How to review a supplier price list before importing

A supplier has sent a price list, and you need to import it into an inventory or ordering system. A file can look fine at first glance but still contain missing product IDs, prices in the wrong currency, duplicate rows or columns that do not line up.

Review the file before importing so you can catch problems while the original is still available. The CSV Editor opens CSV files in your browser and lets you find, edit, sort and remove duplicate rows.

Review the price list

1. Open a copy of the supplier file in the CSV Editor. Keep the original unchanged so you can compare it or start over if needed.
2. Look across the headers and several rows. Check that each value appears under the right heading, such as product code, description, unit, currency and price. Pay attention to long descriptions with commas, which should remain within one field.
3. Check the fields your importing system needs. Search for a few known product codes and sort by the price column to bring unusually low or high values together for inspection.
4. Look for repeated product codes, blank required fields, unusual characters and prices that do not follow the supplier's stated format. Compare questionable rows with the supplier's quote or a previous list.
5. Make corrections only when you know what the correct value should be. Save the reviewed data as a separate file, then open that copy again and inspect the changed rows before importing.

Do not treat sorting as proof that a price is wrong. It is a way to bring values into view. A low price might be a discount, a different package size or an error, so check the supplier's terms before changing it.

What the results mean

The columns line up and the fields are complete

The CSV is readable, and its basic structure looks consistent. That does not guarantee it matches your import system's requirements. Check the required column names, permitted values and whether blank fields are allowed in that system.

A price looks unusually high, low or blank

It may be a typo, a missing value, or a legitimate change in price. Check the relevant product code against the supplier's current information. Also confirm that you are comparing the same unit, such as one item versus a case of 12.

Numbers or currency values look inconsistent

A value like 1,250 can mean one thousand two hundred fifty or, in some formats, one and a quarter. A price without a currency can also be ambiguous. Confirm the supplier's decimal and thousands separators, currency and tax treatment before importing.

Product codes or rows appear more than once

Repeated codes need review, but they are not always mistakes. One code might appear for different delivery dates or price tiers, while similar descriptions might refer to different sizes or package quantities. Compare the full row and any variant or effective-date fields before removing anything.

Values seem to have shifted into the wrong columns

The file may use separators or quotation marks in a way that does not match what the importer expects. Do not move cells by hand until you understand the cause. Ask the supplier for a correctly formatted file if the rows cannot be read reliably.

How to fix problems before importing

1. Keep the source file unchanged. Make a working copy before editing. This gives you a reference if a correction causes a new problem or you need to ask the supplier about a value.
2. Check the import requirements. Confirm the exact required column names, product identifier and accepted value formats in your inventory or ordering system. A heading such as Item No. may not be accepted where the importer expects SKU.
3. Confirm the price basis. Check currency, tax, shipping, package quantity and effective date. If the file mixes prices per item and per case, do not make them look alike by changing the numbers alone. Ask the supplier to clarify the basis.
4. Correct only confirmed errors. Use the CSV Editor to edit a cell when you have a reliable replacement value. Keep product codes exactly as supplied, including leading zeros, unless your import instructions say otherwise.
5. Review repeated product codes carefully. Compare all relevant columns before removing a row. Remove a duplicate only when it is genuinely the same record and you know which version should remain.
6. Save and recheck a separate copy. Use a clear filename that distinguishes the reviewed file from the supplier's original. Reopen it and check the edited values and column alignment. If your system offers a test import or preview, use it before updating live records.

What a CSV review cannot confirm

A clean-looking file cannot prove that the supplier's prices are current, that the items are available, or that the supplier intended a particular price. It also cannot tell you which of two conflicting values is correct. Keep questions about pricing, product codes and effective dates with the supplier instead of guessing.

The CSV Editor runs in your browser, and the file stays on your device. Keep the original supplier file and the reviewed copy until the import has been checked.