# How to add a new manufacturer or vendor

[<mark style="color:purple;">**Catalog Pro**</mark>](https://www.canoa.supply/catalog-pro) is where you can upload your own product data to manage and design with on a daily basis that are not already apart of Canoa's public [<mark style="color:purple;">**Products**</mark>](https://www.canoa.supply/products) library. A common workflow in Catalog Pro is to upload a **.CSV file** of your own product data in bulk - so all of your products import into Canoa quickly and efficiently, at one time.&#x20;

{% content-ref url="/pages/cGi8J1vSlm7rh9TczlwA" %}
[How to import your product data](/docs/collect/my-catalog/working-in-table-view/how-to-import-your-product-data.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

If you run into the error message "**Row 1: Invalid option**" during your import of your .CSV file and Catalog Pro fails to import your **manufacturer** or **vendor fields**, this is why:

* The manufacturers and/or vendors are not currently in the Canoa system.

<figure><img src="/files/YQtn6lYbYFGBZwT9jJsW" alt=""><figcaption><p>Vendor and Manufacturer error during .CSV file import into Catalog Pro</p></figcaption></figure>

## Here is how to check if the manufacturer or vendor already exists in the Canoa database, and how to check for the correct spelling:

* Open up **Catalog Pro.**
* Search brands by using the **Filter** tool -> **Manufacturer** and **Vendor.**
* If your brand appears in the filtered search, then your products will import with the manufacturer or vendor you have included without a problem. &#x20;
* If your manufacturer or vendor does not appear, you will need to add in the next step.

<figure><img src="/files/eTp1eUPMf9ecgq6ybvZx" alt=""><figcaption><p>Search for existing Canoa brands with the Filter tool</p></figcaption></figure>

## Follow these steps to troubleshoot the error message in the importing of your .CSV data file:

1. **Exit** the Import Products window. Click **Cancel**.
2. Click the **Create Product** button located in the upper-right corner of the **Catalog Pro** page.&#x20;
3. You will then be taken to a window to populate the data fields of a new, unnamed product (seen below).&#x20;
4. Scroll down to the **Manufacturer field** in the right-side panel.
5. Enter in the **name** of the manufacturer with the exact spelling and casing you would like to see on your product card.&#x20;
6. The message "No manufacturers found." will show up. Click on the **+ Add button**.
7. Now do the same steps (4 through 6) for the **Vendor field** shown in the right-side panel for that same unnamed product.
8. Once complete, simply **exit** the new, unnamed product page and return to **Catalog Pro**.
9. **Refresh** your internet browser.&#x20;
10. Click the **three dots**, choose **Import**, and upload your existing .CSV file. The error message should not pop up again, and your import should go smoothly into Catalog Pro.

<figure><img src="/files/BM6lWPckttGovZzfWbcN" alt=""><figcaption><p>How to add a new manufacturer</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/35r5Eund94SJ0ML8ACC6" alt=""><figcaption><p>How to add a new vendor</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**NOTE:** These steps do not need to be taken if the Manufacturer or Vendor you are hoping to upload via .CSV file already exists on Canoa's public [<mark style="color:purple;">**Products**</mark>](https://www.canoa.supply/products) library.
{% endhint %}

## What is the difference between a manufacturer and a vendor?&#x20;

* The **Manufacturer** is the company that produces the furniture or accessories.
* The **Vendor** is the company that you would reach out to for a quote or to order the furniture or accessories from. In some instances, the **Manufacturer** and the **Vendor** are the same company.

If this help article did not solve the error you are facing while attempting to import your own product data, please contact [**support@canoa.supply**](mailto:support@canoa.supply) for further assistance. &#x20;


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