Import Recipe

Start on the Recipe screen.

To import a recipe into Grocery-Tracker, you must first make a recipe import file that Grocery-Tracker can read.

Grocery-Tracker uses a Comma-Separated-Values file (.csv) to import from. The file is easily defined using either a text editor or a spreadsheet.

A Grocery-Tracker recipe-import file is made up of 3 parts:

Name - defines recipe name and optional description.
Directions - defines recipe directions
Ingredients - defines recipe ingredients

When creating your file, you need to enter keywords to define what section comes next.
The keywords are:

Name
Directions
Ingredients

Each keyword has mandatory fields and some have optional fields:

name                         ( keyword required so app knows name is next )
recipe-name, optional-recipe-description
directions               ( keyword to define that directions are next )
recipe-directions
ingredients                 ( keyword denoting that ingredients are next)
ingredient-quantity, ingredient-unit, ingredient-name

After each keyword, enter the information for that section as shown in this example:

Once you make your import-file, you must then transfer the file to your Android device, placing it into the devices external memory.

External memory is usually the SD-card, but on some devices it is defined differently.

Once the file is on the device, you must disconnect your device from your computer (if connected) so that Apps can access the external memory.

Now that your file is on your device, the last step is importing the file into your Recipes.

Navigate to where your recipe file is.

Select your recipe file.

Files that end in ".csv" will have
a green check mark denoting
them as possible files.

Improper files will have a red
"X" next to them.

Tap the Options button and
then select Import Recipes.

If the recipe name conflicts with an existing recipe, you will be given choices on how to handle the issue.

Finally, the loaded recipe.

Sample Recipe

Name
Skillet-Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients
1 1/2,pounds,"Red Bliss potatoes , small or medium, scrubbed & unpeeled"
2,tablespoons,olive oil
3/4,teaspoon,kosher salt (or sea salt)
1/4,teaspoon,ground black pepper

Directions
"If using small potatoes (1 1/2- to 2-inch diameter), halve each potato. If using medium potatoes (2- to 3-inch diameter), quarter each potato to create 3/4- to 1-inch chunks. Rinse potatoes in cold water and drain well; spread on clean kitchen towel and thoroughly pat dry.",,
"Heat oil in heavy-bottomed 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add potatoes cut side down in single layer; cook, without stirring, until golden brown (oil should sizzle but not smoke), 5 to 7 minutes."

If you have any commas within your data, you must surround the field in double "quotes" as shown above. Also, as shown above, each data-set must be on a separate line.