---
title: "How do I import spine point values in bulk?"
slug: "how-do-i-import-spine-point-values-in-bulk"
updated: 2026-06-10T12:59:03Z
published: 2026-06-10T12:59:03Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-import-spine-point-values-in-bulk"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I import spine point values in bulk?

You can update the **Spine Point** values within **Cintra iQ** by using the **Import** facility within **Cintra iQ**. In order to import the **Spine Point Values**, you should perform the following steps:

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** When you import a new spine point, Cintra iQ will automatically end the existing one for each employee listed.

## Step One - Extract the spine point data

In order to extract the data, you must create a listing report containing the data for the background set up.

1. Navigate to the **Reports** window for the desired **Pay Spine** record.
  - Go to **Cintra iQ:** Employer Settings > Pay Spines > Record in Navigator > Reports.
2. Ensure **Pay Spines** is selected as the **Data File**.
3. Click the **New** button. The **Create Listing Report Definition** window appears.
4. In the **Listing Definition** tab, enter the report's **Title** and select its **Category**.
  - The report will appear under this category name in the Reports window.
5. From the **Available Fields** pane, add each of the following from **Selected Fields** pane.
  - As each field is added, the Report Width automatically expands in characters.
  - Pay Spine Name
  - Spine Point Description
  - Spine Point ID
  - Spine Point Sequence
  - Spine Point Hist Annual Salary
  - Spine Point Hist From Date
  - Spine Point Hist Hourly Rate
6. Click the **OK** button. The report appears in the **Report** window's **Definitions** pane.
7. Highlight the report and click the **Run** button. The **Filter Historice Records** form appears.
8. Enter the **As At** date. This will report the current **Spine Point Values**.
9. Click the **OK** button. The **Pay Spine** report appears.
10. Click the **Output** button. The **Output Destination** dialog appears.
11. Click the **Spreadsheet** button. The data is exported to a spreadsheet.

## Step Two - Prepare the spreadsheet for import

1. Open the spreadsheet that contains the **Spine Point Value** data.
2. Change the date in the **Spine Point Hist From Date** column to the appropriate value.
3. Change the amounts in the **Spine Point Hist Annual Salary** column.
  - If, for instance there is a 2% rise, then insert a new column and using the Excel formula, create the new amounts. It is recommended that once the correct values have been calculated, you should remove the formula from the fields by copying the column and saving as Save Values.
4. When you are satisfied with the data and ready to import, save the file in both an **.xlsx** format and **.csv** format.
  - This is so that if you do need to make any corrections in the future, you can easily do so in the spreadsheet format.
5. Continue to import the new **Spine Values**.

## Step Three - Import the Spine Point Values into Cintra iQ

For more information about importing data, see [How do I import data into Cintra iQ?](/iq/docs/how-do-i-import-data-into-cintra-iq)

1. Navigate to the **Import File** window.
  - Go to **Cintra iQ**: File > Import > Data Import
2. Select **Data File: Pay Spines**.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** This is not the file containing data to be imported, but the general area in **Cintra iQ** that you want to import to.
3. Select **Table to import to**: **Spine Point Values**.
4. Click the **Table Columns** button. The **Table Columns** window appears.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/aq_gkjdJ9m_-hu_MPMKgjOrm_PfABaFIw.png)
5. Check to see if the field names in your file to be imported matches the **Field** names within this window.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** The **Field Names** highlighted in **Red**, must be in your import file.
6. Click the **Ok** button. You are return to the **Import File** window.
7. Select the **Header Line Present** option. This displays the **Source** columns as per the selected import file.
8. Click the ellipsis button to browse and select your **.csv** file. This imports the file into the **Import File's** source pane so that you can see the columns of data and map them to the correct fields in **Cintra iQ**.
9. Match the **Source** fields to the desired details in the **Destination** drop downs.
10. Click the **Next** button. The data appears in the pane.
11. Ensure you have included all the mandatory fields for creating new records.
12. Click the **Import** button. The **Error Status** column displays **OK**. And a message appears confirming how many rows have been updated/inserted.
  - If there are minimal errors to be corrected, perform the update in the system. If there are several corrections to be made, return to the spreadsheet to make the changes, save the file to the .csv format, and then re-import.
13. Continue to save the mapping or save the data.

## Step Four - Make a final check

### Via report

1. Rerun the report you created for extracting the data. Go to **Cintra iQ:** Employer Settings > Pay Spines > Record in Navigator > Reports.
2. Cross check the figures against the original spreadsheet manually or use V-Lookup Excel functionality to check the data to the original spreadsheet data.

### Via spine point details

Spot check the data.

Go to **Cintra iQ:** Employer Settings > Pay Spines > Record in Navigator > Spine Point Details. The new spine point value is displayed in the **Spine Point History** tab with the new effective date.