# Switching from Toolorg, Stepptools and Excel

> Read in your existing tool list – an export from Toolorg or Stepptools or your own Excel file. Columns are recognised, locations and numbers taken over.

Switching to a new tool management system rarely fails because of the software, but because of the stock: hundreds of tools with numbers, storage locations and inspection dates that nobody wants to type in again. The list already exists – as an export from the previous program or as an Excel file that has grown over the years.

The **migration assistant** of Tulz reads this file as it is. It recognises the columns by their headings, shows sample values for checking and creates the tools – with categories, storage locations, additional numbers and inspection dates. You do not have to fill in a template.

## How it works in the workshop

1. **Export** – save the tool list in the previous program as an Excel or CSV file; save your own lists as .xlsx or CSV ([Migration assistant](https://tulz.work/en/help/article/migration-assistant)).
2. **Read in and check** – upload the file; Tulz suggests for every column where it belongs. Change what does not fit via the selection and leave out columns you do not need.
3. **Take over** – conditions, dates, inspection intervals and prices are converted, categories and storage locations created; existing numbers are skipped or updated on request.
4. **Label** – print labels and assign tools without a storage location by scan ([Printing labels](https://tulz.work/en/help/article/print-labels), [Moving by scan](https://tulz.work/en/help/article/move-by-scan)).

## What comes with it

- Excel files (.xlsx) directly, plus CSV and text with semicolon, comma or tab
- German, English and Italian column names, common abbreviations such as "Inv. no." or "S/N"
- Several number columns (OEM, manufacturer, supplier) end up together as additional numbers on the tool
- Dates in German notation, as ISO date or as Excel date number
- Up to 5,000 rows per file; the file is deleted after the takeover
- For your own templates the classic CSV import remains ([CSV import](https://tulz.work/en/help/article/import-tools-by-csv))

## Who it is for

For workshops switching to Tulz from another program or an Excel list – and for dealer groups merging the stock of several branches. How the switch succeeds step by step is described in the guide [From spreadsheet to tool management](https://tulz.work/en/guides/replacing-the-tool-spreadsheet).

## Frequently asked questions

### Are loans and history taken over from the old program?

No, the stock is taken over: tools with numbers, storage locations, categories and inspection dates. Whatever is currently issued arrives as available and is issued anew in Tulz.

### What happens to columns that Tulz does not know?

They are not taken over as long as you do not map them to a field. Important details without a field of their own can go into the notes if you wish.

### Can I test the switch beforehand?

Yes. The mapping shows sample values and a preview before anything is created. A backup under Settings also makes it possible to roll back a takeover.

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Source: https://tulz.work/en/features/switching-from-toolorg-stepptools-excel · As of 2026-10-15 · Tulz