Importing items from spreadsheet data

The source data must be in the correct format for this process to work correctly. Make sure you conform to the following requirements:

  • If you have multiple types of items (products, blog entries, services) they must be processed as individual data files
  • Item attribute values (description, price, order button etc.) are stored in columns
  • Each row in the spreadsheet is used to create a single item
  • Spreadsheet file must be saved in CSV (comma separated value) format prior to being uploaded to the site
  • If your data file contains columns with page names to add the item to, these page names must match exactly the name of the existing page or a new page with this name will be created.
  • Images can be uploaded before or after processing the data file but must be referenced with the complete folder and file names with correct character case. For example: 2006/myProduct1.jpg

Now that you have a correctly formatted CSV file saved on your computer, follow these steps to upload and load the contents as items on your site:

  • Choose the files and documents option from the admin menu
  • Go to the upload file screen
  • Either browse for your data file or drag and drop it into the upload screen
  • Go back to the manage files screen
  • Click the button with the cogs beside the name of the data file you want to process
  • First tick or until the box at the top of the screen depending if the data file has a first row with column header labels.
  • Next choose which page, if any, the new items will be added to. The first option adds all items to a single page.
  • If your data file has columns with page names, select which column to use for page 1, page 2 etc.
  • Choose the type of item to create, this will show the relevant attributes
  • Match each attribute with the appropriate data column from the list
  • Use the import button. This will attempt to transform the data file into items and report on any issues.
  • If the process succeeds use the button for create and finalise the items and add them to the specified pages. If there are errors then the details provided should help you identify and fix them in the original file. Repeat the entire process with the repaired file.