Data Import Overview
How CSV upload brings historical activity and setup information into Nabu when no direct integration is available, and how it differs from a sync.
Three ways to get data into Nabu
Nabu needs data to work — appointment records, services, providers, costs, and sales history. There are three ways to bring that data in:
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Direct API connection — Nabu connects to your booking software and pulls data automatically. Currently supported: Zenoti. When the connection is active, data syncs without any manual work on your end.
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Export bucket — Zenoti can write scheduled data exports into secure cloud storage, and Nabu reads them from there. Same automatic result as the API, for accounts where API access is not available. See Zenoti export bucket.
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CSV import — You export data from your software as a spreadsheet file and upload it to Nabu. This section covers CSV import.
All three get you to the same result: complete financial dashboards with accurate numbers. The first two handle ongoing syncing on their own; CSV import is a manual process you control.
What CSV import is used for
CSV import covers three main scenarios:
Bulk-loading setup data. If you have 30 services, 10 providers, and a list of supplies, entering them one by one would take hours. CSV import lets you fill out a spreadsheet and upload everything at once. Every setup section — Services, Providers, Supplies, Equipment, Business Costs — has a CSV import option.
Historical data migration. If your booking software doesn't have a direct API connection, you can export your visit and sales history as CSV files and upload them to Nabu. This gives Nabu the historical data it needs to calculate trends and populate your financial dashboards.
Switching from another system. If you're moving from one platform to another, CSV import is how you bring your historical records into Nabu rather than starting from zero.
CSV vs. manual entry: which to use
| Situation | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| 10 or more items to enter | CSV import |
| Fewer than 10 items, or a few edits | Manual entry |
| One-time data migration | CSV import |
| Correcting a single field | Manual entry |
Manual entry is faster for small quantities. CSV is faster for anything that would take more than a few minutes to enter by hand.
Where to find the import option
CSV import is available in every setup section. Look for the Import button at the top of the section page. If you don't see it, check that you're inside the Setup area (not the main dashboard).
Start with CSV Templates →
Troubleshooting
The Growth questions that come up most often and what is actually going on behind them. Most of what looks like a bug is a deliberate limit.
CSV Templates
How to download Nabu's CSV template for each setup section, fill it in without breaking the headers, and upload it. Never build a file from scratch.