Importing Existing Data
Already have records in a spreadsheet, a stack of registration papers, or a breeder's email? Herd Manager has three ways in — pick whichever matches what you're holding.
| You have… | Use |
|---|---|
| A spreadsheet (CSV, Excel) | Spreadsheet import |
| Photos, screenshots, PDFs, or a wall of pasted text | H.E.R.D. import |
| Registration papers or pedigree documents | Pedigree import |
Spreadsheet Import
Best when your records are already in rows and columns.
Where: Settings → 📥 Import Data
Formats: .csv, .xlsx, .xls, .tsv
- Go to Settings → 📥 Import Data
- Upload your file
- The importer automatically detects columns and maps them to Herd Manager fields
- Review the mapping and correct anything that didn't match
- Import
Column Mapping
Common column names are recognized automatically:
| Your Spreadsheet Column | Maps To |
|---|---|
| Name, Goat Name, Animal Name | Goat Name |
| Breed | Breed |
| DOB, Birth Date, Date of Birth | Date of Birth |
| Sex, Gender | Sex |
| Registration, Reg #, ADGA # | Registration Number |
| Sire, Father, Sire Name | Sire |
| Dam, Mother, Dam Name | Dam |
| Color, Colour | Color |
| Status | Status |
| Tag, Tag #, Ear Tag | Tag Number |
Anything unrecognized can be mapped by hand during the review step.
- First row should contain column headers
- One goat per row
- Consistent date formats
- Remove blank rows and any summary rows at the bottom
H.E.R.D. Import (photos, PDFs & pasted text)
When your records aren't in a spreadsheet at all. H.E.R.D. import reads photos, screenshots, PDFs, or pasted text and pulls the goat records out of them.
Where: Herd tab → ➕ (Add Goat) → 📋 Bulk Import via H.E.R.D.
Accepts: PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, PDF — or text pasted straight into the box.
This handles the things spreadsheets can't:
- A photo of a handwritten herd list or barn whiteboard
- Screenshots from another app you're leaving
- A PDF from a breeder or registry
- A long email listing several goats
- Sale catalog pages
Upload or paste, and the extracted goats appear in a review screen before anything is saved. Nothing is imported until you confirm — check names, dates, and sexes there, since handwriting and low-resolution photos are where mistakes creep in.
Try five or ten goats first to see how your particular source material reads, then do the rest once you know what to expect.
Pedigree Import
For registration papers and pedigree documents specifically, where the goal is capturing ancestors rather than adding animals to your barn.
Where: Herd tab → ➕ (Add Goat) → 📜 Pedigree Import
Accepts: PDF and screenshots.
Ancestors come in as external goats — recorded for pedigree purposes but not part of your active herd. They appear in family trees and inbreeding calculations without counting toward your plan's goat limit or cluttering your herd list.
After Importing
Review the results in the Herd tab. You'll usually want to:
- Add photos
- Check that sires and dams linked correctly (see Goat Profile)
- Set statuses so sold or deceased animals aren't counted as active
- Enter current lactations if you're mid-season
Records can be added at any time. Many farms import their active herd first and backfill history later, or never — the app is useful from the first goat.