How to import addresses from a spreadsheet

Why import instead of typing

Typing 30 addresses on a phone takes 15 minutes on a good day, and every typo is a stop in the wrong place. If your stops already live in a spreadsheet from a dispatcher, a shop order export or your own list, importing them takes a minute and avoids the typos.

How to format the spreadsheet

Route planners look up each address to find its location on the map. The cleaner the address, the better the match.

One stop per row. Each row should be one delivery. Do not merge cells or put two addresses in one cell.

Full address in one column, or split columns that join cleanly. The simplest format is one column with the whole address:

1428 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1C9
2210 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 4J1

If your sheet splits street, city, state and zip into separate columns, add a new column that joins them. In Excel or Google Sheets, a formula like =A2&", "&B2&", "&C2&" "&D2 builds a full address you can copy down.

Optional columns. If you have them, keep these next to the address:

• Name, such as the customer or business name.
• Phone, so you can call from the stop.
• Notes, such as gate codes or “leave at back door”.

These carry over as stop details in the app, so you do not have to add them later.

Remove clutter. Delete blank rows, total rows at the bottom, and any title lines above the header. Extra rows can show up as bad stops.

Exporting as CSV

CSV (comma-separated values) is a plain text version of your sheet that every route planner can read.

• Excel: File, Save As, then pick “CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited)”. UTF-8 keeps accented characters in street names intact.
• Google Sheets: File, Download, Comma-separated values (.csv). Only the current tab is exported, so make sure your stops are on the tab you are viewing.
• Numbers on Mac: File, Export To, CSV.

If you would rather skip the file, just select the address column, copy it and paste it. One address per line works just as well.

Importing into SoloRoute

In the app, start a new route and choose to import. You can pick the CSV file from your phone, or paste the copied list. SoloRoute looks up each address and adds it as a stop. If an address matches more than one place, you choose the right one.

Check before you optimize

After the import, take 30 seconds to look at the map:

• Any pin far outside your delivery area is almost always a bad address. Fix the street name, or add the missing city or zip.
• Stops that sit on top of each other may be duplicates. Delete the extra one.
• Look at the stop count. If you imported 25 rows and see 24 stops, one address could not be found.

Then pin a first or last stop if you need to, add time windows if you have Pro, and tap Optimize.

Common mistakes

• Missing city or zip code. The number one cause of wrong pins. Street names repeat across towns.
• Header text in the address column. A cell that says “Address” or “Customer list” may be read as a stop. Remove it.
• Two addresses in one cell. Split them into two rows.
• Exporting the wrong tab. Google Sheets only downloads the tab you have open.
• Going over the limit. The free plan takes 20 stops per route. With more, split the list into two routes or upgrade to Pro for up to 100.

No spreadsheet? Scan the paper

If your stops come on a printed manifest, skip the spreadsheet. Scan the page with your phone camera in SoloRoute and the addresses are read and added for you. Then check the pins and optimize, the same as with an import.