Objective

Use Import/Export to add Services in bulk to your instance of Coconut or perform a mass update on existing Services records.

For an overview on getting started with Services, please refer to this article.

Steps

To perform a Services import, download the .csv template file, complete the file as indicated, and import it into your instance of Coconut.

NOTE: Coconut currently supports an import limit of up to ~500 Services records.

Download the .csv template file

From the navigation menu, click Import/Export
From Data Type, select Services
Click Export Data to download a template in the supported format to use for the Services import

NOTE: If you have not added a Service to your instance of Coconut, the download will include only the column headers

When Export Data is clicked, an audit operation is performed on the Services data that exists in your instance of Coconut. If this is not the first time you are adding Services to your instance of Coconut and you have received an error message, skip ahead to Resolve formatting errors.

Complete the .csv file

For a sample Services CSV, jump to the end of the article.

Navigate to where the downloaded .csv template is located on your device
Save the .csv template file to your desired location, based on your organization’s best practices and/or policies
Open the .csv file and complete based on the following parameters:

NOTE: Your .csv template may include additional fields depending on your Coconut package and what add-ons (if any) are included; furthermore, values included in the table below may or may not apply to your instance of Coconut, depending on your package

Field	Description	Required/Optional
external_id	A unique identifier that represents the Service outside of your instance of Coconut	Required
new_external_id	Used to update the external_id to a new value (leave blank if no update required)	Optional
name	The name of the Service (note there is a 255 character limit on this field)	Required
instructions	Additional details a client would need to know when booking the Service (for example, bring photo ID)	Optional
description	Additional details describing the Service	Optional
duration	The length of the Service in minutes (if left blank, the default is 0)	Optional
slug	An identifier (for example, the Service’s name); the slug is what is appended to booking shortcut links instead of the Service ID	Optional
flex_time	A code indicating whether staff can update the length of a Service based on individual factors (such as experience) 0 = Staff CANNOT manage flex time 1 = Staff CAN manage flex time	Required
buffer_post	The amount of time (in minutes) that is added to the end of a Service to provide buffer time between appointments	Required
group_service	A code indicating whether the Service is a group service (for example, a webinar) 0 = NOT a group service 1 = IS a group service	Required
visibility	A code that indicates the Service’s visibility when booking an appointment 0 = Public (Service can be booked by anyone) 1 = Private (Service can be booked by staff only) 2 = Invite Only (Service can only be booked through a shortcut)	Required
display_in_lobby	A code indicating whether the Service will display when using Lobby Management in the lobby (only available with Lobby Management add-on) 0 = Service is NOT displayed in Lobby 1 = Service IS displayed in Lobby	Required
destination	A code indicating where the Service is performed 0 = Business Location 1 = Virtual 2 = Client’s Location	Required
meeting_methods	A code indicating how the Service can be performed; separate multiple meeting methods with commas 1 = Business Location 2 = Phone 3 = Video 4 = Client’s Location	Required
client_view_meeting_methods	A code indicating what options for how the Service is performed will display in the Client View (online booking experience) 1 = Business Location 2 = Phone 3 = Video	Required
colour	A hex code value that represents what color displays for the Service when viewed from Schedule	Optional
stagger_start	A code that indicates if staggered starts apply to the Service (staggered starts can only be used in conjunction with group services) 0 = Staggered start does NOT apply 1 = Staggered start DOES apply	Required
require_location_selection	A code that indicates whether clients must select a location when booking the Service through the Client View (online booking experience) 0 = Location selection is NOT required 1 = Location selection IS required	Required

Import the .csv file

From the navigation menu, click Import/Export
From Data Type, select Services
Do one of the following:
- Drag and drop the completed .csv file onto the upload target
- Click or select from your computer to upload the .csv file
Verify the .csv file is without errors by reviewing the confirmation message that displays upon upload
- NOTE: If the Import button does not activate, it indicates there are errors in the .csv file; click Show Errors to review a list of row items in the .csv file that require correction, correct the errors, and re-upload the corrected .csv file (review Resolve formatting errors for more info)
- NOTE: If the Import button activates, it indicates that the .csv file is formatted correctly; details of what will be imported display for your review
Click Import

The Services are imported, and can be accessed by navigating to Services.

Resolve formatting errors

For tips to resolve the most common formatting errors, please visit this article.

From the error message, click Show All
A details list displays; review the details to confirm what updates are required to which Services
Complete the required updates by navigating to the existing Services and updating required fields or updating within the .csv file

The following demonstrates resolving formatting errors by reviewing the errors and updating a revised .csv file. While the example shows a Staff import, the same steps apply.

Resolve external_id errors

An external_id is required for each Service. This identifier enables a database restore should any error occur during the import process. If the error message notes that external_ids are missing, they can be added by either auto-generating an ID or manually inputting an ID.

Auto-generate an external_id

From the error message that displays, click Generate external IDs
An external_id is automatically generated for each item missing the field
- Example of an auto-generated external_id: coco_service_da62fc03-986a-4184-a8aa-c44ccf108871

You can now continue with the import process.

Manually generate an external_id

From the error message that displays, click Show All
Note the Service(s) where an external_id is required
From the navigation menu, click Services
Navigate to a Service that requires updating
- Click More
- Navigate to the External ID field and click the Lock (🔒) icon to unlock the field
- Click OK
- Enter your desired External ID
Click Save
Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each Service that requires updating