Importing tasks into Productive makes managing your projects faster and more organized.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to import tasks successfully: from using the import feature to handling any errors that may arise.
📌 Alongside tasks, you can also import contacts, companies, absence allocations, expenses, rate cards, absence bookings, users, and time entries — all using CSV templates.
Here are three prerequisites before you start the import:
Make sure you're inside a specific project and viewing its tasks tab — not the full list of tasks across your organization under Project Management > Tasks.
Set the grouping option to Task list.
Make sure to select either the Board or List layout — importing tasks is only available in those two layouts.
Importing Tasks
Navigate to the task list’s three-dot menu. From there, select “Import tasks from CSV”.
Downloading and Filling Out the Template
Once you've initiated the import process, you'll be prompted to download the CSV template and enter the relevant task information.
📌 Refrain from deleting any columns in the template, as this could cause the document to be unrecognized by the importer.
The CSV template contains six columns (only the title is obligatory!):
Title | Provide a descriptive title for the task. |
Assignee | Specify the email address of the individual responsible for the task. |
Description | Include a brief overview or details about the task. |
Due Date | Indicate the deadline or due date for the task. The date format is YYYY-MM-DD. |
Initial Estimate | Estimate the initial time required to complete the task, measured in minutes. |
Workflow Status | Choose between "Open" or "Closed" if you haven't customized your task workflow. |
Uploading the Template and Fixing Errors
After filling out the template, drag and drop it into the upload box or manually upload the document.
Productive will automatically check for errors during the upload process. If any errors are detected, you'll be able to identify and address them promptly.
For example, if an error arises due to an unrecognized assignee email, you can update the email in the CSV file or edit the information directly from the pop-up screen using inline editing.
Any data marked with the warning symbol (⚠️) in the upload contains an error.
Hovering over these symbols will reveal specific problem areas.
Completing the Import
Once all errors have been resolved, proceed with the import by clicking "Proceed to import" and then "Import" on the subsequent screen.
Useful Tips
Only the task title information is obligatory when filling out the CSV, meaning you can leave fields such as due date, initial estimate, and assignee blank if they're not needed for a task or if you want to modify them at a later date.
When specifying initial estimates, remember that values should be entered in minutes. For instance, if you wish to set the estimate to 1 hour and 20 minutes, input "80".
Ensure that the date format in the CSV file is YYYY-MM-DD (or YYYY-M-D) to avoid parsing errors during the import.
Do not delete or remove any columns from the CSV file template. If certain fields are not applicable, such as a description, simply leave those columns empty without deleting them. Maintaining the integrity of the template structure ensures smooth data import processes!
Take advantage of the inline editing feature to fix any errors in the imported file efficiently.
