> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tread.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Master Data Overview

> The data sets you'll prepare, in the order they need to be uploaded.

## What you'll do

Prepare and upload nine master data sets in order. Each set unlocks the next.

## Before you start

* Confirm your [company hierarchy](/onboarding/company-hierarchy) first. All master data lives at the parent level.
* Export source data from your accounting and HR systems (drivers, customers, vendors, materials).
* Decide which records carry an Ext. ID — Tread's external identifier used to match rows back to your accounting system. Each Ext. ID must be unique within Tread and is reusable only across integrations.

## Bulk import with CSV

You don't have to type records in one at a time. Every master data grid in Settings — Users, Drivers, Customers, Vendors, Equipment Types, Equipment, Material Types, Materials, and Sites — has an **Import/Export** button that loads a whole data set from a CSV file.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/treadtechnologiesinc/QG65Ifc34LIjImzb/images/onboarding/csv-import-export-button.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QG65Ifc34LIjImzb&q=85&s=97c5a137dc482e7ac6d562fbebabbb21" alt="Import/Export button on a master data grid in Settings" width="2704" height="1172" data-path="images/onboarding/csv-import-export-button.png" />

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the template">
    **Download Template** gives you a blank CSV with every column and example values. Open **Column Reference** in the same dialog to see which columns are required and what values each accepts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill it from your source export">
    One row per record, straight from your accounting or HR export. Include the Ext. ID column so each row matches back to your accounting system.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload and fix any failed rows">
    **Upload CSV** (max 5MB) creates new records — or updates existing ones when the row carries the record's ID. Tread validates every row and reports failures with the reason per row. Download the failed rows, correct them, and re-upload just those.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/treadtechnologiesinc/QG65Ifc34LIjImzb/images/onboarding/csv-import-export-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QG65Ifc34LIjImzb&q=85&s=dbf2cb61d8d428d239c7beedde434b84" alt="Import/Export dialog with Download Template, Export All Data, and Upload CSV" width="1200" height="890" data-path="images/onboarding/csv-import-export-modal.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Export All Data** in the same dialog downloads what's already in Tread (up to 10,000 records) — useful for auditing a finished import against your source.

<Note>
  Historical operational data — past orders, projects, and tickets — imports through Tread's import API, not CSV upload. Your Tread contact runs these during onboarding. Developer teams can integrate directly; see the [API reference](/api-reference/introduction).
</Note>

## Walkthrough

Upload in this order. Skipping ahead breaks references.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Users">
    Add the people who log into Tread. See [Users](/onboarding/master-data/users).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drivers">
    Add the drivers who receive dispatches. See [Drivers](/onboarding/master-data/drivers).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customers">
    Add who you bill. See [Customers](/onboarding/master-data/customers).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Vendors">
    Add the third-party haulers you dispatch to. See [Vendors](/onboarding/master-data/vendors).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Equipment Types">
    Set up types before equipment — capacity and unit of measure (UoM) live here. See [Equipment Types](/onboarding/master-data/equipment-types).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Equipment">
    Add the trucks and trailers. See [Equipment](/onboarding/master-data/equipment).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Materials">
    Pull from accounting. See [Materials](/onboarding/master-data/materials).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sites">
    Add job sites and yards with lat/long and geofences. See [Sites](/onboarding/master-data/sites).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Departments, Labels & Service Classes">
    Optional categorization for reporting and dispatch flow. See [Departments, Labels & Service Classes](/onboarding/master-data/departments-labels-classes).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify

Settings → each panel shows a populated list. Spot-check three rows per set against your source export, or use **Export All Data** and diff the file against your source.

## Common mistakes

<Warning>
  **Uploading equipment before equipment types.** Capacity and UoM live on the type. Without types, material tracking and ticket calculations don't work. Always do types first.
</Warning>