The most useful inventory is the one you keep updating while you pack. Recording every spoon may slow you down; writing “misc” on everything makes the list hard to use. Start with enough detail to answer a practical question: which box should I open?

Use three fields to start

Record the box number, its destination room, and a short list of contents. “Box 07 / Office / monitor cables, keyboard, desk lamp” is useful without becoming a catalog. Keep the same number on the box and in the inventory. You can add more detail later if you genuinely need it.

Record as you close the box

Set the marker and your list beside the packing tape. Add the entry before the box joins the stack. If you repack a box, update the list too. A record that describes an earlier arrangement can be more confusing than having no record at all.

Take the list out of the browser

Our tool saves locally in the browser you use. It does not provide an online account or a cloud backup. “Download inventory CSV” creates a file you can open in a spreadsheet. “Save backup” creates a JSON file that this tool can restore. If downloads are blocked, choose “Show backup text” and copy the entire JSON into a text file. CSV is for reading and editing elsewhere; restore uses our JSON backup, not a modified spreadsheet.

Move between devices deliberately

Save the JSON backup on the first device, transfer it using a method you trust, then select it under “Restore a saved backup” on the other device. Alternatively, paste the complete JSON under “Or paste backup text” and select “Review backup”. You will see a replacement confirmation. Importing replaces the current list rather than merging it, so save the existing list first if it contains something you need.

Use this as a packing aid

Keep a separate secure record for sensitive or valuable belongings. This simple list is not an insurance valuation, professional mover inventory, or proof of condition. Follow any records your insurer or mover requires. For everyday packing, keeping the list short and current is usually the most manageable approach.

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