--- title: Import and export associations description: ParagonERP allows you to import and export associations that are used to link different pieces of information throughout the system. --- [Skip to content](https://support.paragon-erp.com/import-and-export-associations#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![paragon logo-1.png\]](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/paragon%20logo-1.png?width=240&height=75&name=paragon%20logo-1.png)](https://support.paragon-erp.com/?hsLang=en) - [New Ticket](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1PiwaZCxTRpabuHVnQxGeXQc751y) - [Tickets](https://help.paragon-erp.com/tickets) - [Knowledge Base](https://support.paragon-erp.com/) - [Sign out](https://20488534.hs-sites.com/_hcms/mem/logout) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [New Ticket](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1PiwaZCxTRpabuHVnQxGeXQc751y) - [Tickets](https://help.paragon-erp.com/tickets) - [Knowledge Base](https://support.paragon-erp.com/) - [Sign out](https://20488534.hs-sites.com/_hcms/mem/logout) - English Show submenu for translations - [Go to website](https://www.paragon-erp.com/) [Go to website](https://www.paragon-erp.com/?hsLang=en) Welcome! Search our Knowledge Base. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [ParagonERP](https://support.paragon-erp.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Configuring Paragon](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en) 3. [Associations](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#associations) September 21, 2026 # Import and export associations ### **Introduction** ParagonERP allows you to import and export [associations](https://support.paragon-erp.com/what-are-associations?hsLang=en) that are used to link different pieces of information throughout the system. This can be useful when you want to add an association for multiple items at once. ### **Step-by-step instructions:** - #### **Step 1: Export the association file** From any screen click on the **settings** button at the top right corner. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-27-7305-PM-1-1-3-1.png) Go to the **reports & data** system card and click **export**. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Export%20from%20settings-jpg-4.jpeg?width=670&height=309&name=Export%20from%20settings-jpg-4.jpeg)   **Select association from the drop list.** ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-35-0441-PM-1-1-3-1.bmp) Click **export** and the file will download. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-33-2463-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   **Edit the file** You will now be able to open and edit the exported file. Here is a sample:  ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-30-8503-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   All of the attributes that are currently in the system are listed as columns in the exported file. You can navigate to the right of the file to explore the attribute values related to a specific association. As an example, in the sample file above, you can see all of the *purchase costs* for materials and products that are associated with certain vendors. Material *BLU\_BATT* from vendor *Motherboard Central* has a purchase cost of *$15*.   #### **Hide attributes not in use when exporting associations** [Associations](https://support.paragon-erp.com/what-are-associations?hsLang=en) allow you to create relationships within the information in ParagonERP. For example, you can use the sales price to create an association between customers and products (this is a price list). Using the [data import/export feature](https://support.paragon-erp.com/importing-exporting-or-transferring-my-data?hsLang=en), you can do mass updates and entries of all of these associations. Since an association can be created using any [attribute](https://support.paragon-erp.com/what-are-attributes-and-attribute-values?hsLang=en) in the system, the export includes all attributes (even ones that were created but then abandoned). With virtually unlimited attributes in the system, this spreadsheet can be very overwhelming. For this reason, we added the option to exclude any unused attributes from this export.  ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-29-0891-PM-1-1-3-1.bmp)       - #### **Step 2: Import the association file** After you have made adjustments to your **association** file, it can be saved and imported into the system. Make sure that your file is correctly formatted before uploading. From any screen click the **settings** button at the top right corner. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-37-2054-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   Go to to **reports & data** system card and select **import.** **![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Import%20from%20settings-jpg-2.jpeg?width=670&height=301&name=Import%20from%20settings-jpg-2.jpeg)**   Select **association** from the drop list. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-33-7730-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   Click the option to **select a file** and choose the file you want to import and click **upload**. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-31-7444-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   Once the file has been successfully uploaded, you will be notified. If there are any errors with importing, you will see the reasons in an error log, which will display on screen. You will be able [edit your file.](https://support.paragon-erp.com/importing-exporting-or-transferring-my-data?hsLang=en) Click **done** when the file has finished importing. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-29-8174-PM-1-1-3-1.png) The **associations** in the system will now be updated based on the file that was just uploaded. #### **Adding new and updating existing associations** The import tool can be used for both adding new associations, or to update existing ones. The difference between both of those functionalities depends on the value in the **line number** column in the imported excel file. A line number is added to all associations in the system, and is based on the parent of the association. In the example below, the product LMI\_DRN has 4 associations with vendors and customers. All of those associations have a line number related to them. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-01-35-6882-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   If you wish to update an existing association, simply keep the same line number as the one that the system assigned to this association. You can edit any of the columns except the **from** and **fromID**. If you wish to create a new association, create a new line and *do not fill* the **line number** column. At the time of the import, the system will recognize that this is a new association and will automatically assign it a new line number. Finally, note that this line number cannot be viewed within ParagonERP. It can only be viewed when exporting or importing the file.   ### **Related articles** You've learned how to use the associations export and import tools.  You can head over to our documentation pages for more articles. 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