> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://nectarclimate.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Migrate from spreadsheets

> Import sites and connections from spreadsheets, then collect bills through connections, uploads, or invitations.

If your team runs utility operations in spreadsheets, you can move the structure into Nectar with self-serve bulk import, then collect bills through the platform instead of pasting monthly values by hand.

Self-serve bulk import covers **sites**, **connections**, and **custom variable values** on existing sites. Accounts, meters, and bills are created when you collect or upload data — not from a full-history spreadsheet template.

## How spreadsheet workflows are usually organized

Common spreadsheet setups include columns for:

* Utility provider and account number
* Site address or building name
* Billing period start/end
* Usage values (for example kWh, therms, gallons)
* Charges, due dates, and payment status
* Notes for exceptions and follow-up

These columns describe typical source files. They are not a single Nectar import template.

## What you can import yourself

| What you import                              | Where                                                                                                                       | Template                                      |
| -------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| [Sites](/docs/platform/glossary#site)             | [**Settings > Company > Sites**](https://dash.nectarclimate.com/settings/company/sites) → **Add sites** → bulk import       | Site config template (XLSX or CSV)            |
| [Connections](/docs/platform/glossary#connection) | [**Data Input > Connections**](https://dash.nectarclimate.com/data-input/connections/new/bulk) → bulk import                | Connection bulk upload template (XLSX or CSV) |
| Custom variable values                       | [**Settings > Company > Sites**](https://dash.nectarclimate.com/settings/company/sites) → import values onto existing sites | Custom variable import schema                 |

**See also:** [Glossary — Bulk import](/docs/platform/glossary#bulk-import)

## How spreadsheet columns relate after collection

| Spreadsheet column group    | In Nectar                                   | Notes                                                                                                                 |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Building or address columns | [Site](/docs/platform/glossary#site)             | Import first. Standardize addresses before load.                                                                      |
| Utility account number      | [Account](/docs/platform/glossary#account)       | Created when a connection collects or you confirm accounts — not spreadsheet-imported.                                |
| Meter ID or service point   | [Meter](/docs/platform/glossary#meter)           | Created from collected bills and matching — not spreadsheet-imported.                                                 |
| Billing period + charges    | [Bill](/docs/platform/glossary#bill)             | Collect via connections, [uploads](/docs/platform/data-input/uploads), or [invitations](/docs/platform/data-input/invitations). |
| Usage and demand            | [Usage data](/docs/platform/glossary#usage-data) | Arrives on collected, uploaded, or manually entered bills.                                                            |

You work inside an existing [company](/docs/platform/glossary#company). Companies are not customer-imported from a spreadsheet.

## Recommended migration plan

<Steps>
  <Step title="Audit your source spreadsheets">
    Identify canonical files, remove duplicates, and define the authoritative columns for each utility type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import sites">
    Download the site template, map columns, and bulk-import sites. Optionally import custom variable values onto those sites.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Bulk-create connections">
    Use the connection bulk import to create online and email connections tied to your sites. Set each connection's [collection start date](/docs/platform/glossary#collection-start-date) so Nectar pulls the historical window you need.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Collect historical and ongoing bills">
    Bills arrive through connection collection, [uploads](/docs/platform/data-input/uploads), [invitations](/docs/platform/data-input/invitations), or [manual entry](/docs/platform/data-input/manual-entry). There is no self-serve historical-bill spreadsheet import. Nectar can help migrate history when that is part of your onboarding.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Replace manual spreadsheet collection">
    Shift future intake to [connections](/docs/platform/data-input/connections), uploads, or invitations, and monitor [Completeness](/docs/platform/data-quality/overview) and [Issues](/docs/platform/data-quality/issues).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What improves in Nectar

* One governed dataset instead of versioned spreadsheet files
* Structured QA through Completeness and Issues
* Role-based access and repeatable [exports](/docs/platform/data-export/overview)
* Automated collection plus portfolio [analytics](/docs/platform/analytics/overview)

## Nectar support during migration

Email [support@nectarclimate.com](mailto:support@nectarclimate.com) if you need help mapping source files, validating a pilot set of sites, or migrating historical bills beyond self-serve import.