---
title: "Import category data via an Excel file"
slug: "how-can-i-import-data-via-excel-file"
updated: 2026-01-22T15:58:26Z
published: 2026-01-22T15:58:26Z
canonical: "docs.mapp.com/how-can-i-import-data-via-excel-file"
---

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

# Import category data via an Excel file

## Goal

Use categories to import static information for existing data objects using an Excel file.

---

## What can you use category imports for?

Category imports are used to enrich existing data with **static, descriptive information**.

They help structure and classify data for analysis without changing tracking behavior.

| **You can add information to…** | **Typical use case** | **Example** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Pages** | Group and structure website content | Assign main and sub areas to pages (content groups) |
| **Visitors** | Enrich user data with static attributes | Import customer attributes from a CRM |
| **Campaigns** | Classify and enrich marketing campaigns | Add campaign channel or cost information |
| **Media** | Categorize media content | Assign media types or formats |
| **Products** | Classify products for analysis | Add product ranges or categories |
| **Time-based data** | Import numeric values with a time reference | Import daily target values or KPIs |

Each category stores **one static value per object**.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> This article does **not** cover campaign category imports. Campaign categories can be imported via Excel, but follow a different technical setup.
> 
> For details, see [Setting up Campaigns](/v1/docs/setting-up-campaigns)*.*

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## Prerequisites

- You have access to **Mapp Q3** with permission to configure categories.
- The category is already configured.
- The data objects you want to enrich already exist in the system.

---

## Procedure

1. In **Mapp Q3**, go to *Configuration > Categories*.
2. Select the category you want to populate.
3. Click the **Import/Export** icon for that category. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/554b9b98-6720-4d8b-9919-c7b203d72648/Images/Documentation/940b3e74-990d-46ba-a20d-bdf673bb764a.png)
4. Select **Export** to download the Excel file.
5. Open the exported Excel file.
6. Enter the category values for the existing objects.
7. Save the Excel file.
8. Return to the **Import/Export** dialog.
9. Switch to the **Import** tab and upload the updated Excel file.

---

## Result

The imported category values are applied during the next account update (usually within one hour).nYou can monitor the import status and review any errors under **Show Current Imports**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/554b9b98-6720-4d8b-9919-c7b203d72648/Images/Documentation/6cdb1469-0e4f-44f3-9a09-199ba55c9dd1.png)

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## Best Practices

- Use category imports only for **static information**.
- For changing or visit-based data, use parameters instead of categories.
- Validate the Excel file before importing to avoid incomplete assignments.

## Related

- [How to set up categories](/how-to-set-up-categories.md)