# 6. Bulk Import (Spreadsheet Import & Export)

The Inventory Spreadsheet Import & Export screen moves parts in and out of ARM in bulk. The Export panel produces an Excel file of everything you stock from one supplier; the Import panel loads an edited file back in. Import replaces your existing inventory, so it is intended for initial setup or for a controlled update by an experienced user. If your shop is already running on ARM, change parts in Parts rather than re-importing.

## How do I export my inventory to a spreadsheet?

1. From the Home Screen, click Inventory → [Import Inventory From Spreadsheet](https://autosoftware.company/import_inventory.php).
2. In the Export panel, choose the vendor in Select Supplier.
3. Click Export Inventory To Spreadsheet By Supplier. ARM generates the Excel file for that supplier.
4. Open the file in Excel to review or edit it.

## How do I import a spreadsheet into my inventory?

1. From the Home Screen, click Inventory → Import Inventory From Spreadsheet.
2. In the Import panel, click Choose File and select your spreadsheet. Only XLS and XLSX files are accepted, and the data must be entered correctly.
3. Click Override Inventory From Updated Spreadsheet.
4. ARM reads the file and replaces your current parts list with it.

## How do I move my inventory from Sage NextGen into ARM?

1. In Sage NextGen, run the Shortlist Items in Inventory report. Its format matches ARM's import file.
2. Check that the spreadsheet keeps ARM's column headers, the category name rows, and the blank row between categories.
3. Send the file to ARM support. Categories sometimes need aligning between NextGen and ARM, which we handle as part of the import.

## About this screen

The exported file uses the columns STOCK NUMBER, DESCRIPTION, LAST COST, SELLING PRICE, MIN ON HAND, QTY ON HAND, CARTON QTY, MARKUP AMOUNT, PREMIUM AMOUNT, and TAXABLE. Parts are grouped by category, with the category name on its own row and a blank row separating one category from the next. Keep that layout, including the headers and the blank rows, or ARM cannot match the parts to their categories on import.

For a first-time load, send your file to ARM support and let us run the import instead — it avoids format errors and saves you entering every part, cost, price, and quantity by hand.