Use Import / Export items to download item configuration, prepare a bulk-edit template, and import multiple items into one instance from a CSV file.

This tool works with item configuration such as names, addresses, read settings, logging settings, templates, and Connector-specific fields. It does not import or export stored historical values.

Before you begin

• Open the destination instance and confirm that it uses the required Connector.
• Download the item template from the destination instance. Item fields differ between Connectors.
• Use a semicolon-separated CSV file. Comma-separated files are rejected.
• Export the current items before making a large bulk change.
• Check that the license has capacity for any new items.

Open the item import and export tools

1. In the sidebar, expand Instances.
2. Open All instances or the relevant instance category.
3. Open the instance you want to work with.
4. Open its items view.
5. Select Import / Export items.

The dialog provides three actions:

Download an item template

1. Open Import / Export items.
2. Under Item template, select Template.
3. Wait while the button displays Downloading....
4. Confirm that Item template downloaded successfully. appears.
5. Open the downloaded CSV file and keep the header row unchanged.

The fallback filename uses this format:

instance_name_item_template.csv

Use the template when creating items in bulk. Add one item per row below the header.

Export configured items

1. Open Import / Export items.
2. Under Export items, select Export all.
3. Wait while the button displays Exporting....
4. Confirm that Items exported successfully. appears.
5. Store the downloaded CSV as a backup or use it as the starting point for bulk edits.

The fallback filename uses this format:

instance_name_items_export.csv

Export all exports the item configuration for the current instance. It does not export items from other instances.

Prepare the CSV file

Keep the file structure compatible with the selected Connector:

• Use the first row as the header.
• Keep the original column names and their order.
• Separate columns with a semicolon character: ;
• Use one item per row.
• Keep the same number of columns in every row.
• Save the file with the .csv extension.
• Preserve values containing semicolons, quotation marks, or line breaks as correctly quoted CSV cells.

Spreadsheet applications can change the separator to a comma when saving. Check the saved file in a text editor and confirm that the header and data rows use semicolons.

A file containing only the header can pass the initial validation, but it can import zero items.

Import item configuration

1. Open Import / Export items on the destination instance.
2. Under Import items, select Import items.
3. Choose the prepared .csv file.
4. Review the filename and any warning in the Import items confirmation.
5. Select Import.
6. Keep the dialog open while it displays Importing....
7. Wait for All items imported to the instance.
8. Review the item list and confirm that every expected row was applied.

After a successful import, the Edge Portal refreshes the instance, item list, and latest item values.

Understand how imported rows are handled

The available columns and backend import behavior depend on the Connector. The exported items file from the destination is the safest basis for an update.

For the OPC UA Server Connector, the current Edge Portal applies these rules:

• An existing item is matched by UID first and then by name.
• A matching item is updated.
• A row with no matching item creates a new item.
• A row without an item name is skipped.
• A row whose number of columns does not match the header is skipped.
• The columns id, device, last_error, mappings, mapping, postscript_error, and prescript_error are ignored.

For OPC UA Server numeric fields, an empty or invalid numeric value becomes 0. Boolean fields accept 1, true, yes, or on as enabled. They accept 0, false, no, off, or an empty value as disabled.

Verify imported items

1. Compare the displayed item count with the number of data rows in the CSV.
2. Search for several imported item names.
3. Open a new item and confirm its address and Connector-specific parameters.
4. Open an updated item and confirm that the intended fields changed.
5. Check that enabled items receive new values or timestamps.
6. Review active warnings and item event history.
7. Confirm that the licensed item capacity has not been exceeded.

If an item is created but cannot communicate, correct it using the normal item editor or Setup view.

Do not confuse item configuration with data-value export

Import / Export items works with item definitions and settings. The separate Export data values action works with stored values.

Troubleshoot template and item export errors

Troubleshoot item import errors

Related articles

• Create and edit items
• Export item data values
• Create and edit instances
• Install and manage Connectors
• Troubleshoot Connector, instance, item, and mapping errors