# How do I add partner references afterwards when the partner name column was empty in my Excel upload?

**URL:** <https://community.dockflow.com/t/how-do-i-add-partner-references-afterwards-when-the-partner-name-column-was-empty-in-my-excel-upload/103>\
**Category:** How-to Q&A\
**Tags:** area-data-import\
**Created:** [November 6, 2026, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.dockflow.com/t/how-do-i-add-partner-references-afterwards-when-the-partner-name-column-was-empty-in-my-excel-upload/103 "2026-11-06T14:49:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dockflow](https://community.dockflow.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@dockflow](https://community.dockflow.com/u/dockflow)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2026, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.dockflow.com/t/how-do-i-add-partner-references-afterwards-when-the-partner-name-column-was-empty-in-my-excel-upload/103/1 "2026-11-06T14:49:42Z")

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Use a bulk import update to add the partner reference to the existing tradeflow.

1. Make sure the partner already exists in Dockflow. The partner name must match exactly with a partner already added to the account.

2. Go to Dashboard → Tradeflows and click Import.

3. Upload a file that contains the Internal Reference of the existing tradeflow, the Partner Name, and the Partner Reference. Partner Reference is a partner field you can include in the import.

4. Fill the Partner Name column. Do not leave it blank. A blank field in an update file clears that field in the tradeflow.

5. Run the import. If the Internal Reference already exists, the import updates the tradeflow instead of creating a new one. The partner reference is then added to the existing tradeflow.

**Example**  
A shipment was uploaded with an internal reference and a partner reference, but the partner name cell was empty. Later, an update file is uploaded with the same internal reference, the exact partner name from the Partners list, and the partner reference. The existing tradeflow is updated, and the partner reference now appears with the partner.