Introduction
AisleFlow is a dual-purpose grocery management tool designed to streamline both household inventory tracking and in-store shopping. It allows you to organize Items by where they are stored at home and where they are found in the Store.
QuickStart
1. Add Items
Populate your Inventory screen with Items you regularly buy. You can assign them to your Storage Areas, specific Stores, and even Store Section in the store to organize your Shopping List.
2. Plan Your Trip
Use the Inventory screen as you walk through your home and use the Quantity Steppers (/) to indicate what you need.
3. Go shop
Tap Go shop from the menu to go to the Shopping screen. Here, you'll see your Shopping List organized by Store Section.
As you pick up Items, hit the Add to Cart button to mark it as found.
Press Checkout when you're done your shopping trip.
4. Track your Spending
You can view Reports of Items you've checked out by selecting a Report on the Reports screen.
You can adjust how your Report looks and hit Save As… to reuse this Report in the future.
You can also press Export To PDF to save your Report as a document.
If you need more help...
You can find full documentation by pressing the Help button on the settings screen (accessible by pressing the Open Menu) button on the top-left corner of any screen.
Most screens and dialogs also have a Help button to view information for that specific part of AisleFlow
How to use AisleFlow
Adding and Editing
Items
See also: Add Item / Edit Item
You can add Items from the Inventory screen by tapping the Floating Add Button. When editing an Item, you can define:
- Name: The Name of the product.
- Storage Area (optional): Where this Item is kept in your home (e.g., Pantry).
- Store (optional): The specific Store where you buy this Item.
- Store section (optional): The aisle or Section in the Store (e.g., Produce, Dairy).
- Default price: The typical Unit Price, used for estimating trip Total.
- Taxable: Whether sales Tax applies to this Item.
- High priority (Essential): Marks the Item with a star for quick filtering.
- Tags: Add custom Tag (e.g., "Vegan", "Snack", "Kids' Lunches") for filtering.
- Image URL (optional): An optional image URL for visual reference.
If Inventory Mode is enabled in the Settings screen, you can also set:
- Target / Ideal Quantity: The Quantity you would ideally like to keep On Hand. This can be especially helpful in settings like restaurants, where you might want to keep a certain minimum amount of an Item On Hand. AisleFlow will figure out the Needed Quantity based on how much you have On Hand, and this Target / Ideal Quantity.
You can also edit, manage and rearrange Items from the Inventory screen, Shopping screen, Storage Area Details screen, and the Store Section Details screen.
Storage Areas
See also: Create Storage Area / Edit Storage Area
Storage Areas represent physical locations in your home (e.g., "Fridge", "Basement Freezer"). Saving Items to Storage Areas helps organize your Inventory screen.
You can Manage these from the Storage screen or add them quickly while creating/editing an Item.
Stores
See also: Create Store / Edit Store
Stores represent the physical shops you visit.
You can manage them from the Stores screen or add them quickly while creating/editing an Item.
Assigning Items to Stores allows your list on the Shopping screen to group Items by location.
Store Sections
See also: Create Section / Edit Section
Store Sections represent aisles or departments within a Store (e.g., "Aisle 4", "Bakery"). You can manage them from the Store Details screen, accessed by clicking a store on the Stores screen, or add them quickly while creating/editing an item.
These are used to sort your list on the Shopping screen so you can navigate the Store efficiently.
Note
Pro Tip: Map Your Route
You can rearrange the display order of Items, Storage Areas, Stores, and Store Sections by long-pressing the 6-dot icon and dragging them.
These change how they're displayed on the Inventory screen and Shopping screen. Try organizing them to match exactly how you walk through your home, drive to your Stores, or walk the Store Section to make checking off your list seamless!
Preparing a Shopping List
The Inventory screen is your command center for planning a trip:
Set Needs
Use the Quantity Steppers (/) on any Item to increase the Needed amount. That's it! Items that are Needed (Needed > 0) will automatically show up on the Shopping screen.
If Using Inventory Mode
If Inventory Mode is on, the Quantity Stepper (/) is then used to record how much you "Have" on-hand instead of how much you need.
In this case, the Shopping screen figures out the Needed amount by calculating:
(Target / Ideal Quantity) - (Quantity On Hand) = (Needed Quantity)
Pressing the ( ) button past zero lets you mark how many you need even if you don't have an ideal Quantity set for that Item.
Features to Help you Manage your Inventory
See also:
Smart Stock
Tap the Smart Stock button on the top bar menu to automatically calculate Needed Quantity for each Item based on your Purchase History, consumption habits, and time since last purchase.
Important
This will apply to the whole inventory and add many Items to the Shopping List. Review the results to ensure they are accurate before shopping
Filter
Tap the Filter button on the top bar menu to bring up the Filter menu.
Use the Filter menu to filter Items by Tags, Essentials, Store, Price and Status.
Tip
There's also a quick Essentials toggle for filtering by Essentials in the top bar of the Inventory screen.
Search
Press the Search icon to bring up a Search bar to find specific Items.
Hide Items
You can move Items to the Hidden Items list (at the very bottom) for Items you may not purchase often (so something like pumpkins doesn't clutter your list all year).
To hide an Item, click on the three dots at the end of the Item's row in the Inventory screen and click the Hide button.
Delete Items
To Delete an Item, click on the three dots at the end of the Item's row in the Inventory screen and click the Delete button.
Expand All /Collapse All Storage Areas
Each Storage Area in the Inventory screen can be collapsed or expanded to make browsing your inventory easier.
To Expand or Collapse a Storage Area, click the Storage Area's Name in the Inventory screen. You can also expand or collapse all Storage Areas from the top bar menu.
Review your Shopping List
Check out the Planned Spending reports on the Reports screen to have a deep look at the Items you plan to by. Sort by Price, filter by Store or Tags, and so much more! If you need to make some decisions about your shopping plan, the Reports screen can help you figure it all out.
Shopping
Go to the Shopping screen to see all the Items you currently need, organized by Stores and Store Section.
You can reach the Shopping screen from the menu or by clicking Go shop on the Inventory screen.
Here, you can:
- Adjust how many you're actually purchasing using the Quantity Stepper (/) (for example, if you need 2 milk cartons, but they only have 1)
- Add Items to your Cart as you pick them up.
- Record a different Purchase Price for an Item (say, for example, if an Item is on sale). Not crucial, but this can help with reviewing your spending
- Defer an Item for this shopping trip to get it out of your way (for example, if an Item is out of stock)
- Edit Items on the go
Adding Items to the Cart
As you pick up Items in the Store, tap the Add to Cart Button on the Item row.
This moves the Item to the Cart section at the bottom of the screen to get it out of your way.
Note
You can return In Cart Items back to the Shopping List by scrolling to the Cart section below the Shopping List, and pressing Return to list
Adjust the Purchase Price
The Purchase Price is the Price that will be recorded in your shopping history on Checkout.
You can find a field for the actual Purchase Price by clicking the Expand button on the Item row.
This field defaults to the Item's Default price that you saved when creating it.
Tip
While not crucial to adjust the Purchase Price, it can be helpful in reviewing past spending from the Reports screen.
Deferring Items
See also Select Defer Reason
Deferring an Item will remove it from your Shopping List, and move it down to Deferred Items at the very bottom of the list. This can be helpful to get the Item out of your way if an Item is out of stock, or if you decided not to buy it today.
To Defer an Item:
1. Expand the Item row by clicking the Expand button on the Item row.
2. Press the Defer button
3. Select a Deferred Reason for deferring the purchase from the Deferred Reason dropdown (or create a new Deferred Reason if needed. ex: "Out of Stock"). Press the Save button when you're finished.
Note
You can return Deferred Items back to the Shopping List by scrolling to the Deferred Items section below the Shopping List, and pressing Return to list.
Checkout
When you're done your shopping trip, press the Checkout button at the bottom of the screen. This will finalize all the details you recorded while shopping.
What happens with Cart Items ?
Items in your Cart are recorded as Purchases in your history. Each Item's " Needed Quantity" is adjusted by how many you purchased.
For example:
- If you needed 2 loafs of bread and purchased 2, the new Needed Quantity is now 0, clearing it from the Shopping screen
- If you needed 2 loafs of bread but they only bought 1, your Needed Quantity is 2-1=1, keeping it on your Shopping List to pick up next time.
What happens with Deferred Items ?
Since you didn't actually purchase these Items, their Needed Quantity isn't changed. They will return back to your Shopping List for the next shopping trip.
You can see a history of Deferred Items in the Reports screen under Deferred Items
What happens with Items left in the Shopping List ?
Just like Deferred Items, these are Items you didn't actually purchase. Their Needed Quantity stays the same and these Items will remain in your Shopping List for the next trip.
Viewing your Shopping History
Go to the Reports screen to view your "Past Spending". You can view your Purchase History grouped by Store, Item, or Date.
Screens
Inventory
See also:
The Inventory screen is the central hub for managing your household stock and planning your shopping trips.
TopBar
The top bar contains several tools to help you quickly manage and review your inventory.
Search
Tap the Search icon to quickly find specific Items by Name.
Essentials Toggle
Instantly filter your list to show only Items marked as "High priority" (starred).
Only visible when you have Items that are marked as "High priority". If you have no essential Items, this icon is hidden.
Go shop
Once you're done planning, tap here to jump directly to the Shopping screen with your current list.
Inventory Mode Toggle
Toggles your view to support tracking "Ideal Quantities" and current stock levels On Hand, instead of number of Items that you need.
See also Set Needs
Show Total
Calculates and displays the estimated Total cost of all the Items currently marked as needed. The Total will appear anchored to the bottom of the screen.
Filter
Open advanced filtering options to narrow your list down by Tags, Stores, Unit Price range, and current Status.
Expand All /Collapse All
Quickly open or close all Storage Area headers at once to make navigating long lists easier.
Smart Stock
See also Smart Stock
Let AisleFlow automatically populate your "Needed" quantities based on your past shopping history and consumption habits.
Adding Items
Use the Floating Add Button in the bottom corner to quickly create a new Item and add it to your inventory.
Item List
Your Items are automatically grouped by their Storage Areas (e.g., Pantry, Fridge). Tap the header of any Storage Area to collapse or expand that group.
Item Row
Each row gives you a quick snapshot of an Item and lets you manage its stock.
Quantity Stepper (/)
See also Set Needs
The Quantity Stepper allows you to set how many Items you need to purchase. It is used differently depending on whether Inventory Mode is active or not.
Standard Mode
Use the Quantity Stepper (/) buttons to directly set how many of this Item you need to buy.
Inventory Mode
If enabled, use the Quantity Stepper (/) buttons to record how much of the Item you currently have On Hand. AisleFlow handles the math to figure out what you need based on your Target / Ideal Quantity.
Essential Toggle
Tap the star icon to toggle whether an Item is a high-priority Essential Item. This can be helpful to filter for the most essential Items if only you're only planning a quick, partial shopping trip.
Item Menu Actions
Tapping the three dots at the end of an Item's row opens a menu with additional options.
Hide
Moves the Item out of your Shopping List and into the "Hidden Items" section. Great for seasonal Items or things you rarely buy.
Edit
Opens the Edit Item to modify the Item's details.
Delete
Permanently deletes the Item from your Database.
Hidden Items List
At the very bottom of the Inventory screen is a collapsible section containing all the Items you have currently hidden. You can expand this section to manage these Items or unhide them when you need them again.
Shopping
See also: Shopping
The Shopping screen is your active companion for when you are at the Store. It organizes the Items you need to buy so you can navigate the aisles efficiently.
TopBar
Filter essentials
Quickly filter the Shopping List to see only "High priority" (starred) Items.
Filter
Filter the Shopping List by specific Stores, Unit Price Ranges, or Tags.
Shopping List
Items you need to buy are intelligently grouped first by Store, and then by Store Section (Aisles). You can tap the Shopping List header to collapse or expand this entire section.
Store Header
Displays the Store Name.
Store Section Headers
Displays the Store Section Name.
Item Row
Each row shows the Items Name and how many you need to buy. You have several tools to manage the Item as you shop.
Item Name and Needed Quantity
Shows the Name and how many you need to buy based on your work on the Inventory screen.
Quantity Stepper (/)
Adjust the actual Quantity you are picking up (for example, if you need 2 cartons of milk, but they only have 1).
Add to Cart
Tap this button as you pick Items up off the shelf. This moves the Item down to your Cart section to get it out of your way.
Expand Row
Tap the Expand arrow on the row to see more details and options
Purchase Price
Adjust the actual Purchase Price you are paying for this trip (e.g., if an Item is on sale). This updates your estimated totals and is recorded in your history.
Defer
Move the Item to the "Deferred Items" list for later. You can select a Deferred Reason (like "Out of Stock") so you remember why you skipped it.
Edit
Quickly open the Edit Item to update the Item's permanent details on the go.
Cart
This collapsible section holds the Items you have marked as picked up.
- The header displays the total number of Items in your Cart alongside the running total cost for the trip.
- If you accidentally added an Item to your Cart, click the Return to list button on the Item to send it back up to the Shopping List.
Deferred List
A collapsible section near the bottom for Items you decided to skip this trip.
- It shows the Item and the specific reason you Deferred it.
- If you change your mind or find the Item at another Store, click the Return to list button to move it back to the Shopping List.
Checkout
See also Checkout.
When you're done your shopping trip, press the large Checkout button at the bottom of the screen (enabled as soon as you have at least one Item in your Cart). This finalizes the trip, records your Purchases in your history, and rolls over any deferred or unpurchased Items to your next shopping trip.
Reports
The Reports screen provides powerful tools to analyze your past spending, review your deferred Items, and accurately estimate the costs of your upcoming planned trips.
Report Types
When you open the Reports screen, you are presented with three main collapsible categories:
- Planned Spending: Analyzes Items currently on your "Needed" list.
- Purchase History: Analyzes your purchase history ( Checkout data).
- Deferred Items: Analyzes Items you skipped in previous trips.
Inside each category, you will find a set of built-in Default Reports to get you started, as well as any custom Saved Reports you have created.
- Tap on any Report to open it in the Report Viewer screen.
- Use the drag handle on your custom Saved Reports to reorder them.
- Tap the Edit icon on a Custom Report to change its Name and Description, or to permanently Delete it.
Report Viewer
When viewing a Report, your data is displayed in a structured list. If your Report includes grouping, you can tap the group headers to expand or Collapse individual sections. If enabled in your configuration, a Grand Total card will be anchored to the bottom of the list.
TopBar
The top bar provides several tools for managing and analyzing the current Report.
Configure
Opens the Report Configuration panel to completely customize what data is shown and how it is organized.
Export To PDF
Generate and save a formatted PDF document of the current Report layout so you can print or share it.
Expand All / Collapse All
Quickly open or close all group headers at once.
Save As…
Save the current configuration as a new Custom Report.
Save (Custom Reports Only)
If you have made changes to the Report's configuration, tap this to save your tweaks as a new Custom Report, or overwrite an existing Saved Report so you can easily run it again later.
Edit (Custom Reports Only)
Rename or change the Description of a Custom Report.
Report Configuration
Tapping the Configure icon opens a bottom sheet with four tabs, giving you complete control over your Report.
Fields
Select exactly which data you want to see. Depending on the Report type, you can toggle fields like Quantity, Unit Price, Total Price, Tax, and Date.
Group
Build hierarchical grouping layers. For example, you can add a rule to group your Items by Store, and then add a second rule to group them by Month.
Sort
Determine how Items are ordered within their lists or groups. You can sort alphabetically by Name, numerically by Unit Price, Purchase Price, or chronologically by Date, and choose whether the order is Asc. or Desc..
Filter
Narrow down the exact data you want to analyze. You can filter the Report to show only specific Stores, Store Sections (Aisles), Tags, or high-priority Essentials. For historical Reports, you can also filter by specific Date Ranges Unit Price Range, and Purchase Price Range.
Storage
The Storage screen allows you to define and manage the physical locations in your home where you keep your inventory (e.g., "Pantry", "Fridge", "Basement Freezer").
Managing Storage Areas
- Add New : Use the Floating Add Button to open the Create Storage Area and create a new Storage Area.
- Edit /Delete : Tap the Edit icon on a Storage Area to open the Edit Storage Area dialog, allowing you to Rename it or permanently Delete it.
- Reorder Areas : Tap, hold, and drag the drag handle next to any Storage Area to change its order. This order dictates how your Items are grouped and displayed on the main Inventory screen.
- View Items : Tap anywhere else on the row to open the Storage Area Details screen and see exactly what is kept there.
Uncategorized Items
At the bottom of your Storage Areas, you will find an Uncategorized row. This holds any Items in your inventory that haven't been assigned a specific storage location yet.
Storage Area Details
This screen displays a focused list of all the Items currently assigned to a specific Storage Area.
Actions
- Add New : Use the Floating Add Button here to to open the Add Item dialog, allowing you to create a new Item. It will automatically be assigned to this specific Storage Area, saving you a step!
- Edit /Delete : Tap the Ellipsis Menu item to immediately open the Edit Item dialog and tweak its details, or Delete an Item from the Database.
- Reorder Items : Use the drag handle on the Items to manually reorder them exactly how you want them to appear on the Inventory screen in this area.
- Manage Storage Area : Use the Edit icon in the top right of the top bar to open the Edit Storage Area dialog, allowing you to Rename it or permanently Delete it.
Stores
The Stores screen is where you manage the different physical or online shops you visit (e.g., "Local Butcher").
Managing Stores
- Add New : Use the Floating Add Button to open the Create Store and add a new Store, optionally giving it a helpful Description (like "Closes at 6PM on Sundays").
- Edit /Delete : Tap the Edit icon on a Store to open the Edit Store dialog, allowing you to Rename it or permanently Delete it.
- Reorder Stores : Use the drag handle to reorder your Stores.
- Manage Store Sections : Tap on a Store row to open the Store Details screen to map out its specific aisles and Store Sections.
Uncategorized Items
Similar to the Storage screen, an Uncategorized row sits at the bottom to catch any Items on your Shopping List that haven't been assigned to a specific Store.
Store Details
Different Stores have different layouts. This screen lets you map out the specific Store Sections (or Aisles) of a Store (e.g., "Produce", "Dairy", "Aisle 4") so that your Shopping screen is perfectly organized.
Mapping Your Store
- Add New : Use the Floating Add Button to open the Create Section and create a new Store Sections for this Store.
- Edit /Delete : Tap the Edit icon on a Store Sections to open the Edit Section dialog, allowing you to Rename it or permanently Delete it.
- Reorder Store Sections : Use the drag handle to arrange the Store Sections in the exact order you walk through the Store. AisleFlow uses this custom order to sort your active Shopping List, saving you from running back and forth across the Store!
- Edit Store : Use the Edit icon in the top right of the top bar to open the Edit Store dialog, allowing you to Rename it or permanently Delete it.
- View Section Items : Tap on a section to open the Store Section Details and see what Items you typically buy in that aisle.
Uncategorized Store Items
Items that are assigned to this Store, but haven't been given a specific section yet, will appear in the Uncategorized row at the bottom.
Store Section Details
This screen displays all the Items assigned to a specific section (aisle) within a specific Store.
Actions
- Add New : Use the Floating Add Button here to to open the Add Item dialog, allowing you to create a new Item. It will automatically be assigned to this specific and Store Section, saving you a step!
- Edit /Delete : Tap the Ellipsis button to modify an Item's details via the Edit Item dialog, or quickly Delete an Item from the Database.
- Reorder Items : Use the drag handle to organize the Items exactly how they appear on the shelf. This will change the way they display on your Shopping screen, helping you pick Items up in the order that you pass them in Store.
- Edit Section : Use the Edit icon in the top right of the top bar to open the Edit Section dialog, allowing you to Rename it or permanently Delete it.
Settings
The Settings screen allows you to customize AisleFlow to fit your exact visual preferences and functional needs.
Appearance
This section gives you complete control over how AisleFlow looks and feels:
Theme mode
Choose between forcing Light Theme, Dark Theme, or having AisleFlow automatically Follow system.
Use dynamic color
Only Applies to Android.
If enabled, AisleFlow will automatically extract colors from your device's current wallpaper to create a personalized, matching color scheme.
Theme preset
If Use dynamic color is disabled, you can select from a variety of built-in color themes. To build your own theme from scratch, select "Custom"!
Custom Colors
(Only visible if the "Custom" preset is selected)
Tap any of the color swatches (Primary, On Primary, Secondary, Tertiary) under the Light Theme or Dark Theme headers to open a color picker and hand-craft AisleFlow's palette.
Font & icon size
Use the slider to globally increase or decrease the scale of text and icons throughout AisleFlow to improve readability.
Left-handed layout
Flips certain interface elements (like the layout of the Quantity Steppers (/) on Item rows) to make one-handed use much easier for left-handed users.
Keep screen on
Enable this to prevent your phone screen from timing out and going to sleep while you are actively using the Shopping screen and Inventory screen.
Shopping
Inventory Mode
See also Set Needs.
Toggles AisleFlow's advanced stock tracking features. When enabled, your Inventory screen will shift to tracking "Quantity On Hand" vs "Target / Ideal Quantity", and AisleFlow will do the math to generate your Shopping List for you.
Auto-Set Targets
See also Auto-Set Targets Dialog.
(Requires Inventory Mode to be enabled)
Automatically calculate and set baseline Target / Ideal Quantity for your regular Items based on your actual purchase history. Tapping this opens the Auto-Set Targets dialog to configure your safety buffer.
Sales Tax Rate
Set your local default Tax rate percentage. AisleFlow uses this to calculate highly accurate estimated Grand Total for your shopping trips and Reports.
Language & Region
Language
Overrides your system default language and forces AisleFlow to display in the specific language of your choice.
Region
Overrides your system default region. This ensures that currency symbols (like $ vs € vs £) and Date/number formats are perfectly localized to your location, regardless of the language you are using.
Cloud Sync
Note
These features are currently in development and will be available in a future update!
Manage subscription
Upgrade to a premium plan to unlock cloud backups, live syncing between devices, and advanced features.
Manage family
Invite family members or roommates to sync your AisleFlow Database together, ensuring everyone always sees the latest inventory and Shopping List.
Data management
This section provides powerful tools to safely backup your Database and bulk-manage your data.
Import Data
Quickly populate your Database by importing Items, Stores, or other lists from standard CSV files.
Export Data
Export your inventory, historical spending data, or active Shopping List to a CSV file or ZIP archive so you can view it in spreadsheet software like Excel or Google Sheets.
Backup entire database
Generate a complete snapshot of your entire AisleFlow Database (including Items, Stores, Settings, and history) and save it locally to your device.
Restore database from backup
Load a previously saved AisleFlow backup file.
Warning
Doing this will completely overwrite your current Database. AisleFlow will ask you to confirm this action twice to prevent accidental data loss!
Manage Item Tags
Opens a dialog showing every custom Tag you have created. From here, you can quickly add new Tags, Delete old ones, or Rename a Tag (which automatically updates every Item currently using it).
Reset Purchase History
Want a fresh start for your Reports screen? This button completely deletes all of your past logged shopping trips and Deferred Items history, but leaves your inventory, Stores, and active Shopping List perfectly intact.
Warning
Doing this will delete your entire purchase history!
You may want to backup your database or export to CSV before you do this.
Other
Help
Opens the full documentation, broken up by section.
Contact Us
Found a bug, have a feature request, or just want to say hi? Use this to easily send an email to our support team.
You can also contact us by visiting https://ironreef.pages.dev/en/contact
Reset hidden warnings
If you ever checked a " Don't show again" box on any of AisleFlow's helpful tooltips or warning dialogs, tapping this will reset them so they appear again.
About
The About screen provides information about your current version of AisleFlow, ways to support the development of AisleFlow, and important legal documentation.
What's New
Open the release notes to see what new features, improvements, and bug fixes have been added in recent updates.
Rate this app
Enjoying AisleFlow? Tap here to be taken directly to the app store so you can leave a review and help others find AisleFlow!
Share with friends!
Easily send a quick message and download link to your friends, family, or roommates so they can start organizing their shopping trips too.
Privacy Policy
Read our privacy policy to understand how AisleFlow handles and protects your data.
You can also view the official, up-to-date online policy here
Terms & Conditions
Read our terms and conditions to understand the rules and guidelines for using AisleFlow.
You can also view the official, up-to-date online Terms & Conditions here.
Open Source Licenses
View the licenses and credits for the amazing open-source community libraries that help make AisleFlow possible.
Editors & Dialogs
Add Item / Edit Item
The Edit Item dialog is where you define the core details of the products you track and buy. You will see this dialog whenever you create a new Item or Edit an existing one.
Item Details
Fill out as much or as little detail as you need for each Item:
- Name: The Name of the product (e.g., "Milk", "Paper Towels"). This is the only strictly required field!
- Storage Area (optional): Assign the Item to a physical location in your home so it gets grouped correctly on your Inventory screen.
- Store (optional): Select the primary Store where you prefer to buy this Item.
- Store section (optional): (Only visible if a Store is selected) Pick the specific aisle or Section where this Item is located to perfectly organize your Shopping screen.
- Target / Ideal Quantity: (Only visible if Inventory Mode is enabled in the Settings screen) Set your target stock level. AisleFlow uses this to calculate exactly how many you need to buy ( Needed Quantity) based on what you currently have On Hand.
- Taxable: Toggle this on if the Item is subject to sales Tax. This ensures your estimated trip totals remain highly accurate.
- High priority: Toggle this on to mark the Item as an essential need.
- Default price: Enter the expected cost for a single unit of this Item.
- Needed Quantity: Manually set or adjust how many of this Item you currently need to buy.
- Tags: Type to Search for existing custom Tag, or create a brand new Tag on the fly to help filter and organize your Items.
- Image URL (optional): Paste a web link to an image of the product to give it a visual icon in your lists.
Quick Add
If you are adding a new Item and realize you haven't created the right Store, Store Section, or Storage Area for it yet, don't worry! You don't have to close the editor. Simply open the relevant dropdown menu and tap the Create new button at the bottom to build it right then and there.
Create Storage Area / Edit Storage Area
This dialog is used to create or Edit the physical locations where you keep your inventory at home.
Details
- Name: Provide a Name for the Storage Area (e.g., "Main Pantry", "Basement Freezer"). This field is required!
Actions
- Save: Confirm and apply your changes.
- Delete: If you are editing an existing Storage Area, use the Delete icon to permanently remove it.
Note
Items inside a deleted Storage Area will safely be moved to "Uncategorized"
Create Store / Edit Store
This dialog allows you to create a new Store or modify an existing one in your Database.
Details
- Name: Give your Store a clear Name (e.g., "Walmart" or "Corner Market"). This field is required!
- Description: (Optional) Add a helpful note about the Store, such as its operating hours or a specific street location.
Actions
- Save: Confirm and apply your changes.
- Delete: If you are editing an existing Store, a Delete icon will appear in the dialog. Tapping this will permanently remove the Store from AisleFlow
Create Section / Edit Section
This dialog lets you define specific Store Sections or aisles within a particular Store so you can perfectly route your shopping trips.
Details
- Name: Enter the Name of the section or aisle (e.g., "Produce", "Dairy", "Aisle 4"). This field is required!
Actions
- Save: Confirm and apply your changes.
- Delete: If you are editing an existing section, tap the Delete icon to permanently remove it.
Note
Items assigned to a deleted section will simply become "Uncategorized" for that Store).
Select Defer Reason
When you choose to Defer an Item on your active Shopping List, this dialog appears to help you record why you skipped it. This is incredibly useful for tracking out-of-stock patterns or Price issues over time!
Reason
Tap to select a Deferred Reason from your previously created list (e.g., "Out of Stock", "Too Expensive").
Quick Add
If the Deferred Reason you need isn't listed, open the dropdown and tap the Add new reason… button at the very bottom to create it instantly.
Cancel
Close the dialog without selecting the Deferred Reason
Save
Save, committing to the selected Deferred Reason, and moving the Item to the Deferred Items list on the Shopping screen.
Manage
Tap the Manage button to open the advanced manager, where you can Manage your existing Deferred Reasons.
Manage Deferred Reasons
Accessible from the main Select Defer Reason dialog, this screen lists all your custom Deferred Reasons and gives you full control over them.
Edit
Rename an existing Deferred Reason.
Note
Updating a reason's Name here will also update the Name on any Items you've Deferred in the past!
Delete
Permanently remove a Deferred Reason from your Database.
Add New
Type a new Deferred Reason into the text field at the top and save it to add it to your list.
Done
Close the dialog when you've finished making the desired changes
Edit Report / Save Report As…
This dialog appears when you choose to save a newly customized Report configuration, or when you tap the Edit icon on an existing Saved Report from the Reports screen.
Report Details
- Name: Give your Custom Report a clear, recognizable title (e.g., "Monthly Grocery Spending" or "Missing Pantry Essentials"). This is required.
- Description: (Optional) Add a brief note explaining what the Report is filtering or grouping so you remember exactly what it tracks.
Actions
- Save: Saves the Report's Name, Description, and its exact configuration (fields, groups, sorts, and filters) so you can easily run it again later with one tap.
- Delete: If you are editing a Report you previously saved, you will see a Delete icon in the dialog. Tap this to permanently remove the Custom Report from your dashboard.
Note
You cannot Delete or Edit the built-in Default Reports!
Export Data / Import Data
This dialog allows you to safely backup or restore your Database information using spreadsheet files.
Data Types
You can selectively choose which data you want to import or export:
- Items: Your grocery list Items, their details, and Tags.
- Stores: The Stores you regularly visit.
- Storage Areas: The Storage Areas in your home.
- Store Sections: The aisles or Store Sections within your stores.
- Purchase History: Your past purchases and skipped/deferred Items.
- All (Backup/Zip): A complete backup of everything above.
File Formats
When exporting individual categories like Items or Stores, AisleFlow will generate a standard .csv file.
However, when exporting Purchase History or All (Backup/Zip) data, the app will package everything into a single .zip file containing multiple tightly-linked CSV files to keep your data perfectly organized. When importing these options back in, simply provide the .zip file, and AisleFlow will handle the rest!
Formatting and Dependencies
Important
When importing data, the names of your Items, Stores, and Store Sections must be precise!
If you are importing Purchase History (purchases or deferrals), the Items mentioned in your file must already exist in your Database. If an Item name in the history file doesn't match an existing one, the app cannot link the purchase and will automatically skip it. It's highly recommended to import your Items first before importing your Purchase History.
Bulk Editing and Duplicates
If you import an Item or Store with a name that already exists in your Database, the app will not create a messy duplicate. Instead, it will intelligently update the existing entry with the new details from your spreadsheet. This makes exporting, editing on your computer, and re-importing a fantastic way to bulk-edit your data!
CSV Column Requirements
When preparing your CSV files, order matters. You do not need to use these exact header names, but the columns must appear in this specific order:
- Items (
items.csv) - Expected Columns: Name, Storage Area, Store, Section, Taxable (0/1), Price, Image URL, High Priority (0/1), Tags (semicolon separated), Ideal Qty (Optional)
- Note: At least 4 columns (up to Section) are required, and Name is strictly required.
- Stores (
stores.csv) - Expected Columns: Name, Sort Order, Description
- Storage Areas (
storage.csv) - Expected Columns: Name, Sort Order
- Store Sections (
sections.csv) - Expected Columns: Name, Sort Order, Store Name
- Purchases (
purchases.csv) - Expected Columns: Trip ID, Item, Store, Section, Quantity, Unit Price, Total, Bought At, Taxable, Essential
- Deferred Items (
deferred.csv) - Expected Columns: Item, Store, Section, Reason, Deferred At, Essential
ZIP File Structure
When importing Purchase History or All (Backup/Zip) data, you must provide a .zip file. Inside this .zip archive, AisleFlow looks for specific filenames to route the data correctly.
Ensure your CSV files are named exactly as shown above (e.g., items.csv, stores.csv, purchases.csv) before zipping them! Names must be exact to be recognized and imported, but missing files safely get ignored.
Which Store? (Optional) Dropdown
When importing Items or Store Sections, you will notice an optional Store dropdown menu.
If your CSV file lists a Section for an Item but doesn't explicitly name the Store, AisleFlow will use the Store you select in this dropdown as a fallback default. This clever feature saves you from having to type the Store name on every single line of your spreadsheet!
Manage Item Tags
The Manage Item Tags dialog provides a central place to view and organize all the custom Tags you use to categorize your inventory and filter your lists. You can access this manager from the Data management section in the Settings screen, or directly from the Add Item / Edit Item dialog.
Add New
Type a new Tag Name and Save it.
Edit
Rename an existing Tag.
Note
Updating a Tag's Name here will automatically update that label on every single Item that currently uses it!
Delete
Tap the Delete icon to permanently remove a Tag.
Note
Don't worry, deleting a Tag will not Delete the Items it was attached to; it simply removes the label from them.
Auto-Set Targets
Instead of manually typing in how much of every item you want to keep in your home, this tool calculates it for you.
The app analyzes your recurring purchases over the past year to determine your average replacement volume. Before applying these numbers, you must choose how much of a "safety net" you prefer to keep on hand:
- Exact (1.0x): Exactly your average purchase volume. The is essentially how much to keep on-hand so that you're running out just before your next shopping trip.
- Comfortable (1.5x): A standard safety net to ensure you don't run out before your next trip.
- Stockpiled (2.0x): A heavy backup supply. Helpful in ensuring you're never in a panic to run out and restock.
- Redundant (3.0x): Maximum redundancy for emergencies. You could miss 3 shopping trips and still be sitting with a comfortable stock.
While these won't be perfect predictions (ex: perishable goods, one can only have so many extra before they expire), this feature can save a lot of work in editing every item you've saved.
Note
Anomaly Protection: To prevent one-off purchases (like a dozen lemons for a lemonade stand, or a turkey for a holiday) from artificially inflating your targets, the algorithm only applies your chosen multiplier to active, recurring staples. Rare or stale purchases are safely set to a baseline target of 1.
Warning
Applying these targets will overwrite any existing Target / Ideal Quantity you have manually saved for your Items.