The CSV file format #
The Menu Guide CSV allergen content template file is a standard, comma separated values (CSV) file.
Comma separated values files are used in computing to display information in table format and can easily be imported into software like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Openoffice Calc and similar programs.
Existing menus on your account can also be exported in this format from the ‘My Menus‘ section. Up to 300 menu items can be imported at a time via this method.
The Menu Guide CSV Allergen Content Template File #
The Menu Guide CSV allergen content template file is a UTF-8 encoded, comma separated values file comprised of the columns in the table at the end of this page.
The columns can appear in any order in the file. When the file is imported into Menu Guide you will be asked to map the columns to Menu Guide’s fields.
Only ‘item-name’ is a required value – all other columns are optional.
Top tips for uploading CSV files #
- Your file must be saved as a utf-8 encoded .csv file without any header rows above the item columns.
- When uploading your .csv file, you’ll be asked to map columns from the .csv file to Menu Guide fields. Take care when doing this to make sure that you’ve correctly mapped the uploaded .csv column labels to Menu Guide’s allergen and dietary option fields (see below).
- Any duplicated Menu Guide Fields will be highlighted in red so that you can change them. Each field must appear only once in the right hand list.
- Once you’ve mapped the fields, click ‘Map Fields’. You also have the option to save your mappings for future menu uploads using the checkbox.
- You will be prompted to check your mappings before confirming that you are ready for your new menu to be created from the information in the .csv file.
- If you’re editing an existing menu you’ll be asked whether you want to overwrite the existing menu or append the .csv menu information.
Menu Guide CSV Allergen Content Template File Columns #
| Field | What is it? | Max characters/format | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Item info | |||
| item-name | Name of menu item | 500 | Yes |
| item-description | Description. of menu item | 500 | no |
| item-price | Price of menu item | 10 | no |
| item-energy | Calorific value of menu item | 5 (numeric) | no |
| is-header | Is the row a header? | n/a (true or false) | no (default is false) |
| ingredients | list of item’s ingredients | 4000 | no |
| celery | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| crustaceans | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| eggs | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| fish | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| gluten (sub-types UK Only) | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “wheat”, “barley”, “rye”, “oats”,”kamut”,”spelt”, “trace”, “may contain”)
To add may contain or trace sub types use the following format: |
no (default is empty) |
| lupin | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| milk | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| molluscs | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| mustard | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| tree nuts (sub-types UK only) | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “almond”, “brazil”, “cashew”, “hazelnut”, “macadamia”, “pecan”, “pistachio”, “walnut”, “trace”, “may contain”)
To add may contain or trace sub types use the following format: |
no (default is empty) |
| peanut | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| sesame | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| soya | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| sulphites | allergen item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty or “trace”, “may contain”) | no (default is empty) |
| dairy-free | option item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty) | no |
| dairy-free-ask | option item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty) | no |
| gluten-free | option item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty) | no |
| gluten-free-ask | option item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty) | no |
| vegan | option item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty) | no |
| vegetarian | option item | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty) | no |
| Custom Icons | |||
| custom-icon | field(s) for custom icons if applicable | n/a (‘x’ or leave empty) | no |
