# Easy ways to mass import tags **URL:** \ **Category:** Ignition\ **Created:** [January 14, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/easy-ways-to-mass-import-tags/100888 "2025-01-14T20:09:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Allison\_Manhard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Allison\_Manhard](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Allison_Manhard)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/easy-ways-to-mass-import-tags/100888/1 "2025-01-14T20:09:42Z")
I'm relatively new at ignition and I'm struggling with the importing and exporting tags. Generally, I have a large number of tags from different devices (all modbus), that follow a standard format, but I'm struggling with how to create and manage these effectively, the only option ignition gives for import/export is xml/json. I would really like to be able to do all of my tag mapping in excel without having to create and maintain vba scripts for creating tags. How is this typically managed? Does everyone just create their own custom scripts for creating the tags? ---
**Author:** ![josborn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@josborn](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/josborn)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/easy-ways-to-mass-import-tags/100888/2 "2025-01-14T20:16:00Z")
You can still do a csv import, but you will need need to format it like shown here: > **[Exporting and Importing Tags | Ignition User Manual](https://docs.inductiveautomation.com/docs/8.1/platform/tags/exporting-and-importing-tags#csv-format)** > > Ignition can export and import tag configurations to and from the JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. You can import XML (Extensible Markup Language) or CSV (Comma Separated Value) file formats as well, but Ignition will convert them to JSON... If your tags follow a standard formatting and addressing you may consider defining some UDT's. ---
**Author:** ![jlandwerlen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@jlandwerlen](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/jlandwerlen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/easy-ways-to-mass-import-tags/100888/3 "2025-01-14T20:17:05Z")
Try Phil's tool, > [@Spreadsheet Import Tool](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/spreadsheet-import-tool/93500): > > Now [in the Ignition Exchange](https://inductiveautomation.com/exchange/2660/overview). While waiting on IA review, i Interested parties can also get this here: [https://www.automation-pros.com/SpreadsheetImportTool/](https://www.automation-pros.com/SpreadsheetImportTool/) I intend to publish at this link as well as in the Exchange going forward. Announcements will be in this topic. (: ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Laubach](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/steve_laubach/32/60900_2.png) [@Steve\_Laubach](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Steve_Laubach)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/easy-ways-to-mass-import-tags/100888/4 "2025-01-14T20:22:13Z")
I prefer to import tags as json without using a file import. You can create some sample tags and copy/paste them into a text editor to get the format. Then I use perspective to bind a custom property to a data source that contains my tags and do a script transform on that to make the JSON. This will return a bunch of stuff into the property the binding is on. You can copy/paste from that right into your tag database. It's amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Allison\_Manhard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Allison\_Manhard](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Allison_Manhard)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/easy-ways-to-mass-import-tags/100888/5 "2025-01-14T20:23:20Z")
I am using UDTs actually - but a lot of my tags are going through a PLC, and so while the order of the variables is the same, the exact address is different for everything inside the UDT. Manually editing each one seems like a pain, will check out Phils tool and see if I can use it ---
**Author:** ![Allison\_Manhard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Allison\_Manhard](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Allison_Manhard)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/easy-ways-to-mass-import-tags/100888/6 "2025-01-14T20:25:12Z")
awesome thanks! I will check it out