Import / Upload Products (CSV) with the Import Tool

Overview:

The import tool is an efficient way to add products or make changes to your product catalog.

If you're an advanced user then you may want to consider using the REST API to add products to gain some additional flexibility. Most users will be content using CSV Import Tool.

To add/modify products to your stores, follow the steps below:

1. To access the latest product template, we recommend visiting the Admin Tool > Products > Products and click the Export button. This will generate a CSV file that you can open in MS Excel or Google Docs.

   The product model contains the following common fields. And, if you're an advanced user then you can always add/update your own custom fields here too.

   • slug: URL slug is the exact address of a specific page on your site.

   • status: Allowed Values:

     • Active
     • Disabled
     • Offline

   • name: A title for the product. This will be displayed in bold on the product page and in the title bar of the browser window.

   • category: Input the appropriate product category.

     Example: Consumer Electronics.

   • collection_id: This is an optional field. Click here for an example of a Collection. Enter the collection id that you want to assign the product to.

   • brand: The brand of the product. By populating this field, your brand name will be displayed.

   • type: Within a category there are often multiple product types defined. Enter product type here.

     Example: Cell Phones

   • tags: The promotional tags for your products (e.g. Sale, New).

   • description: The product description (supports HTML).

   • options: Describes the parameter(s) by which the product may vary.

     Example: If the product varies by size, input the value Size. If the product varies by color, input the value Color. Terms used for variation themes are created by you the merchant. (e.g. 'count' can be any number that you choose).

   • images: The URL where an image of the product is located. For multiple images, separate with a comma. Accepted formats are .jpeg, .jpg, and .gif.

     By default, three image types are supported: 1) Default 2) Alternate and 3) Swatch. The first image uploaded is assumed to be the "Default" image unless you specify it to be a different type.

     Example of how to specify image type:
     http://linktomynewimage.jpg#acenda_image_type=swatch
     Now, you can create additional custom image types. For instance, you may want the image for your Amazon Store to have color chips embedded in the image. You can do that by creating a new image type: http://linktomynewimage.jpg#acenda_image_type=standard_with_swatches

   • videos: The video URL's, we support YouTube and Vimeo video file formats.

   • popularity: This variable updates based on sales history. Greater values represent more popular products.

   • page_title: The meta tag title.

   • meta_description: The meta tag description.

   • keywords: The metatag keywords.

   • date_publish: Data/time that you want the product to be active (e.g. 9/30/17 14:23). Leave blank if you want it active without date/time restrictions.

   • date_expire: Data/time that you want the product to expire (e.g. 10/30/17 14:23). Leave blank if you want it active without date/time restrictions.

   • variant.status: Allowed Values:

     • Active
     • Disabled
     • Offline

   • variant.name: A title for the variant, including the color and size if applicable. This will be displayed in bold on the product page and in the title bar of the browser window.

   • variant.sku: A unique identifier for the product. The SKU must be unique for each product listed.

   • variant.barcode: A standard, alphanumeric string that uniquely identifies the product. This could be a GTIN, UPC or EAN.

     Tip: if you're using MS Excel: Right click the column header and choose Format cells. In the dialog that appears, choose Text. Also, note that 13 digit barcodes do not start with a zero (0).

   • variant.cost: Cost of the item.

     Optional field. This value is for internal reporting purposes and will not be displayed outside of admin.

     IMPORTANT: remove currency symbols and commas.

   • variant.price: Selling price of the item.

     IMPORTANT: remove currency symbols and commas.

   • variant.compare_price: Manufacturer's suggested retail price or list price for the product. This is not the same as the offering price, which is specified in the variant.price field.

     IMPORTANT: remove currency symbols and commas.

   • variant.image: The URL where an image of the variant is located. It's important that this is supplied for all variants. For multiple images, separate with a comma.

   • variant.inventory_quantity: Units on hand.

   • variant.inventory_minimum_quantity: The required minimum quantity of units on hand threshold for the itemproduct to appear as In Stock.

   • variant.inventory_tracking: If you want to track inventory.

     Allowed Values:

     • 1=Yes
     • 0=No

   • variant.inventory_policy: Allowed Values:

     • deny = prevent customers from ordering when inventory levels are below variant.inventory_minimum_quantity
     • allow = allow customers to order even when the item is out of stock
     • disable = disable the item when it's out of stock

   • variant.inventory_returnable: If the item is returnable.

     Allowed Values:

     • 1=Yes
     • 0=No

   • variant.require_shipping: If shipping rates apply to this item.

     Allowed Values:

     • 1=Yes
     • 0=No

   • variant.discountable: If the item is discountable.

     Allowed Values:

     • 1=Yes
     • 0=No

   • variant.taxable: If the item is taxable.

     Allowed Values:

     • 1=Yes
     • 0=No

   • variant.weight: The weight of the item.

   • variant.date_publish: Data/time that you want the product variant to be active (e.g. 9/30/18 14:23). Leave blank if you want it active without date/time restrictions.

   • variant.date_expire: Data/time that you want the product variant to expire (e.g. 9/30/18 14:23). Leave blank if you want it active without date/time restrictions.

   • variant.color: The color name of the product variant (e.g. Green).

   • variant.size: The size of the product variant (e.g. Extra Large).

   • variant.popularity: This variable updates based on sales history. Greater values represent more popular variants.

   • variant.position: The order you want the product variants to appear on the page. We recommend using increments of 10 if you add additional variants down the road. Useful for organizing items with sizes: e.g. Small, Medium, Large.

   If you wish to add Custom Attributes:

   • Product Level: add columns to the spreadsheet, eg. gender, thread_count, machine_washable.
   • Variant Level: add columns to the spreadsheet with the prefix "variant.", eg. variant.material or variant.voltage.

2. Save your MS Excel or Google Docs file as Windows Comma Delimited (CSV).

   

3. From the dashboard click Import.

   

   The Import page displays.

   

4. Select Product (not Product Variant) from the Model drop-down.

5. Click Upload a File.

   However, if you're performing an update to products that already exist in your product database then you must check the checkbox for the appropriate matching field e.g. variant.sku or variant.barcode. Only check one field per import.

   Acenda automatically queues each import. You can track the progress of each import by visiting the blue Process Indicator located in the header of the Admin tool.