Excel and CSV Contract Import: A Data Preparation Guide

Short answer: Export your spreadsheet as CSV or .xlsx, use the DocRenewal template to map columns, and review the row preview before importing. The importer requires a title, vendor, cost, start date, and end date for every contract, and supports batches of up to 500 rows in files no larger than 5 MB.

Map spreadsheet columns to contract fields

Use one row per contract and include the required fields: Title, Vendor, Cost, Start Date, and End Date. Optional columns can include Category, Billing Frequency, Auto Renew, Cancellation Deadline, Document URL, and Notes. The importer recognizes common alternatives such as Supplier for Vendor and Expiration Date for End Date.

DocRenewal contracts page with the spreadsheet import button and contract records — The contracts page and spreadsheet import action in DocRenewal (fictional sample data).

Standardize dates and amounts

Use one date convention throughout the file, preferably YYYY-MM-DD, and check dates against the signed agreement. Costs must be non-negative numbers; remove ambiguous text and confirm whether commas indicate decimals or thousands. Use Yes or No in the Auto Renew column.

Preview rows and address validation errors

Upload the CSV or Excel file in the contract import dialog. Review each row and fix missing required values, invalid dates, and end dates earlier than start dates in the spreadsheet. A blank optional category is set to “Other.” Re-upload and preview again after you make corrections.

Protect source data during migration

Keep an unchanged copy of the original export. Do not guess missing notice deadlines or contract values to make validation pass; verify them from the source documents or leave optional fields blank when appropriate. Check a sample of imported records against the signed contracts after the import.

Frequently asked questions

Which spreadsheet formats are supported?

CSV and Excel .xlsx files are supported. Export other spreadsheet formats to one of these before importing.

What is the batch limit?

One import supports up to 500 contract rows and a maximum file size of 5 MB.

Does the preview confirm that contract information is true?

No. The preview checks required fields and data formats. A person must verify contract facts against the source documents.

Consistent source data makes future search and reporting more dependable. See DocRenewal CSV and Excel import for more on the import workflow.