Guides · job cost CSV template
Job cost CSV: what to include, how to map it, mistakes to avoid
Everything you need for a clean first import: the columns that matter, how mapping works, the mistakes that produce wrong margins, and templates to start from.
By the MarginGuard team · FactoryEdgeAI · Last reviewed
- Required vs recommended columns
- How column mapping and readiness checks work
- Five import mistakes that create false variance, and how to avoid them
- Free minimal and full CSV templates
The problem
Bad imports are worse than no imports: a swapped estimate and actual column, or an operation-level file summed as if it were job-level, produces confident-looking margins that are wrong. Most first-import problems come from the same handful of causes.
What to measure
A good file has one row per job, a unique job number, consistent currency, revenue on the same basis for every job (quoted or billed, not mixed), and estimated and actual costs in matching categories.
How MarginGuard helps
MarginGuard's import wizard detects headers, shows confidence per mapped column, asks before guessing about money, blocks multi-row files, and gives a readiness score before anything is saved. Mappings are remembered per report layout.
Next step: sign up, load the demo, or compare plans.
How to get started
- Step 1Start from a template or your ERP export
Use the minimal template, or export from your ERP (see the JobBOSS², E2, Epicor, Global Shop, or ProShop guides).
- Step 2Check the five mistakes below
Thirty seconds of checking prevents most bad imports.
- Step 3Upload, map, review readiness
Integrations → Import. Confirm Job Number and Customer, review the mapped money columns, read the readiness score, then import.
1. One row per operation instead of per job
If the same job number appears on several rows with job totals on each, summing them multiplies costs. MarginGuard blocks this; fix it by exporting a job-level summary report.
2. Estimate and actual columns swapped
Headers like “Cost” and “Job Cost” are ambiguous. Confirm which is estimated and which is actual on the mapping screen. A shop where every job looks under budget is a red flag.
3. Mixed revenue basis
Quoted price for some jobs and billed amount for others makes margins incomparable. Pick one basis per file.
4. Missing actuals on open jobs
Open jobs with no actual cost posted look like 100% margin. Filter to closed jobs, or jobs with actuals posted, for your first review.
5. Title and filter rows above the header
ERP exports often start with report titles and filter text. MarginGuard skips them automatically, but check that the detected header row is the right one.
| Field | Required? | Example header names |
|---|---|---|
| Job Number | Yes | Job #, JobNum, Work Order, WO |
| Customer | Yes | Customer Name, CustID, Customer Code |
| Revenue | For margin | Sell Price, Sales, ExtPrice, Order Amount |
| Estimated cost | For variance | Est Total, Estimated Cost, TLE* fields |
| Actual cost | For variance | Act Total, Actual Cost, Job Cost, TLA* fields |
| Cost categories | Recommended | Labor, Setup, Burden/Overhead, Material, Outside/Subcontract |
| Context | Optional | Part #, Qty, Work Center, Due Date, Status |
Downloads
- Minimal template (CSV)
12 columns.
- Full template (CSV)
All supported columns.
FAQ
- What are the minimum columns?
- Job Number and Customer to import. Add revenue and estimated and actual cost for margin and variance analysis.
- Excel or CSV?
- Either. CSV, XLSX, and XLS are supported.
- What happens if I re-import the same jobs?
- Jobs are matched by job number and updated, not duplicated.
- Can I combine two exports for the same jobs?
- Yes. Add the second file as an extra file; it's joined by job number without double-counting.
Related MarginGuard pages
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Act on job cost CSV template
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