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How to Upload Cost Codes Using a Spreadsheet (CSV)

The process for bulk uploading cost codes using the Workyard custom CSV format

Yesenia Quintana avatar
Written by Yesenia Quintana
Updated yesterday

Workyard makes it easy to upload your cost codes in bulk using a spreadsheet. This is ideal for importing cost codes from another system or managing a large set of codes.

How to Access the Cost Code Import Page

  1. Login into Workyard on a computer

  2. Click on Project Hub from the left-hand menu.

  3. Select the Cost Codes tab (top right).

  4. Click the + Cost Code button.

  5. Choose Import Cost Codes.

  6. Select the Spreadsheet (CSV) option.

CSV Format Requirements

Your spreadsheet should include the following columns:

Column

Required?

Code

Optional

Name

✅ Yes

Example:

Code

Name

100

Framing

200

Electrical Rough-In

After Uploading Your File

  1. Workyard validates your CSV for errors—click Next to continue.

  2. Choose an action for each cost code:

    • Create – New codes

    • Update – For existing codes

    • Do Not Import – Skip a code

  3. Click Assign to Projects to select where the cost code applies

  4. Click Import, then Finish after confirming your list

Your cost codes will now be available in your projects and cost reports.

Error: "This template format is incorrect. Please follow our instructions."

If you see this red error message after uploading your CSV file, it means the file does not match the required template format.

To resolve this:

  1. Make sure you download and use the official cost code template provided on the upload page.

  2. Do not remove, rename, or rearrange columns.

  3. Only use the columns: Code(optionally) & Name (required)

You can download the correct template by clicking the Cost Code Template button on the upload page.

Tips & Troubleshooting

  • File must be saved as .csv

  • Avoid duplicates unless updating

  • Remove blank rows or extra commas

  • After uploading your cost code CSV, Workyard will automatically assign an action to each row:

    • Create – Auto-selected for any new cost code that doesn’t already exist in your account.

    • Update – Auto-selected if the cost code already exists and is being modified (e.g., name or description changes).

    • Do Not Import – This option is not selected automatically. You’ll need to manually choose this for any cost codes you don’t want to import.

    Tip: Use the “Do Not Import” option to skip test entries, duplicates, or inactive codes.

Need help? Chat with us—we’re happy to assist! Contact us directly at help@workyard.com

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