Import a menu

Every import source, its constraints, the import status flow, and how to resolve failures.

You do not type a menu from scratch. tamr reads whatever you already have, a PDF, photos, a website link, or a point-of-sale system, and turns it into structured dishes with names, prices, descriptions, and categories that you can then edit.

The tamr Menus screen, with options to import a menu or start blank
Menus. Import a menu or start blank, then manage every menu from here.
Importing requires an admin role

Only organization admins can import and edit menus. If you do not see the import controls, ask an admin on your team.

Choose a source

From Menus, select Import a menu, then choose how you want to bring it in.

Paste a linkrecommended
A public URL to your website's menu page, or a direct link to a PDF. Must be reachable without a login.
Upload a PDFfile
A single PDF file, however it was designed.
Upload photosimages
Photos of a printed menu, PNG, JPEG, or WebP. tamr stitches multiple pages together.
Start from scratchblank
An empty menu you build dish by dish. Best for short menus that change often.

Import step by step

  1. 1
    Open the importer

    On Menus, select Import a menu. Pick a source, or choose Start blank to skip straight to the editor.

  2. 2
    Add your source

    Paste the link, drop the PDF, or add the photos. tamr validates the file type and size before it uploads.

  3. 3
    Let tamr read it

    Select Read this menu. The file uploads to your private storage, then tamr reserves the menu and opens the editor so you can watch it fill in.

  4. 4
    Review and refine

    Imports are a starting point. Check prices, categories, and any garbled items, then complete the dishes. See edit dishes →.

Track import progress

An import moves through a short sequence of stages, shown on the menu tile and in the editor.

  • Stages run in order: Queued then Fetching then Extracting, ending in Done or Failed.
  • The menu list refreshes automatically while any import is running, so progress updates without a reload.
  • Dish photos pulled from a source fill in shortly after the text. A shimmer marks any image still loading.
  • You can leave the page. The import keeps running, and you can return to it.

Resolve a failed import

Not enough credits

If an import would cost more credits than you have, tamr stops before charging you: "This import would cost more credits than you have." Top up from Settings → Credits, or start a menu from scratch. See how credits work →.

The import says 'Too many imports running'.

There is a limit on how many imports can run at once. Let one finish, then start the next.

It says 'Couldn't start the import'.

This is almost always a source problem: a link that requires a login, a corrupt file, or an unreadable scan. Try a cleaner source, or start blank and type.

A menu tile shows a red border and 'Failed'.

Use Try again on the tile to re-run the same import, or Delete to remove it. A failed import never charges you for a finished result.

The import missed or garbled some dishes.

Low-quality PDFs and photos can produce a few errors. Open the menu editor and fix them by hand, or re-import from a cleaner source.

Related

Edit dishes

Clean up prices, add allergens and photos, and write descriptions.

Connect your POS

Sync a menu straight from your point of sale instead of importing files.

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Last reviewed July 15, 2026