How to Import and Update Sellers in Bulk with a CSV File

BidWrangler lets you create new seller records or update existing ones in bulk through a Sellers import, using a CSV file built from the current seller import template. The system uses each seller's email address as the unique identifier, so a row with an email that already exists updates that seller's record, and a row with a new email creates a new seller. This makes the Sellers import the fastest way to set up or refresh seller data outside of adding sellers one at a time in the Admin Portal.

When to Use a Sellers Import

A Sellers import is the right tool when you need to add or update more than a handful of seller records at once. For example, when onboarding a new client roster, migrating sellers from another system, or correcting information (like an address or commission structure) across many sellers in one pass. For a single seller, or to assign a seller while cataloging, sellers can also be created on the fly from any lot creation or editing screen, or added individually from the Administer Sellers page.

Before You Start Your Sellers Import

Download the sellers import template from the import page and use its headers as written. The page then maps each column automatically, and extra columns in the file are harmless.

Give every row a unique seller number from 1 to 999,999,999, or leave them blank. If you fill the Commission id, Tax rate id, or Expense id columns, read the IDs off their respect admin screens first. The Tax rate id on this import is a settlement tax rate. It is a different record from the invoicing tax rate that the Bidders import uses, so do not copy an ID from the invoicing screen.

What Each Column Accepts

Required: Seller number must be a whole number from 1 to 999,999,999, unique within your company or left blank. Duplicate numbers fail. Email Address is the matching key. An existing seller account anywhere in your syndication group is updated, not duplicated. First Name and Last Name are plain text.

Account manager and Contract are free text for your own reference. The Account manager column does not link to a user account, and the Contract column does not hold a file.

Notes holds internal notes on the seller.

Address columns: the street needs 6 to 50 characters, the city needs 3 to 25 characters, the state needs at least 2 letters, and the country needs a two-letter code such as US. An address that does not fully validate is skipped and logged to the error report, and the seller still saves.

Commission id must be an existing seller commission. Tax rate id must be an existing settlement tax rate. An unknown ID leaves that field empty, imports the rest of the row, and writes a line to the error report.

Seller Import Template Columns

Download a seller import template here.

Column	Required	Notes
Seller number	No	Auto-assigned if left blank
First name	Yes
Last name	Yes
Email	Yes	Unique identifier; determines create vs. update
Phone number	No
Secondary Phone Number	No
Driver's License	No
Street Address	No	Include all location fields including Country if any address field is used. County is optional.
City	No
State	No
Postal code	No
County	No
Country	No	Required if any other address field is filled in
Notes	No	Free text
Company / Organization	No
Account manager	No
Contract	No
Commission ID	No	Must reference an existing commission structure via ID number.
Tax Rate ID	No	Must reference an existing tax rate via ID number.
Expense ID	No	Must reference an existing expense record via ID number.

How to Run a Sellers Import

Open your BidWrangler Admin Portal.
Go to the Imports section and select Sellers import.
Click Create to start a new import.
Click Choose File and select your completed sellers CSV file.
Review the column mapping screen. Most columns from the seller import template auto-associate with the matching field; manually map any that don't.
Click Save to run the import.
Check the Sellers import page for any error messages. Rows with issues (a missing required field, an invalid ID reference, and similar) are flagged there for you to correct and re-upload.

If you're new to BidWrangler or haven't run a sellers import before, it's worth reaching out to your Customer Success representative before your first import so we can double check your file.

FAQ

Does a Sellers import create new sellers, update existing ones, or both? Both. BidWrangler matches each row to a seller by email address. If the email already exists on a seller record, that row updates the existing seller and overwrites the current information in the matched fields. If the email doesn't match any existing seller, a new seller record is created.

What file format does the Sellers import accept? Only .csv files. Uploading a file saved as .xlsx or another spreadsheet format will return a format error, so export or save your working file as CSV before uploading.

Why didn't my seller's address show up after importing or why was the seller saved without an address? This usually happens when the Country column is left blank. If you're including any address fields (Street Address, City, State, Postal Code, County), make sure Country is filled in too, or the address won't populate on the seller record.

The address columns validate together. An address that fails validation is logged to the error report, and the seller still saves without it.

Can I remove or delete seller records through a CSV import? No. Seller record removal is restricted to the BidWrangler team to help prevent accidental data loss. If you need seller records removed, reassign any items still linked to those sellers first, then contact helpdesk@bidwrangler.com with the seller numbers to remove.

What do the Commission ID, Tax Rate ID, and Expense ID columns reference? These columns point to commission structures, tax rates, and expense records already configured in your BidWrangler account, not raw rates or dollar amounts typed directly into the CSV. Set up the commission structure, tax rate, or expense in your account first, then reference its ID in the import file.

Is there a sandbox or test environment to try a Sellers import before running it on live data? No, BidWrangler does not offer a sandbox or test account. We recommend reviewing your file carefully against the template and, especially for a first import, checking in with your Customer Success representative before uploading.

Where do I get the current seller import template? The seller import template is available here. If you'd like a copy sent directly, or have questions about mapping your data to it, reach out to helpdesk@bidwrangler.com.

Is a Sellers import available on all plans, or does it require additional licensing?Sellers import is available to all BidWrangler customers at no additional cost or licensing requirement.

Why did every row in my file fail? The most common cause is a missing Seller number column. Every row needs a whole number that is unique within your company.

Can I attach a contract document to a seller through the import? No. The Contract column is a free text reference, for example a contract number. It does not hold or link to a file.

What happens if I import the same file twice? A re-import matches each row by email address and updates the existing seller. It does not create a duplicate.

Why is the seller's commission empty after the import? The Commission id in that row did not match an existing seller commission. The import left the field empty and wrote a line to the error report. Read the correct ID off the Seller Settlement screen and import again.

Have questions about your sellers import, or need a hand mapping your data? Reach out to us at helpdesk@bidwrangler.com and we're happy to help.