> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.visotrust.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Bulk import vendor relationships from CSV
> Use CSV bulk import in VISO TRUST to add many vendor relationships at once, with templates for new relationships or migrating existing assessment data.
**Bulk Import** lets you create a large number of relationships at once — instead of adding each vendor through the relationship wizard individually. You can also import existing relationships with prior assessment data preserved.
## Choosing a Template
From **Settings → Import Relationships**, download one of two CSV templates:
| Template | Use when |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **New Relationship** | You haven't assessed these vendors in VISO TRUST before. Excludes legacy assessment fields. |
| **Existing Relationship** | You've already assessed these vendors elsewhere and want to preserve prior assessment data. Includes additional legacy assessment fields. |
The downloaded template includes one example row. Delete it before adding your own data.
## Upload Rules
Before uploading your CSV, review these requirements:
* Do **not** modify, rearrange, or delete column headers — the importer matches columns by exact header text (including the `(Required)` / `(Optional)` marker)
* Complete every column marked **(Required)**
* Paste values only — formulas are not supported
* **Business Unit** values are matched case-insensitively and must either match an existing Business Unit in your org or be spelled consistently throughout the file (VISO TRUST will create it on import)
* All Yes/No columns accept `Yes`, `No`, or blank — blank is treated as `No`
## Column Reference
Both templates share a common set of columns. The **Existing Relationship** template adds the legacy assessment columns described below. Header text includes a `(Required)` or `(Optional)` marker — leave it exactly as generated.
### Relationship & Contact Columns
| Column header | Description | Required? |
| ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- |
| Client Username | Email of the VISO TRUST user creating the relationship. Must be an existing user in your org. | Required |
| External ID | Reference ID from your own system (e.g., GRC tool) | Optional |
| Vendor Name | Legal or commonly used name of the third party | Required |
| Vendor Description | Short description of the product, service, or relationship purpose | Optional |
| Vendor Website | Vendor's primary URL | Required |
| Vendor Industry | Industry classification | Optional |
| Product/Service | Name of the specific product or service the vendor provides. Matched case-insensitively against existing products for that vendor in your org; a new product is created if none matches. Maximum 255 characters. | Optional |
| Business Owner Email Address | Email of the internal Business Owner | Required |
| Business Owner First Name | Business Owner's first name | Required |
| Business Owner Last Name | Business Owner's last name | Required |
| Business Owner Business Unit | Department the Business Owner belongs to (e.g., Engineering, IT, InfoSec) | Required |
| Assessment Lead Email Address | Email of the internal Assessment Lead | Optional |
| Assessment Lead First Name | Assessment Lead's first name | Optional |
| Assessment Lead Last Name | Assessment Lead's last name | Optional |
| Assessment Lead Business Unit | Department the Assessment Lead belongs to | Optional |
| Primary Third Party Contact Email Address | Vendor-side primary contact email | Optional |
| Primary Third Party Contact First Name | Vendor-side contact first name | Optional |
| Primary Third Party Contact Last Name | Vendor-side contact last name | Optional |
| Tag(s) | Comma-separated list of tags to apply | Optional |
| Tier | Vendor tier (1–5) | Optional |
### Data Type Columns
The template includes one **`Data Type - `** column for every data type your organization tracks (for example, `Data Type - PCI (Payment Card Industry) Data`). Enter `Yes`, `No`, or leave blank for each.
### Business Context Columns
The template also includes one Yes/No column for each intake (business context) question configured for your organization. Together with data types, these determine the business cases and controls brought into scope.
### Legacy Assessment Columns
The **Existing Relationship** template adds the following columns to preserve prior assessment data (all required in that template):
* (Legacy) Assessment Start Date
* (Legacy) Assessment Completion Date
* (Legacy) Assessment Review Frequency
* (Legacy) Assessment Recertification Type
* (Legacy) Automatic Artifact Updates
* (Legacy) Assessment Inherent Risk
* (Legacy) Assessment Residual Risk
## After Import
Once uploaded, VISO TRUST validates the file and reports any errors before creating relationships. Fix any flagged rows and re-upload if needed.
If **Instant Assessment** is enabled at the organization level, newly imported relationships will automatically be assessed using publicly available data.
For large imports, start with a small test batch (10–20 rows) to validate your column formatting before uploading your full list.