HOW TO – Bulk Product Uploads

Below are tips to properly set up your Bulk Product Upload:

Products can be imported to your store in bulk using a file in CSV format.  Click todownload a demo file which can be populated and uploaded to your store.

CSV File Format

Tab-delimited or comma-separated value (CSV) files are simply text format files. These files are simply text and do not include any features, formulas, or formatting from a spreadsheet or database program.  CSV files can be generated by many programs. If you do not know how to create or save a file in  CSV format, please check the documentation for the program you are using to create your CSV file.

For example, you can create a CSV file in Microsoft Excel by clicking File, Save as and selecting CSV (Comma Delimited) in the “Save as type” drop-down.

Your CSV file can contain multiple lines, however, each line must be structured the same. In order to tell the program where each field begins and ends in an import or export file, the fields must be separated (delimited) with a character such as a comma (,). This character is called the field separator or delimiter. When the field separator (delimiter) is a comma, the file is in comma-separated (CSV) or comma-delimited format. Another popular delimiter is the tab.

If a field contains the delimiter character within its text, the program interprets this as the end of the field rather than as part of the text.

The first row of your CSV file (header) must include the complete field name for each file. The order of the columns does not matter but having the rows ordered properly is crucial for proper uploading.

Products across all industries are typically identified by Global Trade Item Numbers “GTINs” which are unique and universal identifiers that are used internationally to find product information across databases.  GTIN codes are generally found above or below the bar code on a product package.  

GTIN  coding systems were developed by different industries and are standardized under the GS1 international system.  Universal Product Codes (UPCs) are used most commonly in the United States.  Other common GTINs are listed below:

• ISBN (International Standard Book Number): 10 digits or 13 digits
• UPC (Universal Product Code): 12 digits
• EAN (European Article Number): 13 digits
• JAN (Japanese Article Number): 13 digits
• GTIN-14 (Global Trade Item Number): 14 digits

You will find input fields for GTINs when creating your product pages.  GTIN codes are used to identify a particular item, and are used to properly identify the exact item you wish to sell.  It is recommended that you add any GTINs you may use to identify your products.

 Be sure to properly structure your products with accurate and consistent model information.

To Add/Update Multiple Products  –  

                1. To update a  single , or multiple products, you must use the model as the identifier, so that other data in the table will remain the same.

        2. To update single fields only, such as the price or quantity, use the model with product_id and edit one column with the change to the price or quantity

        3. To update multiple line items, (multiple lines of data), use model as it’s identity for multiple lines. Example:

Note: the second line of data denotes the same  model, with a different price for a Special to be offered to the default and Customer customer groups on 15-8-14.  

– To add multiple products with single csv file with Multi-Language capability:

        1. Populate the normal fields:

                – model / sku / quantity / tax_class / etc.

        2. Then add the multi-language description data:

                – description:name:english / description:name:german /
description:description:english / description:description:german ( / separator for column here )

– To add Multi-Language Attributes

        1. Input the language name  per the following:

                – attribute:test 1:english / attribute:test 1 :german

        OR

        2.  Format this way:

                – attribute:test 1(english name) /
attribute:test 1(german name) ( / separator for column here )

– To add multiple Options

                – option:text / option:type / option:name / option:quantity ( / separator for column here )

– To add Specials 

                – special:customer_group / special:price ( / separator for column here )

Warning! It is recommended to check the data table in your CSV file very carefully before starting the update procedure because uploaded changes are not reversible (there is no “Undo” feature).  If you have a large number of products, and the data table is not correct, it may require significant effort to correct the affected fields.