# Import places from a spreadsheet

> Add or update up to 1,000 places at once with a CSV file: the template, the rules for each column and how updates work.

Source: https://navify.tech/help/import-places-from-a-spreadsheet/
Date: 2026-11-04 · Places

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With a spreadsheet you can add many places at once, or update the ones you have. Everything happens on the **Import and export** screen.

## 1. Prepare categories and tags

Categories and tags in the file must **already exist** in the app with the same name. Create them first on **Categories and tags**. The import never creates a category, so a typo can't fill your store with stray ones.

## 2. Download the template

Use **Download template**. It is a CSV with the column headers only. The columns are:

| Column | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| `id` | Leave empty for new places. Filled in exports, to update a place |
| `external_id` | Your own code for the place, such as the one in your ERP. Optional, unique |
| `name`, `category`, `status` | Name, category name, and `published` or `draft` (default) |
| `address_line1`, `street_number`, `address_line2`, `neighbourhood`, `city`, `region`, `postal_code`, `country_code` | The address. Country as a two-letter code, such as `US` or `BR` |
| `latitude`, `longitude` | Optional. Without them, the address is located automatically |
| `phone`, `whatsapp`, `email`, `site`, `instagram`, `booking_url` | Contacts |
| `photo_url` | A public `https` link to an image (PNG, JPG, WEBP or GIF, up to 5 MB) |
| `description` | Plain text |
| `tags` | Tag names separated by `\|` |
| `mon` … `sun` | One period such as `09:00-18:00`, or `closed` |

## 3. Know how updates work

- A row with `id` updates that place. A row with only `external_id` updates the place with that code, or creates it.
- Any other row creates a new place.
- **An empty cell keeps the saved value.**
- The `tags` cell replaces the place's whole list of tags.
- **Places missing from the file are never deleted.**
- New places stay as drafts unless `status` says `published`.

## 4. Send the file

Choose or drag the file and send it. The limit is **1,000 rows and 5 MB** per file, and one import runs at a time per store. Files separated by commas or semicolons both work.

The result appears in the history: places created, updated and rows with errors. Use **See errors** to find the line and the reason. A bad row is skipped; the others are saved.

## 5. Wait for the locations

Places without coordinates are located in the background at about one per second, so 1,000 places take at least 17 minutes. Then check the **Places** list for approximate locations, as described in [Fix a place's location on the map](https://navify.tech/help/fix-a-place-location/).

## Export first

Before a big update, use **Import and export** to export your places. The export uses the same columns, so you can edit it and import it back. Re-importing an unchanged export changes nothing.