Import contacts from CSV
Bring your customer and supplier list into Alya Books from a spreadsheet, map the columns and check the result.
If you already keep buyers and suppliers in Excel, Zoho Books, Tally or another system, import them in one go instead of typing each contact.
Steps
- Go to Contacts and click Import Data, or open Import Data in the sidebar and choose Contact Import. Both open the same dialog.
- Download the template from the dialog if you want a ready-made file, fill it in, or use your own export. Accepted formats: CSV, JSON, XML and XLSX.
- Upload the file. Alya Books shows your columns next to its fields; map each one. Name is the only required column.
- Review the preview and start the import. Contacts are created in batches; the result shows how many succeeded and lists any batch errors.
Columns you can map
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Name | Required |
| Type | buyer, seller or both; anything else becomes buyer |
| TRN | 15 digits; for a Country Code other than AE, the customer's VAT number in any format |
| Trading Name, Contact Person, Email, Phone | Optional |
| Street, City, Emirate, Postal Code, Country Code | Country defaults to AE |
| Peppol ID | For example 0235:1002345678 (the 10-digit TIN; a 15-digit TRN is converted), or a buyer abroad's own ID such as 9930:DE123456789 |
| Peppol Scheme | Only needed when the Peppol ID has no scheme: prefix. Defaults to 0235 in the UAE; a customer abroad with a Peppol ID needs it (for example 9930), or the row is skipped |
| Payment Terms (days) | Whole number |
Good to know
- The import does not check for duplicates. Import a clean list, or delete duplicates afterwards from the list.
- Arabic names, default currency and notes are not import columns; add them by editing the contact.
- You need the import permission (owners, admins and accountants have it).
- Invoices exported from Zoho Books or Tally are imported from the same Import Data page; the live Zoho connector under Connectors syncs contacts continuously instead.
- Items have an identical import under Items → Import Data.