---
title: Import a spreadsheet
description: "Upload a CSV, TSV or Excel file of works, check how its columns are matched and preview the changes before anything is saved."
keywords: [import, spreadsheet, CSV, TSV, Excel, xlsx, columns, match columns, upload works, file size, row limit]
---

Use this page to bring works from a spreadsheet into a catalogue. Uploading does not change your catalogue. Works are added only when you save, as [Review an import before saving](/docs/workspace/add-works/review) explains.

## Before you start

- You need to be able to edit the workspace. With view-only access the import button is not there.
- Open the catalogue the works should go into. [Several catalogues](/docs/workspace/catalogue/several-catalogues) shows how to make a new one.
- Your file can be an Excel file (.xlsx), a CSV or a TSV. CSV and TSV are plain text files that any spreadsheet program can save.
- Name each column at the top, such as Title or [ISWC](/docs/cwr/glossary#iswc). The Workspace suggests where it goes from the name.
- The largest file size and the most rows are listed on the screen under **Sizes and file types**. A file over the size limit is refused before it uploads.

## Steps

1. Go to **Catalogue** and choose **Import a file (CSV, TSV, Excel or CWR)**. The **Import works** panel opens.
2. Under **Import file**, choose your file, then choose **Upload and review**.
3. If an Excel file has more than one sheet, pick one under **Workbook sheet** and choose **Open selected sheet**. If you reopened a saved import, the screen asks you to choose the original file again first.
4. Under **Check your columns**, open **Match your columns**. For each column the table shows **Your column**, a sample from the **First row**, and where it **Goes to**. Check every suggestion. Change a destination from its list, or choose **Not imported** for a column you do not need.
5. Choose **Preview changes**. The works appear below for review.

![The Match your columns table of a spreadsheet import, listing each column of the file and the place the Workspace suggests for it.](/docs/img/workspace/import-columns.png)

## How columns are matched

The Workspace matches by name, and capital letters, underscores and hyphens do not matter. Title and Song title suggest **Work title**. Work reference and Work code suggest **Your work reference**. ISWC, ISRC, Label, Album and Publisher match the details of those names.

Numbered columns such as Writer 2 IPI become the second writer on each work, and publishers work the same way. You can have up to 10 of each. A destination takes one column: give it to another and the first becomes **Not imported**.

The Workspace does not guess when a column name is blank, appears twice or fits two details, or when a column holds writers' full names. Choose those yourself, and split full names into first-name and last-name columns first. A suggestion changes nothing until you choose **Preview changes**.

## Other choices on this screen

- **Advanced: catalogue source** holds **Source catalogue system**, a name that keeps work references from different sources apart. Keep it the same when you import updates from one system.
- **When updating saved works, let empty cells remove saved values** lets a blank cell clear a saved detail. If you tick it, most columns offer **Empty cells remove the saved value**, and the preview shows each removal first.
- For the CWR Workbench's template spreadsheet, the screen warns that shares, territories and sub-publishers are not read and points to **Save to workspace** in the Workbench. See [Bring in a draft from the Workbench](/docs/workspace/add-works/from-the-workbench).

## If something goes wrong

- **Preview changes** is switched off. At least one column must go somewhere, and the source name cannot be empty.
- "No works were found in the mapped rows" means the columns you chose do not hold work details. Change them and preview again.
- **Reload saved import** appears with a message. Choose it, then preview again.
- The file has too many rows. After you choose **Upload and review**, a message says the file or worksheet exceeds the limit of data rows. The limit is listed under **Sizes and file types**. Split the works across smaller files and import them one after another.
- You leave before saving. The import waits under **Saved imports** as **Match columns**, or **Continue review** once previewed.

## Related

- [Review an import before saving](/docs/workspace/add-works/review)
- [Import a CWR file](/docs/workspace/add-works/cwr-file)
- [Ways to add works](/docs/workspace/add-works/)