User manual upload

Overview

User manual upload creates team products from instruction manuals and user guides — PDF or Word documents that describe how to use a product rather than formal specification datasheets. Tendersight reads the document and extracts product information automatically, with optional AI processing to interpret prose into pursuit-ready specifications.

Use this when you have operator manuals, installation guides, or safety documentation instead of manufacturer spec sheets. It is Path B on the new product hub for instruction-style documents.

Tip: Before you upload, confirm you have:

Searchable PDFs (not scanned images without OCR)
One product per manual when possible — combined manuals may merge specs
Product categories for assignment step
AI credits if enabling processing — manuals rarely have structured tables
Plan to verify extraction in specifications viewer afterward

Important: This module accepts PDF, DOC, DOCX only — no Excel or CSV. Spreadsheet catalogs belong in CSV import or Datasheet upload.

User manual vs datasheet upload

Aspect	User manual upload	Datasheet upload
Typical document	Instructions, safety, operation	Spec tables, dimensions, certifications
Accepted formats	PDF, DOC, DOCX	PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, CSV
Expected product count	No — inferred from structure	Yes per file
Extraction focus	Product identity + usable attributes	Technical specifications
List badge	Uploaded user manual	Uploaded datasheet
AI value	High — prose needs interpretation	Medium — tables often parse without AI

When to use

Good fit	Poor fit
Operator or installation manual PDF	Formal spec datasheet → Datasheet upload
Instruction booklet without spec tables	Hundreds of SKU rows → CSV import
Safety and operation documentation	Single typed product → Manual input
Legacy docs only available as manuals	Live e-commerce → Connected services

How to open

Path	Steps
From new product hub	Click User manual card

Page heading: Upload user manual

Three-step wizard

Step	Title	Description
1	Upload files	Upload your user manual files
2	Assign categories	Organize by product categories
3	Review & process	Choose processing options

Desktop horizontal stepper; mobile uses Back / Next only.

Step 1 — Upload files (numbered)

Open dropzone — Select user manual files or drag-and-drop.
Supported: PDF, DOC, DOCX files only.
Review uploaded list — filename, icon, Remove (X) per file.
Unlike datasheet upload, there is no expected product count — extraction infers product boundaries.
Next: Assign categories when ≥ 1 file present.
Back links to new product hub.

Step 2 — Assign categories (numbered)

Identical category assignment to datasheet and CSV flows:

Uncategorized file list — search, multiselect, drag-and-drop.
Categories panel — drop targets per category.
Create category inline sheet.
Continue with {N} items — uncategorized files still import.

Keyboard: A select all shown; Escape clear selection.

Step 3 — Review & process (numbered)

Review Enable AI processing toggle:

Element	Text
Title	Enable AI processing
Description	"Automatically extract products from the uploaded manuals once processing completes."

Default on when subscription permits.
Benefits: technical offer highlights, automapping, attribute mapping.
Submit:

AI state	Button label
Enabled	Start processing + credit badge
Disabled	Create products

Back returns to step 2.

After submission

Outcome	Toast	Redirect
AI on	"AI processing started!"	Products list
AI off	"Products imported!"	Products list
Error	"An error has occurred!"	Stay on page

Monitor Processing tasks on the list. Badge: Uploaded user manual.

Verification workflow

Wait for task Completed (or product row appears).
Row menu → View specifications when datasheet/PDF attached.
Compare extracted specs to source pages.
Fix via Content sheet on the list.

Permissions

Action	Administrator	Collaborator
Upload user manuals	Yes	Yes
Assign categories	Yes	Yes
Enable AI processing	Yes*	Yes*

\*Subscription feature and AI credits required.

Best practices

Searchable PDFs over scanned images — OCR quality drives extraction.
One product per manual when possible.
Assign categories — business knowledge guides AI context.
Enable AI processing — manuals rarely have structured spec tables.
Review specifications viewer after import — verify critical specs.
Do not upload the same file as both manual and datasheet — pick the module matching document structure.

What you can and cannot do

You can

Upload multiple manuals in one batch
Leave files uncategorized
Delete imported manual-based products from the list (deletable source)
Re-upload after failed tasks

You cannot

Upload XLS, XLSX, or CSV on this module
Set expected product count per file
Edit specs on the viewer page — use Content sheet

FAQ

Why fewer file types than datasheet upload?

User manuals are typically prose PDFs or Word docs. Tabular data belongs in CSV or datasheet flows.

Can I upload the same file as both datasheet and manual?

You can, but choose the module matching structure — spec-heavy PDFs work better as datasheet.

How many products come from one manual?

Usually one unless the document clearly describes multiple products. AI determines splits.

Can I delete imported manual-based products?

Yes — Uploaded user manual source is deletable from the products list.

What if extraction quality is poor?

Edit specs via Content sheet, or re-upload searchable PDF with AI enabled.

Why is AI especially recommended here?

Manuals lack spec tables; AI interprets prose into structured catalog fields.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	Action
File not accepted on drop	XLS, CSV, etc.	Use datasheet or CSV module
Task failed in panel	Unreadable scan	Provide searchable PDF
Missing technical specs	Manual is operational only	Add specs in Content sheet
AI toggle disabled	Plan limit	Import without AI; edit manually
Thin specifications	AI off on prose doc	Re-import with AI enabled
View specifications missing	No datasheet generated yet	Wait for processing; Refresh viewer

New product hub
Datasheet upload
Products list
Specifications viewer
Product categories
Manual product create