Import line items from Excel (Dutch auction)

When you're manually creating a reverse auction event and need to add a large number of line items, you can import lines to make the process faster.

Note: The template files work with Microsoft Excel 2007 and later versions.

Download Excel template

1

Open a draft reverse auction.

2

In the Request items area, click the Import/Export button.

3

Select Download template for import. The Excel template is downloaded.

Add line items

Warning! Additional columns cannot be added to the spreadsheet.

1

Open the template in your preferred spreadsheet program.

2

Add line items. You can quickly and easily add up to 150 rows.

3

Save your spreadsheet.

Column Descriptions

Column	Description
*#	This column is used to number your line items. Use the following numbering based on the line item type: Item: Number the line items sequentially (e.g., 1, 2, 3). Item Group:Use whole numbers to identify the group description, and then use letters to identify individual sub-items for each group (e.g., 4, 4.a, 4.b,4.c). Service: Number the line items sequentially (e.g., 1, 2, 3). Service Group: Use whole numbers to identify the group description, and then use letters to identify individual sub-items for each group (e.g., 4, 4.a, 4.b,4.c).
*Type	Enter the line item type. Item Service GroupItem GroupService
Internal Part Number	Enter your organization's part number for the item. To turn on this feature, contact your Fairmarkit Customer Success Manager.
*Item	Enter a brief description of the line item. You can enter up to 4000 characters. This description helps to improve your supplier matches. See Descriptions for more information.
Manufacturer	Enter the manufacturer name for the item. This field is optional but recommended to improve supplier recommendations.
MFG Part #	Enter the manufacturer's part number for the item. This field is optional but recommended to improve supplier recommendations.
Quantity	Enter the quantity of the line item needed. The quantity measure is based on your selected UOM. Value must be a whole number.
UOM	Enter a unit of measure. For a successful import, select an existing Fairmarkit UOM for the line item type and make sure it is entered in lowercase (UOMs are case sensitive). You will need to adjust the UOM name for some values, such as No Response to no_response and Yes/no to yes_no. To review a list of available values, see UOM.
Benchmark	Enter a benchmark price, such as the last price you paid, in the event currency (up to two decimal places). Adding a benchmark helps you track costs, compare prices, and identify savings opportunities. See: Benchmark. Benchmarks can be added manually, imported from your purchasing application, or suggested from historical data (optional). This value doesn’t update automatically if the event currency changes unless your company has enabled automatic updates (optional). Note: Currency type is determined within Fairmarkit, so the spreadsheet does not allow a currency symbol in this column.
Start date	Enter the start date for the line item. This is typically used for services and software subscriptions and licenses.
End Date	Enter the end date for the line item. This is typically used for services and software subscriptions and licenses.
Comments	Click to access the Comments pane, which allows you to add and view internal comments and supplier messages for the event. This option is only available after the event is opened.

Import from Excel

1

Open a draft reverse auction event and click the Import/Export button.

2

Select Import from Excel and then select and open your saved file. New line items with the information you defined are added.

Note: If there are any issues with your import file, you will receive a message that will tell you which line and column has an issue.

3

Make any necessary additions or changes to the event before you send it to suppliers.

Export line items

1

Add line items to your reverse auction event.

2

In the Request items area, click the Import/Export button.

3

Select Export to Excel. The line items are downloaded in Excel format.

Column Descriptions

Column	Description
*#	This column is used to number your line items. Use the following numbering based on the line item type: Item: Number the line items sequentially (e.g., 1, 2, 3). Item Group:Use whole numbers to identify the group description, and then use letters to identify individual sub-items for each group (e.g., 4, 4.a, 4.b,4.c). Service: Number the line items sequentially (e.g., 1, 2, 3). Service Group: Use whole numbers to identify the group description, and then use letters to identify individual sub-items for each group (e.g., 4, 4.a, 4.b,4.c).
*Type	Enter the line item type. Item Service GroupItem GroupService
Internal Part Number	Enter your organization's part number for the item. To turn on this feature, contact your Fairmarkit Customer Success Manager.
*Item	Enter a brief description of the line item. You can enter up to 4000 characters. This description helps to improve your supplier matches. See Descriptions for more information.
Manufacturer	Enter the manufacturer name for the item. This field is optional but recommended to improve supplier recommendations.
MFG Part #	Enter the manufacturer's part number for the item. This field is optional but recommended to improve supplier recommendations.
Quantity	Enter the quantity of the line item needed. The quantity measure is based on your selected UOM. Value must be a whole number.
UOM	Enter a unit of measure. For a successful import, select an existing Fairmarkit UOM for the line item type and make sure it is entered in lowercase (UOMs are case sensitive). You will need to adjust the UOM name for some values, such as No Response to no_response and Yes/no to yes_no. To review a list of available values, see UOM.
Benchmark	Enter a benchmark price, such as the last price you paid, in the event currency (up to two decimal places). Adding a benchmark helps you track costs, compare prices, and identify savings opportunities. See: Benchmark. Benchmarks can be added manually, imported from your purchasing application, or suggested from historical data (optional). This value doesn’t update automatically if the event currency changes unless your company has enabled automatic updates (optional). Note: Currency type is determined within Fairmarkit, so the spreadsheet does not allow a currency symbol in this column.
Start date	Enter the start date for the line item. This is typically used for services and software subscriptions and licenses.
End Date	Enter the end date for the line item. This is typically used for services and software subscriptions and licenses.
Comments	Click to access the Comments pane, which allows you to add and view internal comments and supplier messages for the event. This option is only available after the event is opened.