Margin Master Handbook
- Prerequisites
- Firewall and Network Requirements
- Microsoft Edge Download Block
- SQL Server Authentication Setup for IT Administrators
- Antivirus and Endpoint Security Exclusions
- SQL Server Tools
- Install or Upgrade SQL Server Express
- Install or Upgrade SQL Server Management Studio
- Database Connection Setup
- Database Creation
- Database Restore
- Transfer Settings from Database
- Connecting a Second Computer
- A Tour of the Main Window
- The Menus
- The Button Row
- The Main Data Grid
- The Summary Section
- Banners and Badges
- The Options Window
- Store Configuration
- Miscellaneous
- Export Options
- Vendor Settings
- POS / Connections Tabs
- Background Service
- AI Assistant (Experimental)
- How POS Import Works
- Supported Point-of-Sale Systems
- Data Import Workflows
- RockSolid POS Import
- Epicor Eagle FTP Import
- Epicor MySQL Compass Import
- Transact POS Import
- Paladin POS Import
- Falcon POS Import
- Spruce POS Import
- Bistrack POS Import
- RockSolid Max POS Import
- ECS POS Import
- Prosperity POS Import
- Catalyst POS Import
- Westlake POS Import
- MI9 POS Import
- AS/400 POS Import
- CounterWorks POS Import
- Dimension POS Import
- PacSoft POS Import
- ProStix POS Import
- Sympac POS Import
- Propello POS Import
- EagleVision POS Import
- MySQL/Compass Connection Configuration
- ECI VPN Requirement (Spruce, RockSolid MAX)
- Propello POS Integration Guide
- Troubleshooting: Epicor Import Brought In 0 SKUs
- PACE POS Import
- Advantage POS Import
- General Store POS Import
- J-3 POS Import
- KeyStroke POS Import
- AutBusSystem POS Import
- Tomax POS Import
- Enterprise POS Import
- Computakey POS Import
- Redisell POS Import
- DART POS Import
- MIB POS Import
- Substruct POS Import
- DMAS POS Import
- RODS POS Import
- Procom POS Import
- Agility POS Import
- Acumen POS Import
- Cruise POS Import
- LSandE POS Import
- Retalix POS Import
- DIBCorp POS Import
- GMROI POS Import
- ECi Advantage POS Import
- Sunray POS Import
- ActivantAutomotive POS Import
- IBS POS Import
- Versys POS Import
- RMS POS Import
- TAMS POS Import
- Integrasoft POS Import
- Dynamic POS Import
- Microsoft ARS POS Import
- CDS POS Import
- Spartan POS Import
- Nitterhouse POS Import
- Jeds POS Import
- Theisens POS Import
- Emery Jensen POS Import
- SMS Pro POS Import
- Burdens POS Import
- Intact POS Import
- Bloom Retail POS Import
- NCR Counterpoint POS Import
- Horizon POS Import
- Cloud Vendor Data Sync
- Data Aging and Freshness Warnings
- Resetting Vendor and POS Data
- Rebuild Data and Rebuild Selection Lists
- Troubleshooting Vendor Sync
- Understanding the Strategy Hierarchy
- Pricing Strategies
- Creating a Strategy Step
- Updating and Deleting Steps
- Reviewing a Strategy and Running It
- Shared (Premade) Strategies
- SKU-Level Exceptions
- Manage Custom Groups
- Strategy Execution Cloud Tracking
- Importing from Excel
- Cost Break Analysis
- Cost Break Strategies
- Min/Max Strategies
- Strategy Backup & Restore
- Add Items from Catalog
- Store Grouping
- Data Diagnostics and Missing Index Recommendations
- System Diagnostics
- Margin Master Cannot Save Settings
- SQL Server 2025 Express vs. Full License
- Support Issue Management
- Catalog Lookup
- What's New After an Update
- Version History
- Documentation and the Help Buttons
- Chat with Support
- CTLD — Do It Best Catalog File
- MARGIN_MASTER — Ace Catalog File
- PCDITEMXREF — Do It Best SKU Classification File
- SAP_ZONE_PRICE_MARGIN_MASTER — Ace Zone Pricing File
- PCDPRODCLASS — Do It Best Product Classification Hierarchy File
- SAP_STORE_DEPT_ZONE_MARGIN_MASTER — Ace Store Zone Assignment File
- Taxonomy — Ace Product Classification File
- Mapp_Pricing — Ace MAP & IMAP Pricing File
- margin_mstr_plano — Ace Planogram File
On This Page
Catalyst POS Import
What is this?
The Catalyst import is the only POS import in Margin Master that uses Excel .xlsx files as its source. Margin Master recognizes two alternate spreadsheet header layouts automatically.
Import File Format
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| File format | Excel (.xlsx) |
| File pattern | *.xlsx |
| Header detection | Automatic (two alternate formats supported) |
| Field count | 22 |
Fields
| # | Field | Max Length | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SKU | 50 | Item SKU |
| 2 | Description | 100 | Item description (commas replaced with hyphens) |
| 3 | Dept | 50 | Department |
| 4 | Class | 50 | Class |
| 5 | Fineline | 50 | Fineline code (used as the product group) |
| 6 | UOM | 50 | Unit of measure (used as the order multiple) |
| 7 | Current Price | -- | Current retail price |
| 8 | Store Cost | -- | Store cost (the cost Margin Master prices from) |
| 9 | Avg Cost | -- | Average cost |
| 10 | Store | 20 | Store identifier |
| 11 | On Hand | -- | Quantity on hand |
| 12 | SVelocity | 10 | Sales velocity |
| 13-25 | H0 - H12 | -- | Monthly sales history (13 months) |
How Import Works
The export file is read from the Import Path set under Tools > Options > Miscellaneous:
- Export your inventory data from Catalyst as an Excel
.xlsxfile. - Place the file in the configured import folder.
- Margin Master opens the Excel file and detects which of the two supported header layouts it uses.
- Descriptions are cleaned: commas in the Description field are replaced with hyphens to avoid delimiter conflicts.
- The data is loaded into Margin Master's database and your main pricing analysis table is built.
Duplicate Handling
Catalyst checks for duplicate records based on the SKU field. When duplicates are found, only the first occurrence is kept.
Key Differences from Other POS Systems
- Fineline as product group: Catalyst's Fineline code fills the product group, which most other POS systems leave empty or derive differently.
- UOM as order multiple: The unit of measure is stored as the order multiple.
- Store Cost as cost: Catalyst uses "Store Cost" rather than "Average Cost" as the primary cost field.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No Files Found when you choose Get POS Data | The export is not in the Import Path (Tools > Options > Miscellaneous), or its name does not match the pattern above | Check the path and the file name; Margin Master reads only the current folder, not sub-folders |
| The same file is imported again and again | The previous import's file was not renamed | After a successful import the file is renamed to NAME[ext].BAK; a file that keeps its name did not import - read the error dialog |
| 0 records or far fewer than expected | The export covers the wrong store, or the store is not matched in the Store Manager | Open Store Manager and check the store's row; re-export from the point of sale |
| Columns land in the wrong fields | The export layout changed | Compare the file's header row with Fields above; contact Margin Master support with the file |
| Import finishes but the grid does not change | The rebuild was postponed (the Click to update data badge is showing) | Click the badge, or Data > Rebuild Data |
Every import failure shows one error dialog; the log under File > Utilities > Show Log Files has the detail to send to support.
Tips
Catalyst is the only POS that imports from Excel files. Make sure your export is saved as
.xlsxformat (not.xlsor.csv).
Commas in product descriptions are automatically replaced with hyphens during import. For example, "Bolt, Hex, 3/8" becomes "Bolt- Hex- 3/8". This prevents conflicts with the internal comma delimiter used during processing.
The duplicate check uses SKU only (not Store + SKU). If your export has the same SKU listed multiple times, only the first row is kept.
Catalyst supports two different header formats. If your spreadsheet column headers do not match either expected layout, the import will fail. Contact Margin Master support for assistance.
Common Questions
Q: Can I import a .csv file instead of .xlsx?
A: No. Catalyst specifically requires Excel .xlsx files. The import uses Excel-specific processing that is not available for plain CSV files.
Q: Why are commas in my descriptions replaced with hyphens? A: During processing, Catalyst data is handled as comma-delimited internally. Commas within the Description field would break the parsing, so they are replaced with hyphens automatically.
Q: What is the Fineline field used for? A: Fineline becomes the product group in Margin Master. It provides an additional level of product categorization beyond Department and Class.
Q: My Excel file has different column headers than expected. What do I do? A: Catalyst supports two alternate header formats, detected automatically. If neither matches your file, contact Margin Master support to verify your Catalyst export configuration.
