The quick answer
Set Import Type to Transactions, Record Type to Inventory Adjustment, and Data Handling to Add for a new stock correction. Map the item's numeric internal ID to Inventory Adjustment - Adjustments : Item, then use its pencil to select Internal ID as the reference type. Adjust Qty. By is the change in stock, not the final quantity.
This illustrated local walkthrough adds 3 units to an ordinary inventory item at one existing location. Names are fictional. The screens reconstruct the workflow; forms, permissions and required fields vary by account.
Before you start
Use a role with CSV import and inventory adjustment permissions and access to the item, location, subsidiary and active adjustment account. Confirm the posting period permits entry. Subsidiary assumes OneWorld. Verify the item internal ID from the account before preparing the file. Check account, location, subsidiary and period values under their selected reference types. Confirm the starting quantity for the relevant location and transaction date; other transactions and backdated entries can affect it.
The example uses stock units and a location requiring no bins, lots, serials or inventory status detail. If those features apply, supply the required Inventory Detail fields. Multiple units of measure can also affect quantity and unit mappings. Positive adjustments change inventory value; confirm the estimated unit cost with your accounting process.
01. Check the change and identifiers
The prepared quantity-correction.csv row contains transaction External ID STOCK-CORR-18, Item ID 6572, Location Reno, Adjust Qty. By 3, Est. Unit Cost 12.00, Adjustment Account 5010 Inventory Variance and a header Memo.
Item 6572 is BR-240 Bearing Ring. Its starting quantity at Reno is 42. The file adds 3, producing 45. Entering 45 as Adjust Qty. By would add 45 instead. The chosen transaction External ID groups this adjustment and is separate from the referenced item's internal ID. Use a unique External ID when required by the import structure; rows belonging to one adjustment share the same transaction key.
02. Choose Add
Open Setup > Import/Export > Import CSV Records. Choose Transactions, Inventory Adjustment and Unicode (UTF-8), select quantity-correction.csv and click Next.
If Data Handling is set to Update, change it to Add. Update targets an existing Inventory Adjustment transaction; the existing item does not make this an Update import. The walkthrough corrects this choice before running. It does not reproduce or diagnose every possible cause of the message “Transaction type specified is incorrect.”
03. Set the Item reference
Continue to Field Mapping. Keep External ID, Adjustment Account and Memo at the adjustment header. Map Location, Adjust Qty. By and Est. Unit Cost to Inventory Adjustment - Adjustments line fields.
Expand Inventory Adjustment - Adjustments and map Item ID to Item. Click the pencil on that mapping, choose Internal ID and confirm. Under the default Names setting, 6572 would be interpreted as an item name. Do not use this item ID to identify the adjustment transaction.
Set the Subsidiary default to Example Supply Co., Date to 10/15/2026 and Posting Period to Oct 2026. The CSV supplies line Location Reno. Header Adjustment Location is a separate header field. Check account restrictions and any additional fields required by the selected form.
04. Run once and verify
Continue, enter Single item stock correction as the Import Map Name and choose Save & Run. Open Import Job Status. Confirm the status, message and CSV Response. The illustration shows one record imported successfully.
Open Transactions > Inventory > Adjust Inventory > List and view the new adjustment. The illustration is IA638; your account's document numbering may differ. Check the item, location, date, subsidiary, account and posting period.
The saved line shows Qty. On Hand 42, Adjust Qty. By 3, New Quantity 45 and Est. Unit Cost 12.00. The header estimated total value is 36.00. This changes quantity and inventory valuation without editing the item master selling price. The initial estimate is not guaranteed final inventory valuation. Confirm the saved transaction and GL Impact; costing method, transaction date and order, and account settings can affect the final amount.
After success, check the created record before retrying Add. Repeating a correction can change stock again. For a failed job, inspect CSV Response and fix the actual error first.
Common questions
Should I use Update because the item already exists?
Use Add when creating a new Inventory Adjustment. Update requires an identifier for an existing adjustment transaction, such as that transaction’s Internal ID or External ID. The item internal ID only references the line item.
Where does the item internal ID belong?
Map it to Inventory Adjustment - Adjustments : Item and select Internal ID as the reference type. Keep it separate from the adjustment's transaction identity.
Does Adjust Qty. By set the final quantity?
It is a relative change. With 42 on hand, 3 adds three units and gives 45. Inventory Worksheet has different absolute-quantity semantics and restrictions.
Can a quantity correction affect accounting value?
Yes. In this positive adjustment, 3 units at estimated unit cost 12.00 produce estimated value 36.00. Confirm the final inventory valuation and GL Impact on the saved transaction; selling price is unrelated.