Luminous gives you two complementary tools for working with cost layer data in bulk: an Export button on the Cost Layers page (to pull data out as a spreadsheet) and dedicated import tools under Tools → Imports (to push corrected or seeded data back in). This article walks through both.
Exporting cost layer data to a spreadsheet
Use the built-in export when you need to review, audit, or archive cost layer data across many SKUs at once.
Navigate to the Cost Layers page
- In the left-hand navigation, go to Inventory → Inventory Admin dropdown → Cost Layers.
- The page loads a table showing every active cost layer, with columns for Created date, Warehouse, SKU, Unit Cost, Total Cost, Lot Number, Remaining Qty, Quantity (a remaining/initial progress bar), Updated date, and Variance. Additional columns such as Initial Qty and Remaining Qty Cost can be turned on from the Columns panel on the right edge of the table.
Narrow the data with filters (optional)
Before exporting you can filter the table to include only the rows you need. Each column header has an inline filter field:
| Column | What you can filter by |
|---|---|
| SKU | Partial or exact SKU text |
| Warehouse | Warehouse name |
| Lot Number | Lot number text |
| Unit Cost | Exact unit cost value |
| Total Cost | Exact total cost value |
| Remaining Qty | Exact remaining quantity |
| Initial Qty | Exact initial quantity |
| Created | A specific creation date |
| Updated | A specific last-updated date |
| Variance | All layers / Standard only / Variance only |
You can also click the Filters panel icon on the right edge of the table to manage all active filters in one place, and click any column header to change the sort order — the export will honour both.
Download the export
- Once you have applied any desired filters, click the Export button in the top-right corner of the Cost Layers page.
- A progress notification appears while the file is being prepared.
- An Excel file named
cost_layers_export_YYYY-MM-DD.xlsxdownloads automatically to your browser's default download location.
The downloaded file contains exactly the rows that match your current filters, sorted as you have the table sorted. If no filters are applied, every active cost layer in your account is included.
Bulk-updating cost layer data via import
Luminous provides two import tools for bulk cost corrections and seeding, both found under Tools → Imports → Costs & Finance:
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| FIFO Cost Layer Multi-Value | Replaces all existing cost layers for a SKU + warehouse with a fresh set you define |
| Unit Cost Override | Updates the unit cost on existing active layers in place, without changing quantities |
For full step-by-step instructions, template field definitions, import modes, validation rules, and a guide to choosing the right tool, see the dedicated article:
How do I perform a cost-layer import and bulk cost override for SKUs in Luminous?
⚠️ Both import tools make destructive changes to cost data. Download and review the template, then run a small test batch before processing your full catalog.
Choosing the right approach
| Goal | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Review or audit current cost layers | Export from the Cost Layers page |
| Provide data to a partner or for offline analysis | Export, optionally filtered by SKU or warehouse |
| Correct unit costs that were entered incorrectly | Unit Cost Override import |
| Seed or fully restructure FIFO layer history | FIFO Cost Layer Multi-Value import |