Import a formula from text, CSV, photo, PDF, or SoapCalc

What you will accomplish

You will turn an existing recipe into a reviewable Formuley formula. You will choose the matching source type, inspect the extraction, reconcile imported names with your raw-material library, and confirm the formula only after the data is correct.

Before you start

Collect the cleanest source you have. A structured CSV is usually easier to review than an image. Keep the original source open so you can compare names, amounts, phases, method notes, and totals. Formula import is available on Maker and higher tiers; importing multiple recipes from one text submission is a Pro workflow.

Choose the import source

1. Open the importer. Go to /formulas/import.
2. Choose Paste text. Use this for a recipe copied from a document, note, or email.
3. Choose CSV / spreadsheet. Upload or paste CSV data exported from a spreadsheet.
4. Choose Photo / PDF. Upload a clear recipe image or PDF for assisted extraction.
5. Choose SoapCalc output. Paste the text output from a SoapCalc recipe.

Select one source for the current import. You can return to the Source step if you chose the wrong format.

Preview the extracted recipe

1. Provide the source data. Paste the text, add the CSV, or upload the Photo / PDF requested by the selected source.
2. Run the extraction. Continue to Preview after the source is accepted.
3. Compare the preview with the original. Check the formula name, raw-material rows, amounts, units, phases, and any method or notes that were detected.
4. Correct the source when the preview is incomplete. Return to Source, improve the input, and extract it again.

Assisted extraction is a starting point, especially for scans and photos. Do not treat a confident-looking preview as verification.

Reconcile raw materials

1. Open Reconcile. Review every imported row and its suggested match.
2. Accept only the correct library record. Similar names can represent different grades, suppliers, or concentrations.
3. Search for a better match when needed. Select the raw material that the original recipe actually specifies.
4. Resolve every required row. Do not confirm the import while an important raw material is unmatched or mapped incorrectly.

SoapCalc output may include NaOH or KOH, lye and water values, superfat, a water method, and oil rows. Verify those details against the original output as well as the oil mappings.

Confirm and save

1. Open Confirm. Review the reconciled composition and formula details one last time.
2. Set the formula details. Complete the name, type, status, category, or description that should be saved.
3. Check the composition total. Correct missing or duplicated rows before creating the formula.
4. Create the formula. Save only after the confirmed view matches the source.
5. Open the saved formula. Use the formula builder to finish method steps, targets, or notes that were not present in the import.

Check your work

• The saved formula has the intended name, type, status, and base yield.
• Every imported row points to the correct raw-material record.
• Amounts, units, and phases match the original source.
• Percentage-based compositions total 100 where required.
• Lye, water, and superfat details from SoapCalc output match the source.
• No extraction warning remains unexplained.

If something does not look right

• If CSV columns are not recognized, use clear headers for raw-material name and percentage or amount, then preview again.
• If a Photo / PDF omits rows, upload a sharper, correctly oriented source or use Paste text instead.
• If a suggested raw-material match is wrong, replace it during Reconcile rather than editing around it later.
• If confirmation is blocked, resolve unmatched rows and invalid totals first.

Next steps

• Finish the formula in the formula builder
• Review your raw-material library
• Scale the confirmed formula