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This guide covers how to export your inventory data for backup or sharing purposes, and how to import data back into MovingBox.

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Understanding Import & Export

MovingBox’s import/export feature allows you to:
  • Create backups of your entire inventory including photos
  • Transfer data between devices or to other applications
  • Share inventory lists with moving companies, insurance providers, or family members
  • Selectively export specific items for focused reports

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Export Format

When you export data, MovingBox creates a ZIP archive containing:
  • inventory.csv - Your items with all properties (title, description, quantity, price, serial numbers, etc.)
  • locations.csv - All your locations with descriptions
  • labels.csv - All your labels with colors and emojis
  • photos/ folder - All photos associated with your items and locations
Exports are in standard CSV format, making them compatible with spreadsheet applications like Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers.

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Sample Export File

Want to see what a MovingBox export looks like? Download our example file to explore the format:

Download Sample Export

Download an example MovingBox export ZIP file containing sample inventory data, locations, labels, and photos

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Exporting Your Data

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Exporting All Inventory

1

Open Settings

Navigate to the Settings tab from the bottom navigation bar
2

Select Export Data

Scroll down and tap “Export Data” in the Data Management section
3

Choose What to Export

Select which types of data to include in your export:
  • Export Items - Include all your inventory items
  • Export Locations - Include all locations
  • Export Labels - Include all labels
Toggle on only what you need. For example, if you only want to share your items list without locations, turn off “Export Locations” and “Export Labels”
4

Start Export

Tap the green “Export Data” button to begin the export process
5

Share or Save

Once the export is complete, use the share sheet to:
  • Save to Files app for local backup
  • Upload to cloud storage (iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
  • Email to yourself or others
  • Share via AirDrop

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Exporting Selected Items

You can export specific items directly from your inventory list:
1

Open Inventory List

Navigate to your items list view
2

Enter Selection Mode

Tap the selection icon (circle with checkmark) in the toolbar to enable multi-select mode
3

Select Items

Tap on each item you want to export to select them
4

Export Selection

Tap the export button in the toolbar to create a ZIP file containing only the selected items
When exporting selected items, all locations and labels are included to maintain data relationships
5

Share Your Export

Use the share sheet to save or send your selective export

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Importing Data

The import process does not check for duplicates. Importing the same file multiple times will create duplicate items, locations, and labels in your inventory.

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Importing from a Backup

1

Open Settings

Navigate to the Settings tab from the bottom navigation bar
2

Select Import Data

Scroll down and tap “Import Data” in the Data Management section
3

Choose What to Import

Select which types of data to import:
  • Import Items - Restore your inventory items
  • Import Locations - Restore locations
  • Import Labels - Restore labels
If you only want to import locations from another inventory without adding the items, toggle off “Import Items” and keep only “Import Locations” enabled
4

Review Warning

Read the duplicate data warning carefully and tap “Continue” if you’re ready to proceed
5

Select ZIP File

Choose the MovingBox export ZIP file from your device:
  • Files app
  • iCloud Drive
  • Downloads folder
  • Any other accessible location
6

Monitor Progress

The import process will show progress as it:
  • Extracts the ZIP file
  • Imports locations and labels first
  • Imports items with their relationships
  • Copies photos to your device
7

Review Results

When complete, you’ll see a summary showing:
  • Number of items imported
  • Number of locations imported
  • Number of labels imported

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Best Practices

Export your inventory regularly, especially:
  • After adding many new items
  • Before major updates to the app
  • Before switching devices
  • At least monthly for peace of mind
Store backups in multiple locations (cloud storage + local) for redundancy.
Name your export files descriptively with dates:
  • MovingBox-Full-Backup-2025-01-15.zip
  • MovingBox-Garage-Items-2025-01-15.zip
The app automatically includes timestamps, but you can rename files after exporting.
Since imports don’t check for duplicates:
  • Keep track of what you’ve already imported
  • Delete old data before re-importing if needed
  • Use selective exports to avoid importing everything multiple times
  • Consider creating a test inventory to preview imports
When sharing inventory data:
  • Export only what’s necessary (use toggles to exclude sensitive data)
  • Remove personal notes or sensitive information before exporting if needed
  • Remember that photos are included in exports
  • Consider selective exports for sharing specific rooms or categories

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Compatibility & Limitations

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What Can Be Imported

MovingBox can only import CSV files that were previously exported from MovingBox. The import feature is designed for:
  • Restoring your own backups
  • Transferring data between your devices
  • Importing data you’ve previously exported

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What Cannot Be Imported

  • Generic CSV files from other applications
  • Spreadsheets created manually
  • Exports from other inventory apps
  • Modified CSV files (editing exported files may cause import errors)
If you need to import data from another source, export a sample from MovingBox first to understand the required CSV format, then format your external data to match.

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Troubleshooting

If your import fails or doesn’t complete:
  • Check file size: Very large exports may take time to process
  • Verify the file: Ensure the ZIP file isn’t corrupted
  • Check available storage: Make sure you have enough space for photos
  • Try selective import: Import data types separately (locations first, then items)
  • Cancel and retry: Use the cancel button and try again
If photos are missing after import:
  • Verify photos were in the original export’s photos/ folder
  • Check that the ZIP file structure is intact
  • Ensure photo filenames match the CSV references
  • Confirm you have storage space available
If you can’t open or import your export:
  • Make sure the file has .zip extension
  • Verify file permissions if stored in cloud storage
  • Try downloading to local storage first
  • Check that the file isn’t still being synced or uploaded
If you can’t start an export:
  • Ensure at least one export option is enabled (Items, Locations, or Labels)
  • Check that you have data to export (can’t export empty inventory)
  • Make sure another export isn’t already in progress

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Use Cases

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Moving to a New Home

  1. Export your full inventory before the move
  2. Share with moving company for estimates
  3. Use during packing to verify everything is accounted for
  4. Import on your new device after the move

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Insurance Documentation

  1. Export full inventory with all photos
  2. Save to secure cloud storage
  3. Share with insurance provider as needed
  4. Update and re-export when adding valuable items

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Device Transfer

  1. Export from old device
  2. Install MovingBox on new device
  3. Import the backup
  4. Verify all data transferred correctly

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Sharing with Family

  1. Use selective export for specific rooms or categories
  2. Share ZIP file via AirDrop or email
  3. Family members can import into their own MovingBox app
  4. Maintain separate inventories while sharing common data
Need help with import/export issues? Visit our support page for additional assistance.