Import & Export

bulkU makes it easy to import URL lists from external sources and export your organized collections for backup, sharing, or use in other tools.

Export Formats

bulkU supports two export formats, each suited for different use cases.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

Universal format compatible with Excel, Google Sheets, and most tools.

• Best for: Spreadsheet analysis, sharing with non-technical users, importing to other tools
• Contains: URLs only (one per line)
• Pros: Universal compatibility, simple format, easy to edit
• Cons: No metadata (tags, notes, settings)

Example CSV output:

https://example.com/page1
https://example.com/page2
https://example.com/page3

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

Structured format that preserves all metadata and settings.

• Best for: Backups, migration, preserving complete data
• Contains: URLs, tags, notes (Pro), settings, timestamps
• Pros: Complete data preservation, re-importable to bulkU
• Cons: Not human-readable, requires JSON-compatible tools

Example JSON output:

{
  "groupName": "SEO Audit",
  "urls": [
    {
      "url": "https://example.com/page1",
      "tags": ["404", "high-priority"],
      "note": "Fix broken link",
      "checked": true,
      "addedDate": "2025-11-15T10:30:00Z"
    }
  ],
  "settings": {
    "delay": 2,
    "batchSize": 10,
    "limit": 0
  },
  "lastModified": "2025-11-15T10:45:00Z"
}

Exporting Current Group

Export the currently active group to a file.

Backup All Groups

Export all groups, tags, and settings in one comprehensive backup file.

Importing URLs

Add URLs to the current group from external files.

Supported Import Formats

• .txt - Plain text, one URL per line
• .csv - Comma-separated values, URLs in first column
• .json - JSON array of URLs or bulkU export format

https://example.com/page1
https://example.com/page2
https://example.com/page3

Restoring from Backup

Restore all groups and settings from a previously created backup file.

Common Workflows

Real-world examples of import/export usage.

Screaming Frog Integration

1. Run Screaming Frog crawl
2. Export URLs to CSV (e.g., all 404 pages)
3. Import CSV into bulkU
4. Tag URLs by issue type
5. Open in batches for review
6. Export fixed URLs list

Team Collaboration

1. Create and organize URL groups
2. Export as JSON (preserves tags and notes)
3. Share file with team members
4. Team imports backup to their bulkU
5. Everyone has same organized structure

Regular Backups

1. Set weekly reminder
2. Click "Backup All Groups"
3. Save to cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
4. Keep last 3-4 backups
5. Delete older backups

Migration to New Computer

1. On old computer: Backup All Groups
2. Save backup file to USB or cloud
3. On new computer: Install bulkU
4. Import backup file
5. All data restored instantly

Excel Analysis

1. Export group as CSV
2. Open in Excel or Google Sheets
3. Add columns for analysis (status, notes, etc.)
4. Filter and sort as needed
5. Export back to CSV
6. Import updated list to bulkU

Best Practices

Get the most out of import/export features:

✅ Do:

• Create regular backups (weekly or monthly)
• Store backups in multiple locations (local + cloud)
• Use descriptive filenames with dates
• Test restore process occasionally
• Export before major changes
• Use CSV for sharing with non-bulkU users
• Use JSON for complete backups
• Keep backup files organized in folders

❌ Don't:

• Rely on a single backup
• Store backups only on same computer
• Edit JSON backup files manually (risk corruption)
• Share backup files publicly (may contain sensitive URLs)
• Forget to backup before uninstalling
• Import untrusted backup files

File Formats Reference

Technical details for developers and advanced users.

CSV Format

Simple text file with one URL per line:

https://example.com/page1
https://example.com/page2
https://example.com/page3

Notes:

• No headers required
• Empty lines are ignored
• Invalid URLs are skipped
• Duplicates are removed on import

JSON Format (Single Group Export)

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "exportDate": "2025-11-15T10:45:00Z",
  "groupName": "SEO Audit",
  "urls": [
    {
      "url": "https://example.com/page1",
      "tags": ["404", "high-priority"],
      "note": "Fix broken link",
      "checked": true,
      "addedDate": "2025-11-15T10:30:00Z"
    }
  ],
  "settings": {
    "delay": 2,
    "batchSize": 10,
    "limit": 0,
    "openMode": "newTabs"
  }
}

JSON Format (Full Backup)

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "exportDate": "2025-11-15T10:45:00Z",
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": "group-1",
      "name": "SEO Audit",
      "urls": [...],
      "settings": {...}
    },
    {
      "id": "group-2",
      "name": "Research",
      "urls": [...],
      "settings": {...}
    }
  ],
  "tags": [
    {
      "id": "tag-1",
      "name": "404",
      "color": "#FF0000"
    }
  ],
  "globalSettings": {
    "theme": "dark",
    "language": "en"
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Import Not Working

Possible causes:

• File format not supported
• File contains invalid URLs
• File encoding issues
• File too large

Solution: Verify file format (.txt, .csv, .json), check URLs are valid, ensure UTF-8 encoding, split large files into smaller chunks.

Backup File Corrupted

Possible causes:

• File was manually edited
• Download was interrupted
• Storage corruption

Solution: Use a previous backup, re-export from source, validate JSON syntax with online tool.

Export Downloads Empty File

Possible causes:

• Group has no URLs
• Browser download settings
• Extension permissions

Solution: Verify group has URLs, check browser download folder, verify extension has download permissions.

Restore Replaces Wrong Data

Possible causes:

• Wrong backup file selected
• Didn't backup current data first

Solution: Always backup current data before restoring. Check backup file date/name before importing.

What's Next?

Now that you know how to import and export data, explore these guides: