Import categories from CSV

When to use this: you are onboarding a taxonomy from a spreadsheet or need to create many parent/child categories at once.

Import categories — upload a CSV or Excel file, map headers, review rows, then import.

Steps

1. Open Catalog → Classification → Categories and click Import in the page header.
2. On the Upload step, choose a .csv, .xlsx, or .xls file — or download the template first.
3. On Map columns, match your file headers to one of these hierarchy layouts:
   • Level columns — level_1 through level_4 (root to deepest child)
   • Name + parent — name and optional parent_name
   • Full path — one column such as Prescription (Rx) > Antibiotics
4. Optionally map description and is_active columns.
5. Click Review rows and confirm the create / skip / error summary.
6. Click Import to create new categories. Existing paths are skipped automatically.

Supported hierarchy depth

You can import up to four levels — for example:

level_1	level_2	level_3	level_4
Medicines	Tablets & Capsules
Medicines	Syrups & Suspensions
Personal Care	Skin Care

Each row can define a root-only category (only level_1 filled) or a branch at any depth up to level 4.

You’re done when

The import summary shows how many categories were created, skipped, or failed — and the tree refreshes with the new taxonomy.

Good to know

• The dialog stays open if you click outside it — use Cancel or Done to close.
• Parent categories are created automatically when using level columns or full-path mode.
• For name + parent rows, parents must exist in the file or already in the catalog before children can import.

Related

• Add a root category · Add a child category · Fields & actions