How to import CSV files in Convex.dev

How to Import CSV Data into a Convex.dev App Using CSVBox

Importing spreadsheet data is a common need for SaaS platforms, especially those handling dynamic datasets — like CRMs, dashboards, inventory systems, and financial tools. While Convex.dev offers a reactive backend ideal for full-stack apps, it doesn’t include native support for CSV import workflows.

This guide walks you through a production-ready integration of Convex.dev with CSVBox — a plug-and-play CSV importer — allowing your users to upload spreadsheet data seamlessly. Whether you’re building an internal tool or scaling a SaaS dashboard, this workflow saves development time and improves the user experience.

Who is this for?

• Developers using Convex.dev as their backend
• Full-stack teams building admin tools or B2B web apps
• SaaS teams needing an efficient data import flow
• Founders launching MVPs that require bulk data onboarding

Why Convex.dev Needs an External CSV Import Tool

Convex.dev is optimized for real-time, type-safe JavaScript development and reactive database logic — but it doesn’t provide:

• Native file upload handling
• CSV or XLSX parsing
• Schema validation or dynamic column mapping
• Feedback mechanisms during file import

These limitations make it difficult to support user-controlled imports in use cases like:

• CRM contact onboarding
• Inventory management for e-commerce
• Uploading internal spreadsheet data for analytics

Instead of building a custom uploader and parser from scratch, we recommend using CSVBox — a purpose-built CSV importer that handles data parsing, mapping, validation, error feedback, and delivery — so your Convex API gets clean, reliable data.

Integration Overview: Using CSVBox with Convex.dev

Here’s the high-level integration flow:

1. Set up a CSV importer on CSVBox.io with field validation rules.
2. Add the CSVBox uploader widget in your frontend.
3. Build a Convex mutation to handle the parsed rows.
4. Create a webhook bridge (e.g. via Vercel) to connect the two systems.

Step-by-Step Guide to Add CSV Imports in Convex.dev

1. Create a CSV Importer on CSVBox

Head to the CSVBox Dashboard and go to:

→ “Importers” → “Create Importer”

Define:

• A name (e.g., “Contact Upload”)
• Expected columns such as Name, Email, Company
• Required fields and data types
• A webhook URL (we will configure this in step 4)

📌 Copy the Importer ID.
📖 Reference: CSVBox: Creating Importers

2. Embed the CSV Uploader Widget in Your Frontend

CSVBox provides a widget that can be embedded in any frontend — React, Next.js, or plain HTML/JS.

Here’s a React integration example:

import { useEffect } from 'react';

export default function CsvImportWidget() {
  useEffect(() => {
    const script = document.createElement("script");
    script.src = "https://js.csvbox.io/0.8/csvbox.js";
    script.async = true;
    document.body.appendChild(script);
  }, []);

  const openUploader = () => {
    if (window.CSVBox) {
      window.CSVBox.importer("your-importer-id", {
        user: {
          user_id: "123",
          name: "Jane Developer",
          email: "[email protected]"
        }
      });
    }
  };

  return <button onClick={openUploader}>Upload CSV</button>;
}

Key benefits:

• Users upload CSV/XLSX files from your app UI
• Automatic field matching and type validation
• UID mapping allows audit trails and import permissions

3. Create a Convex Mutation to Persist Imported Data

In Convex, mutations are how you write data to the database.

Create a new file, e.g., convex/contacts.ts:

import { mutation } from './_generated/server';
import { v } from 'convex/values';

export const importContacts = mutation({
  args: {
    records: v.array(
      v.object({
        Name: v.string(),
        Email: v.string(),
        Company: v.optional(v.string())
      })
    )
  },
  handler: async (ctx, args) => {
    for (const row of args.records) {
      await ctx.db.insert('contacts', {
        name: row.Name,
        email: row.Email,
        company: row.Company || ""
      });
    }
  }
});

Deploy your changes:

npx convex dev

This function accepts validated records from CSVBox and inserts them into your Convex database.

4. Create a Webhook Handler to Bridge CSVBox and Convex

CSVBox sends parsed CSV data via POST to a webhook. Since Convex doesn’t host arbitrary HTTP routes, you’ll need an intermediate webhook handler (serverless function via Vercel, Netlify, etc.) to receive the payload and call your Convex mutation.

Example: Using Vercel API Routes (Next.js)

// pages/api/csvbox-webhook.ts
import { api } from '@vercel/node';
import { ConvexHttpClient } from "convex/browser";
import { api as convexApi } from '../../convex/_generated/api';

const convex = new ConvexHttpClient("https://<your-project>.convex.cloud");

export default api(async (req, res) => {
  if (req.method !== 'POST') return res.status(405).end("Method Not Allowed");

  const data = req.body;

  if (!data?.data) return res.status(400).json({ error: "Missing CSV data" });

  await convex.mutation(convexApi.contacts.importContacts, {
    records: data.data
  });

  return res.status(200).json({ status: "Data saved" });
});

🚨 Be sure to:

• Deploy this endpoint to your Vercel instance
• Use the full valid Convex deployment URL
• Update your Importer to point its webhook to this serverless function

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Check:

• CSVBox import logs
• Serverless function logs (e.g., Vercel dashboard)
• Convex dev console for error traces

Why Use CSVBox for CSV Imports?

CSVBox handles the entire import workflow so you don’t have to:

✅ File Handling
Supports large CSV and Excel uploads, including thousands of rows.

✅ Schema Validation
Front-end column mapping with backend type validation.

✅ Field Mapping UI
Allows users to label and match their spreadsheet columns.

✅ UX & Feedback
Progress indicators, previews, and per-row error messaging.

✅ Developer-Friendly
No need to write your own CSV parsers — just receive validated JSON.

✅ Production-Ready
Supports audit trails, retries, and multiple user sessions.

📚 Learn more: How CSVBox Works

Real-World Use Cases

Wondering if this setup fits your project? Here are some questions CSVBox + Convex can answer:

• “How can users bulk upload contacts into my app?”
• “What’s the best way to validate spreadsheet data before backend insertion?”
• “Can I outsource CSV parsing in a Convex-based project?”

If your product requires importing structured data into Convex — CRM records, product catalogs, time logs, financial reports — this combo saves hours of dev time and gives your users a polished experience.

Next Steps and Enhancements

Once basic importing is in place, you can:

• Set up multiple importers (e.g. Contacts, Products, Leads)
• Add import audit logs or confirmation emails
• Trigger notifications (Slack, email) on successful import
• Apply transformations (e.g., deduplication, enrichment) before saving

Helpful Resources

• 📘 CSVBox Docs: https://help.csvbox.io
• 📘 Convex Docs: https://docs.convex.dev
• 💻 GitHub Example (coming soon): CSVBox + Convex starter template

By integrating CSVBox with Convex.dev, you enable fast, accurate, and scalable import capabilities — essential for teams building real-time dashboards, B2B tools, or data-driven SaaS platforms.

Let your app speak spreadsheet. 🧾✨