Quick start

✅ Always complete at least:

  • Status
  • Product description (Brand + Variant + Net content)

⚠️ Leaving these blank will block barcode generation and updates.

 

💡 To make your product shareable with Verified by GS1 (VbG), also complete the columns labelled "Required for Verified by GS1". 

Step 1: Filling in the template

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Mandatory vs optional:

  • Look at row 4 in the template → it shows which fields are mandatory and which are optional.
  • The more you complete, the richer and more useful your product record will be. 
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Repeatable attributes

Some attributes allow multiple values across separate columns:

  • Net content: weight (g) + volume (mL)
  • Countries of sale
  • Contact type
  • Additional product description

 

👉 Enter each extra value in the additional column provided.

 

Warning

Empty cells

Leaving an optional cell blank is fine.

Leaving a previously populated cell blank removes that data from My Numberbank.

Status + product description must always be present once a GTIN is assigned. 

Step 2: Managing GTINs

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Retiring a GTIN → change status from active to inactive.

Never reuse GTINs → once assigned, they stay linked to that product.

GTIN-8s → issued individually by GS1 UK; you can download them but can not edit descriptions in Excel. 

Step 3: Understanding pick lists & code lists

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Always choose from the drop-down where provided. 

These ensure consistency (e.g., “GB” always = United Kingdom).

Step 4: The import report

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After uploading your file, check the import monitor in My Numberbank:

  • Success → your data has been imported.
  • Partial → some rows had errors or were empty.
  • Total errors → counts the number of issues, not the number of GTINs affected. (Example: 10 GTINs uploaded, 20 errors = multiple issues per GTIN.) 

Key fields explained

  • Troubleshooting reference (e.g. A569-E87D-4807): a unique ID GS1 UK can use to help you.
  • Import date: UTC timestamp of the upload.
  • Organisational ID: system reference GS1 uses to locate your account. 

Common validation messages

  • “Minimum information missing” → you’ve uploaded a GTIN with no product data. Add at least status + product description.
  • “Total errors > 0” → check the error details for row/column issues, fix them in Excel, and re-upload. 

Tips for success

  • Fill in more than the minimum → prevents rework later.
  • Always double-check row 4 for mandatory/optional flags.
  • Use correct codes (e.g., “GB” not “UK”).
  • Check your import report after every upload — it’s your first troubleshooting step.
  • Check your file is XLSX and not Apple numbers or Google sheets.

If you need any help or have questions about using the template, our GS1 UK support team is always here for you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch - we’re committed to helping you get the most from your product data.