# Import and Export Credentials with CSV

Users and their corresponding access credentials live in [Verkada Command](/command/getting-started/get-started-with-verkada-command.md). [Access Control Managers](/access-control/getting-started/roles-and-permissions-for-access-control.md) and Admins can import credentials into Command in bulk with an uploaded .csv \[or comma-separated value (CSV)] file, or export credentials from Command to a downloaded .csv file. Learn more about [Roles and Permissions for Access Control](/access-control/getting-started/roles-and-permissions-for-access-control.md).

{% hint style="warning" %}
Through the [User Import flow](/access-control/users-and-credentials/add-a-user-to-the-verkada-access-system/import-access-control-users-csv.md), you can still import a single card credential per user as well as a license plate and entry code. To import more credentials, please use the import credential flow as described below.
{% endhint %}

***

## Import credential details and associated access user

When [Access Control Managers](/access-control/getting-started/roles-and-permissions-for-access-control.md) and Admins import credentials into Command in bulk with an uploaded .csv file, the file must contain a row for each credential to be imported, including the credential details and the access user that the credential should be associated with.

{% hint style="warning" %}
You can create new credentials or modify existing credentials for users who already exist in Command. To create new access users in Command, use [bulk access user import](/access-control/users-and-credentials/add-a-user-to-the-verkada-access-system/import-access-control-users-csv.md).
{% endhint %}

### Format your .csv file

To achieve a successful import, we highly recommend that your .csv file **match the required format** below:

* The file should be a .csv file with UTF-8 encoding.
* The file size should not exceed 250,000 rows.
* Credentials are matched to existing users in Command, so you *cannot* create a user during the credential import process.
* One "key" column should be included in the import to map the user to an already existing user in Command. There are 3 "key" columns in hierarchical order:
  * User ID
  * External ID
  * Email Address
* The import file CSV column headers should match the expected column headers, as defined in [column headers](#h_f385fad83f) below.
* Each row should contain a single unique credential. Avoid importing multiple credentials per row.

### Import credentials

Once you have formatted your file, you can import the credentials:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**On the left navigation, click Access Users and Groups .**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**At the top right, click the Import dropdown and select Import Credentials.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**When you enter the credential information, the Card Type should match the list of** [**supported card types**](https://docs.verkada.com/docs/access-control-supported-card-formats-datasheet.pdf)**, as listed under Accepted Formats.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**On Import Credentials, you can download a template that includes formatted** [**column headers**](#h_f385fad83f) **and sample credential rows.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Drag and drop or upload the formatted .csv file for import.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**(Optional) Choose to reassign credentials. An already-existing credential from Command is then reassigned to match the CSV file input.**

a. If you choose not to reassign a credential, the row shows an error if a duplicate credential is found (already assigned to an existing user).\
b. Only reassign credentials if you want your CSV file to be the source of truth.\
c. Click **Import Credentials.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Under Review Columns:**

a. If any errors are recognized in the columns, this page prompts you to review your file and fix the errors.\
b. Fix errors and re-upload the .csv file.\
c. Click **Next**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Under Review Rows:**

a. If any errors are recognized in the rows, this page prompts you to review your file and fix the errors.\
b. Fix errors and re-upload the .csv file.\
c. Click **Next**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Click Proceed with Import if no errors exist on the rows or columns. If you choose to ignore the review suggestions, the rows fail on the import.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**After the import is complete:**

a. You should receive an **email** confirmation on the number of rows that passed and the number of rows that failed.\
b. You should receive a .csv file of the failed rows with a reason for the failure.\
c. Fix the failed rows and re-import these credentials to successfully import all desired credentials.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## Export users and their corresponding credentials

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**On the left navigation, click Access Users and Groups .**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**At the top right, click Export and select Export Credentials.**
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

A .csv file should export immediately where you can find it in your designated **Downloads** folder.

### Column headers for your file

Your .csv file contains the following credentials:

|                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **User Credential**   | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| **First Name**        | First name in Command.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Last Name**         | Last name in Command.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **User ID**           | Verkada-managed unique ID associated with the user.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| **External ID**       | Customer-managed unique ID associated with the user.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Employee ID**       | <p>Customer-managed ID associated with the user.</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Employee ID uniqueness is not enforced.</p>                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Email**             | Email address associated with the user.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Card Type**         | Card type associated with the user. See [supported card formats](https://docs.verkada.com/docs/access-control-supported-card-formats-datasheet.pdf).                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Facility Code**     | Facility code associated with the credential (if applicable).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Card Number**       | Numeric card number associated with the credential (if applicable).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| **Card Number Hex**   | Hexadecimal card number associated with the credential (if applicable).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **License Plate**     | User license plate number (if applicable) is also listed as a credential for the user.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Entry Code**        | Unique access entry code (if applicable) is also listed as a credential for the user.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **Credential Status** | <p>Verkada has introduced a <strong>Credential Status</strong> column.</p><p>If the credential is currently associated with a user, it is marked as an <strong>active</strong> credential.</p><p>If the credential is suspended, it is marked as <strong>inactive</strong>.</p><p>If a user is suspended, the credential is still active.</p> |
| **Modified**          | Shows the date and time the credential was last updated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

***

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prefer to see it in action?** Check out the [video tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r7YcbrnGZY).
{% endhint %}


---

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