofMeasure | Required, Must be a value listed below:
Unit of measure that will be used during takeoff. | sq ft |
E - CoverageRatePurchase | Required, Numeric Factor to convert from Unit of Measure (ex. Sq Ft) to Purchase Unit (ex. Gallons). | 1 (when 1 Squares = 100 sq ft) |
F - CoverageRateMeasured | Required, Numeric How many Units of Measure to equal the listed Purchase Unit. | 100 (when 1 Squares = 100 sq ft) |
G - FolderLevel1 | Optional* (defaults to Items folder if not provided), Text This will be the root folder. Folders 1 - 5 are used to organize your items so you can easily find them. Folder information is not output in your estimates or reports. | Roofing |
H - FolderLevel2 | Optional*, Text Subfolder to 1 | Shingle |
I - FolderLevel3 | Optional*, Text Subfolder to 2 | Shingle (Metal) |
J - FolderLevel4 | Optional*, Text Subfolder to 3 | Shingle Metal (Aluminum) |
K - FolderLevel5 | Optional, Text Subfolder to 4 | |
L - CostType1 | Required, Text Equipment, Labor, Material, Subcontract or a custom cost type. (Setup any custom cost types prior to the import.) | Material |
M - UnitCost1 | Optional, Numeric. Example: 100.00 | 10 |
N - AccountingCode1 | Optional, Text Any accounting code, cost code, part #, SKU #, or info you want output to your reports or estimate. | 5409-07 |
O - CostType2 | Optional*, Text Equipment, Labor, Material, Subcontract or a custom cost type. (Setup any custom cost types prior to the import.) | Labor |
P - UnitCost2 | Optional, Numeric. Example: 100.00 | 25 |
Q - AccountingCode2 | Optional, Text Any accounting code, cost code, part #, SKU #, or info you want output to your reports or estimate. | 5409-08 |
R - CostType3 | Optional*, Text Equipment, Labor, Material, Subcontract or a custom cost type. (Setup any custom cost types prior to the import.) | |
S - UnitCost3 | Optional, Numeric. Example: 100.00 | |
T - AccountingCode3 | Optional, Text Any accounting code, cost code, part #, SKU #, or info you want output to your reports or estimate. | |
U - CostType4 | Optional*, Text Equipment, Labor, Material, Subcontract or a custom cost type. (Setup any custom cost types prior to the import.) | |
V - UnitCost4 | Optional, Numeric. Example: 100.00 | |
W - AccountingCode4 | Optional, Text Any accounting code, cost code, part #, SKU #, or info you want output to your reports or estimate. | |
X - CostType5 | Optional*, Text Equipment, Labor, Material, Subcontract or a custom cost type. (Setup any custom cost types prior to the import.) | |
Y - UnitCost5 | Optional, Numeric. Example: 100.00 | |
Z - AccountingCode5 | Optional, Text Any accounting code, cost code, part #, SKU #, or info you want output to your reports or estimate. |
*Folder Levels: These fields are optional. However, if you do provide info for a folder level, you must also provide info for the preceding folder level(s). For example, if you provide information for FolderLevel4, you also need to provide information for FolderLevel3, FolderLevel2, and FolderLevel1. The item will be saved in the last folder level provided. In this example, the item would be saved in FolderLevel4.
*Cost Type: You are only required to have one cost type per item but can add up tp five different cost types with associated unit costs and accounting codes per item via the Item Import Template.
Visual Reference - Item Information (Columns A-F and L-Z)
This shows how the item information you would enter when manually creating an item in STACK correlates to the information you need to enter in the Item Import Template columns.
Visual Refence - Folder Levels (Columns G-K)
This shows how your folder structure should be set up in STACK.
Updating Items via Import
To perform a mass update of your existing items, you can download a blank Item Import Template and enter the information or you can export your existing items from STACK. Exporting your items will give you a prepopulated Item Import Template containing ALL of your current item information which you can then edit. (The export option is very useful if you need to do a mass update of your item prices.)
NOTE: If you export your existing items, the prepopulated template you receive will show an “Export ID” column that is not shown on the blank Item Import Template. Do NOT edit the Export ID column. The info in that column must match what was exported or STACK will create a new item instead of updating the existing item information.
Refer to Item Import Instructions and Item Import Template Guide above for instructions on how to fill out the template and import the information to STACK.
What Will Be Updated
Any items that already exist in your account with the same item name and folder structure as an item on your Item Import Template will be updated.
You can update these item information fields:
Item Name
Description
Purchase Unit
Unit of Measure
Coverage Rate
Cost Type
Unit Cost*
Accounting Code
NOTE: Updated item information is applied to future AND existing projects.
This means existing reports and estimates you've already created for projects that use any items being updated will also be updated.* Before import, make sure to download and/or Create Snapshot of any existing reports, estimates, and estimate worksheets for current/past projects that will be impacted so you have a record of your original reports and estimates if needed.
*Unit Cost is an exception - it will NOT be updated on existing estimates.
It will be updated on existing reports and the updates will be applied to estimates and reports created after the import.
Update Limitations
Since Folder Levels are used to match an import row with an existing item these fields cannot be changed via import.
The import will never delete items from your account. It also cannot move items from one folder to another. These operations must be performed in the STACK web application.
If you delete an item from the My Library section in the STACK web application, it is disconnected from all existing takeoffs, assemblies, etc. You CANNOT undo the item deletion and disconnect by reimporting the deleted item Export ID and information; a new item will be created.
Using the Item Import Template with Google Sheets
If you do not have access to Excel, you can use Google Sheets to complete the Item Import Template.
Download the Item Import Template. (See Item Import Instructions, step 1 above.)
Log in to Google Drive at drive.google.com.
Select New, then choose File Upload.
Locate and select the Item Import Template file.
Choose Open to add the file to Google Drive.
Select the file in Google Drive to open it.
Choose Open with from the top of the screen, then Google Sheets.
Follow the directions above to fill in the Item Import Template.
Select the File option at the top of the screen.
Choose Download, then select Comma-separated values (.csv, current sheet).
Email the populated template to your STACK Account Manager.
More on Items and Assemblies
Create, Edit, or Delete Custom Items
Export Your Custom Items from STACK
How to Customize or Create an Assembly
Working with Assembly Formulas
If you need additional assistance, please contact us.