What is 'product data import'?
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This is an alternate method for entering your products into the Metro Shops system. With product data import, you can upload a single tab-delimited file that will allow you to 'batch' or upload multiple products all at once. Advanced computer users usually prefer this method versus entering them through the item editor. This method allows you to upload many products in a short amount of time.
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What is a tab-delimited text file?
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A tab-delimited file is one in which the values for each "column" are separated by a infrequently used character, such as the tab character. Each line in a tab-delimited file is terminated by a newline character. Programs like Microsoft Excel will generally allow you to import, edit and export these files.
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Invalid file format
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The product import page will only accept valid tab-delimited text files. Most spreadsheet work comes from applications such as Microsoft Excel. If you go to the 'File > Save As' menu, you'll see that you can often export your file from it's native format to a tab delimited text file. Note: Files opened locally in a program (like Excel) may error when uploading. Make sure to close the file before uploading.
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Column mismatch error
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This error is triggered when the columns that you are trying to upload in your tab-delimited file do not match up with the required order and name of the columns. The first row of your tab-delimited file must include the column names exactly as they appear in the product template we provide.
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Explanation of mandatory fields
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Product Name
Shorthand name for the product you're selling.
SKU
Product number or SKU for product you are trying to upload. If you wish to update existing products in the database with the file you're trying to upload, make sure the SKUs are the same, it is the unique the identifier.
Category
A numeric ID for the category you want to insert your product into. A list of category IDs is provided on the product data import page.
Manufacturer
Text for manufacturer of product
Brand
Text for brand of product
Product Type
- Standard:
tangible, physical goods. Item can be packaged and shipped.
- Gift Card:
gift cards or store-only discount certificates.
- Service:
any product involving exchange of money for labor
- Digital Product:
no tangible item. Product is intended to be used on the computer. May be available for transfer or download via the internet.
- Bulk Item:
any item that is sold in packs, quantities or pre-defined packages. Pricing for this item reflects packaging for the whole package.
- Closeout:
any item permanently discounted with limited quantities left.
- Overstock:
any item sold because of surplus stock.
Price
Numeric value for price, two decimal places. Please do not enter currency signs ($).
Weight
Numeric value for weight (in pounds), two decimal places.
Taxable
Enter '1' or 'Yes' if the product is a taxable product
Show Item
Enter '1' or 'Yes' if the product is currently active (otherwise item will be hidden from the public)
Description
Product description - please avoid use of HTML or any other special characters or coding. We suggest that you avoid using breaks, new lines or any other formatting returns as you may experience trouble with such formatting upon upload.
Image
Name of the picture associated with the product. Please stick to using common file formats - we only accept GIF, JPEG and PNG files for images on the site. You have two choices of how to provide the file:
- Provide the image name only of the file (product.jpg). After you upload your product data, you'll need to go to the Image Uploader page and upload the named files. Filenames you upload must exactly match the ones you name in your product data.
- Provide a link to a picture to use on the website. The address must start with a valid 'http://'. This file will be copied from the address you supply to the Metro Shops site. If the file is no longer available at the address you provide, it will not be attached to the product.
Keep good habits with your filenames. The ideal way would be filename.xxx (like jacket.jpg). Be sure to avoid using symbols and characters that are not generally easy to type - this includes symbols like copyrights ©, trademarks ™, registered trademark ®. Other characters that may prove to be a problem include \, / , @ , <, >, ", ' and commas.
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What about other fields?
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If you wish to add or modify; Product Options, Shipping Options, Additional Images and other "optional field data," it must be done individually. That data will not change if you modify the mandatory product information and upload it through the data import utility.
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