Import & Migration
Switching to MGH Books — or just starting with a big customer and product list? You don't have to type it all in. Import your parties and items from a spreadsheet in minutes, opening balances and all. This guide shows you how to bring your data in cleanly, the first time.
Read this first
- You can bulk-import Parties and Items from a CSV/Excel file — no one-by-one typing.
- Opening balances come along. Import customer/vendor opening balances and item opening stock so dues and stock are right from day one.
- Use the template. Download MGH's template, fill it, upload — the columns line up and the import "just works".
- Preview before you commit. You'll see a preview so you can catch mistakes before anything is saved.
- Garbage in, garbage out. Clean your spreadsheet first — correct GSTINs, valid numbers, no merged cells — and the import will be clean too.
- Map your columns carefully. If your file's headings differ from the template, match them in the mapping step so data lands in the right field.
- Basic import is free (Shuruat). Bulk data import/export and Tally-compatible export are Shakti.
- Preview, then import. Always review the preview; fixing after a large import is more work than checking first.
Import step by step
Open Import
From Parties or Items, choose Import (or open the Import panel).
Pick what you're importing
Choose Parties (customers/vendors) or Items (products/services).
Download the template
Grab the CSV/Excel template, fill your data into its columns, and save it.
Upload your file
Upload the filled CSV/Excel. MGH reads the rows.
Map columns & preview
Match each of your columns to the right field (name, GSTIN, price, opening balance…), then review the preview.
Run the import
Confirm — your parties/items are created in one go, opening balances included.
help-shots/im-01-panel.png
help-shots/im-02-map-preview.pngComing from Tally or another tool?
Export your customers/vendors and products from your old software to CSV/Excel, then import them here using the steps above. On Shakti, bulk import/export and Tally-compatible CSV export help you move data both ways at scale.
Real situations
📖 A new user with 200 customers
Pranav has a customer list in Excel. He downloads the Parties template, pastes his data into matching columns, uploads, maps a couple of differently-named headings, previews, and imports all 200 in one go.
📖 Importing the product catalogue
He repeats with Items — names, HSN, prices and opening stock — so his catalogue is ready before his first invoice.
📖 Bringing in old dues
His template includes each customer's opening balance, so the money they already owed shows correctly from day one.
Words you'll see, in plain language
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| CSV | A simple spreadsheet file (comma-separated) most tools can export. |
| Template | A ready-made file with the exact columns MGH expects. |
| Column mapping | Telling MGH which of your columns is the name, GSTIN, price, etc. |
| Opening balance | Pre-existing dues/stock you carry in at the start. |
| Bulk export | Downloading all your data at once (Shakti). |
| Tally-compatible export | A CSV format that works with Tally (Shakti). |
Troubleshooting
| What you notice | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Columns don't line up | Your headings differ from the template | Use the mapping step to match them, or use the template |
| Some rows didn't import | Missing required fields (e.g. name) | Fix those rows in the file and re-import them |
| Duplicates appeared | The same parties already existed | Import only new records; remove duplicates |
| Strange characters in names | File encoding issue | Save the CSV as UTF-8 and re-upload |
Best practices
- Start from the MGH template so columns match perfectly.
- Clean the data first — valid GSTINs, numbers without symbols, no blank names.
- Include opening balances/stock so you're accurate from day one.
- Always read the preview before confirming a large import.
FAQ
What can I import?
Parties (customers/vendors) and Items (products/services), including opening balances/stock.
What file formats are supported?
CSV/Excel. Use the provided template for the smoothest result.
Is import free?
Basic import is free. Bulk import/export and Tally-compatible export are on Shakti.
Can I undo an import?
Preview first to avoid mistakes. If something slips through, edit or remove the affected records afterwards.
- Parties → bulk-create customers/vendors with balances.
- Items & Inventory → bulk-create products with opening stock.
- Backup & Data → export/restore your data — see Backup & Offline.
📸 Screenshot capture checklist
Drop each PNG into help-shots/ with the exact filename and it appears automatically.
| # | Screen to capture | Save as |
|---|---|---|
| IM-01 | Import panel (Parties/Items + template) | help-shots/im-01-panel.png |
| IM-02 | Column mapping / preview | help-shots/im-02-map-preview.png |
Tip: use a small sample file for the screenshots; blur real GSTINs.