How to Import Inventory Adjustments into Sage 50 Accounting

How to Import Inventory Adjustments into Sage 50 Accounting

Importing inventory adjustments in Sage 50 can save hours of manual data entry—especially when updating quantities, correcting stock levels, or initializing beginning balances. Sage 50 supports importing adjustments via a properly formatted CSV file using the Import Records Wizard.

Step 1: Prepare Your CSV File

Sage 50 expects a specific structure for inventory adjustment imports. Each row represents a distribution line, and the file must include the following required fields:

Field Name	Required	Description
Item ID	✅	Inventory item code (up to 20 characters)
Date	✅	Transaction date in MM/DD/YY format
Reference	❌	Optional reference or memo
Quantity	✅	Quantity to adjust (negative to reduce stock)
Amount	✅	Total value of the adjustment (negative for credit)
G/L Source Account	✅	GL account number (typically Cost of Sales or Inventory Adjustment account)
Number of Distributions	✅	Always set to 1 for each line
Serial Number	✅ if applicable	Required for serialized items

💡 Tip: Use Sage’s sample file or export a test adjustment to see the correct format. Create a export file for Inventory Adjustments to review the correct format.

Step 2: Launch the Import Wizard

1. Go to File > Import/Export > Import Records.
2. Choose Inventory Adjustments Journal as the import type.
3. Select Sage 50 import format and click Next.
4. Browse to your CSV file and select it.
5. Map the fields if prompted, or confirm the default mapping.
6. Click Next, then Finish to begin the import.

Behind the Scenes

• Sage 50 creates a journal entry for each adjustment.
• The inventory account is pulled from the item setup; the source account is specified in the import.
• Negative quantities reduce stock; positive quantities increase it.
• The amount should reflect the total value of the adjustment (not unit cost).

Best Practices

• Back up your company file before importing.
• Test with a small batch first to verify formatting.
• Use consistent GL accounts to avoid reconciliation issues.
• If using serialized inventory, ensure each serial number is on its own row.

Importing inventory adjustments in Sage 50 is a powerful way to streamline stock corrections, initialize balances, or apply bulk updates. With the right file structure and a bit of prep, you can save time and reduce manual errors.