Import Products

To import product data in bulk, follow these steps:

First, create the product data template file:

1. Go to Data Imports/Exports > Import Products in the IRP Admin left navigation menu.
2. Click the Create Template Import File tab.
3. The Download Template File screen appears - you can download either the ‘standard’ or ‘custom’ template file:
• Download Standard Template File: Standard template files contain the key fields associated with IRP products. Use the radio buttons to download a template file with your product data in the columns or without your product data (blank). Any data will come directly from your IRP. Note: The reason for downloading 'with data' is simply so that you can see how the values are formatted so that you can correctly format your new data; another reason is that you might want to view your existing data and perhaps analyse it using, for example, MS Excel. You can download the files in one of the following formats:
  
  • CSV (Comma Delimited Text File)
  • TSV (Tab Delimited Text File)
  • Pipe (Pipe Delimited Text File)
  • XLSX (Microsoft Excel 2007 - ) Note that, for files containing in excess of 20000 rows, it is often more efficient to use a flat file (.tsv, .csv or .txt) rather than a Microsoft Excel file.
• Download Custom Template File: You can customise these template files by selecting fields from the database tables described below. You MUST include prerequisite fields in the file. Use the radio buttons to download a template file with your product data in the columns or without your product data (blank). Any data will come directly from your IRP. You can download the files in one of the following formats:
  
  • CSV (Comma Delimited Text File)
  • TSV (Tab Delimited Text File)
  • Pipe (Pipe Delimited Text File)
  • XLSX (Microsoft Excel 2007 - ) Note that, for files containing in excess of 20000 rows, it is often more efficient to use a flat file (.tsv, .csv or .txt) rather than a Microsoft Excel file.
  Use the Columns for Custom Template File section to select the columns to include in the product template file. Alternatively you can check the Select All Columns box. You need to make your selection from the following sections.
  
  • Models: This is the parent product common to similar stock items, for example Resolve Jacket Men's, Leather Triple Bracelet, Everlasting Foundation. Stock items will be grouped into models based on a unique brand and model name combination.
  • Stock: This is the stock item variation within a model, for example 150ml, 200ml, Medium - Black, Medium - Charcoal, 103 Ivory, 108 Sand.
  • Brands: This is the manufacturer of a model, for example Nike, Pandora, The North Face.
  • Categories: This is the product's category that will form part of the website's category structure, for example Men's Clothing, Hair Brushes, Wetsuits.
  Note that you cannot select any column names that are highlighted in bold text as these relate to fields that must be included within the file for it to be valid for import.
4. Use the 'Date From' and 'Date To' boxes to restrict the file to only include records created during this date range.
5. Click the Download button when you are finished.
6. You can then edit the data in the file, as necessary, and save it for staging and importing.

Next, upload the product data template file:

1. Click the Import Product Data tab.
2. The Import Product Data page appears as follows (note that this shows a staged data file and your screen will look different if you have not yet uploaded a data file):
   
3. In Step 1: Upload and Stage Product Import File, click the Browse button to find the file that you created earlier.
4. Click the Upload and Stage button to upload the file to the IRP.
5. In Step 2: Import Staged Products, you will see a summary of the details from the staged data set:
   • New Models shows the total number of models that are in the data set that do not exist currently anywhere in the system.
   • Existing Models indicates the total number of models in the data set that already exist in the system.
   • New Stock Items shows the total number of stock items that are in the data set that do not exist currently anywhere in the system.
   • Existing Stock Items indicates the total number of stock items in the data set that already exist in the system.
   • New Brands shows the total number of brands that are in the data set that do not exist currently anywhere in the system.
   • Existing Brands indicates the total number of brands in the data set that already exist in the system.
   • New Categories shows the total number of categories that are in the data set that do not exist currently anywhere in the system.
   • Existing Categories indicates the total number of categories in the data set that already exist in the system.
   Note the Preserve Database IDs In File check box. Check this box to use the IDs provided in the upload file when importing products. This will use the Brands_BrandID, Categories_CategoryID, Models_ModelID, and Stock_StockID columns for the ID values. The functionality will either match the products via these IDs or insert new values with the provided IDs.
6. The Sample of Staged Products section at the bottom of the screen shows the details from the staged data set. This includes all of the columns that you selected for the data set when you created the template.
7. Back up at the Import Staged Products section, once you are certain that the data in your staged file is correct, click the Import Products button to import and display the product data on the IRP:
   

Finally, if applicable, download the images to accompany your product data.
If you have specified image URLs for models or stock, you will have to download these images after the import. Once downloaded, you can resize these images using the Products > Image Processing page. To download the images:

1. Click the Images tab.
   
2. The Images Pending Download screen appears:
   
3. Click the Download Images button to download the image files. Alternatively click the Reset Images button to reset the images due for download.

NOTE: Remember to Uncache the site.