PREPARE YOUR PRICE LIST
Is SKU 001 really the same as SKU 1?
A product identifier is a label, even if it contains only digits. Removing a leading zero can change its meaning. Before comparing prices, check that both lists preserve the supplier's original identifiers.
One missing zero. Two unmatched rows.
The previous list has SKU 001; the updated list has SKU 1. Both cost US$120 for 12 items. The result is one removed SKU and one added SKU, with no matched price change. Confirm product identity before editing the codes.
Try exact SKU matchingOpens a real comparison using fictional data. No account needed.
Three small differences worth checking
| Previous SKU | Updated SKU | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | 1 | Leading zeros |
| abc-01 | ABC-01 | Letter case |
| AB-12 | AB12 | Punctuation |
That does not prove they are different products. It means the tool lacks enough information to merge them safely. Confirm the supplier's identification rules before changing either file.
Prepare a comparison without guessing
- Keep the supplier's original file. Make changes to a working copy.
- Inspect a few identifiers in a plain-text view of the CSV, especially ones beginning with zero. The file contents matter, not just how a spreadsheet displays a cell.
- Check both lists use the same identifier system. A supplier SKU and your internal catalog number are not interchangeable.
- If formatting was changed, recover the original identifiers from an authoritative source. Adding zeros to every short number can create incorrect matches.
- Compare the lists. Investigate unexpected added and removed rows before interpreting the price changes.
When you need a mapping table
If a supplier has deliberately changed product codes, retain an explicit old-to-new mapping verified against the product specification. UnitCost Desk does not apply mapping tables or fuzzy matching. Prepare consistent identifiers in your own system first, or use a tool that supports that workflow.
Two rows sharing one identifier are another problem: the tool holds duplicate SKUs for review. Deleting a row without checking its pack size, specification and commercial terms can hide a legitimate distinction.
Make next month easier
Sign in before selecting your own files. Save column settings to reuse next month, and explicitly save individual quotes to build price history. Free accounts have 100 saved entries; Pro expands that shared capacity to 1,000 for US$19/month. Original files and full reports are not stored.