Turn an existing spreadsheet into an estimate or invoice

Can I import a spreadsheet I already use? Yes. Attach an Excel .xlsx or .csv file to Dave AI and ask it to recreate the estimate or invoice in Dave. You can start from your existing template or a document exported from another system, instead of typing every line item again.

Dave uses the file as a reference to build an editable draft. You still review the result before sending it to your client.

Recreate an estimate

1. Open the right project and its Estimate tab. Create or open an editable estimate.
2. Open AI Estimate Builder and use the attachment button to choose your spreadsheet. On the web, you can also drag the file into the message area.
3. Wait for the attachment to finish uploading. If an error appears, fix it or remove the file before continuing.
4. Describe what you want: “Recreate this Excel estimate in Dave. Keep the line items, quantities, and prices. This is for the Smith kitchen project.” If the workbook has several sheets, name the one to use.
5. Answer any follow-up questions. On an empty estimate, the first generated items can be added automatically. When proposed changes appear, review and accept or reject them.
6. Check the draft against your spreadsheet, then use Review & Send when it is ready.

For a reusable template, attach a filled-in example when you have one and tell Dave which values should change for the new job. A blank template gives Dave a structure, but it still needs the job details and prices.

Recreate an invoice

Open Ask Dave from Home or navigation and attach the file. For example: “Create a draft invoice for the Smith kitchen project from this CSV. Keep the quantities and unit prices. Ask me about anything missing.”

Identify the exact client and project, answer follow-up questions, and open the resulting invoice to review it. Creating the draft does not send it. Follow the send an invoice steps when you are ready.

Which files can I use?

• Excel (.xlsx) and UTF-8 CSV (.csv) files upload directly. For an older .xls file, use Excel’s Save As to create an .xlsx copy first.
• From Google Sheets, download a Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) or CSV copy, then attach that file.
• If another system exports only a PDF, attach that instead. JPG, PNG, WebP, and GIF images are also supported.
• Attach up to five files per message, each 10 MB or smaller. Large or complex spreadsheets may still exceed the reading limit; export just the relevant estimate, invoice, or sheet and try again.

Save your workbook before uploading so its calculated values are up to date. Dave reads saved cell values; it does not run spreadsheet formulas, macros, or linked data. Spreadsheet formatting, charts, and images do not transfer into the draft. If the visual layout matters, attach a PDF reference as well.

What should I check?

Compare the client, project, scope, line items, quantities, units, prices, taxes, discounts, payment terms, and total with your original. Tell Dave what to correct or edit the draft yourself. Do not assume a missing value is zero.

This workflow recreates an individual estimate or invoice. It does not automatically migrate your whole account, historical payments, client list, or every row in a multi-job workbook. Start with one document and confirm the result before moving on to the next.