No easy way to do via the import as the status field  is not included with the import file format.

possible way to handle it

Export your vendors , edit the VENDOR ID  that are inactive and add a "~" ( that is a tilde) to the beginning of the ID - this will kick the vendor to the bottom alphabetically ( below Z )  - use the RENAME feature in import transaction type

or even delete them  (but I would have a backup or history company file for reference just in case you need the data later ( in a year or 2)

It then is a "mindless task" to edit the "~" vendors and "inactivate" the status. 

I agree.  There is no option to import the vendor status info Sage BusinessWorks, this would have to be done manually.  As Vince suggested, you can rename the vendor IDs through the import option, that way the vendor ID appears at the bottom of your search/look ups or to exclude when running reports for a range of vendors.  For more information on what we allow to import for vendors see KnowledgeBase article #74460 How to import vendors.  And just to add some additional information about the vendor status field, the Active/Inactive status is just descriptive.  Setting a vendor to Inactive does not prevent transactions from posting to that vendor, nor will it generate a prompt that the vendor is inactive.  However, it has been written as an enhancement request, to possible consider in a future update.  KnowledgeBase article #76108 ENHANCEMENT REQUEST: Add ability to prevent transactions from posting to records with an Inactive status.  If you are interested in deleting vendors, please see #38593  How to delete a Vendor for additional information.

Thanks,

Coleen