Knowledgebase: CSV Export-Import

How do I create a Custom Product Export?

 

Custom Export Set for Products

The main product export function will allow you to export some of your basic product data, or all of your product's data into one large CSV file. However, you may have an export need where you only need a small number of editable CSV areas. For this purpose, we've created the Custom Export Sets which allow you to specifically dictate which product columns are included in the exported CSV file.

Note
The following steps can also be applied to your store's Order Exports which also has a custom export function attached to it.

To create a Custom Export set for Product information:

  1. Go to Products >Product List
  2. Once there, look to the top right of the page and click on the "Export / Import" button
  3. Within the Export section (on the left hand side), click on the + icon next to Products
  4. Then look towards the Custom Export Sets section and click on the "Manage" link

Next we'll create the custom export set.

  1. Within the Export Sets page, look to the top right and click on the +Add New button.
  2. Type the name of your custom export in the Set Name section.
  3. Click Save.

The export set is now created. Next, we'll add fields to it. This process will involve adding fields that correspond to the columns of store product data that you would like to have on the exported CSV file.

  1. Using the "Add New Field" drop down menu, select the parameter that you'd like to add to the CSV export file
  2. Once it's selected, click the "+Add New" button to the far right of it to add it to your set.

Repeat these last two steps for every CSV data column that you want to export. Once you have chosen the Information fields you would like to include in your export, you can then edit them as needed with the provided fields:

  • Alias
    Type in the Alias field if you need to change the Field name
    For example, if you need to have the "GTIN" column relabeled as "UPC"
  • Prefix
    Type in the Prefix field anything you'd like to have added to the start of the data.
    For example, if you need to have a SKU of 1234 exported from your store as "prod-1234" in the CSV file*
  • Suffix
    Type in the Suffix field anything you'd like to have added to the end of the data.
    For example, if you need to have a SKU of 1234 exported from your store as "1234-3dcart" in the CSV file*

*Note
When using the Suffix and Prefix functions, be careful not to use TEXT for attributes that are exported as numerical data, as this may cause an error upon export.

For example, product weights and dimensions are attributes that are strictly numerical when exported from your store. Specifying "lb" as a suffix for weight (to get your file to say 2lb instead of a simple number) will cause an error upon export.

  • Order
    Use the "Order" field if you need to rearrange the sroting of the columns for your specific export needs.
    The higher the number, the farther on the list it will be placed.
  • Action Wheel
    The action wheel at the far end of each entered field can be used to delete a field as needed.

Be sure to click "Save" at the top right if you make any updates to your customer export set.

Tip
One of the available fields listed in the Add New Field drop down is called "Constant" which acts as a placeholder column in the CSV.

This field does not export data from your store but is instead available if you need an extra column added to the CSV that contains something constant for your file. (whether through the alias, prefix or suffix fields)

For example, a constant field that uses alias for "Condition" and prefix for "New" will export a CSV in which that column will be labeled "Condition" and always say "New" for all products.

To use your newly created Custom Export File:

  1. Go to Products >Product List
  2. Once there, look to the top right of the page and click on the "Export / Import" button
  3. Within the Export section (on the left hand side), click on the + icon next to Products
  4. Then look towards the Custom Export Sets section and click the radio button next to your custom export to select it.
  5. Click Export Data.

The generated CSV file will now contain the columns and fields as designated in your custom export.

You can create as many custom export sets as needed for your store!


Additional Information
The actual import/export process takes place "behind the scenes" of your store's software to prevent it from interfering with your store's active processes. By allowing the function to work in the background, you can go to other pages of the admin and still work on your store while importing or exporting large files.

During the process, you will be taken to the Import/Export Status page which will display a grid layout of your recent imports and exports. The progress column will show you the progress of the import.

At the far right of each grid item will be an action wheel that contains the following options:

  • Download: Allows you to download the CSV file after a successful import/export
  • Notify Me: For larger, more time consuming files; this option will let you input your email address so that you will receive a notice once the import/export is complete.
  • View Log: Allows you to review the log of the import/export so you can see how many items were updated, inserted or if any records failed.
  • Cancel: Allows you to cancel an impending import/export
  • Retry: If for some reason the import/export fails, you may use this option to attempt a retry of the file.
  • Delete: Use this to delete the record altogether from the status page.

This will be present in all of the store's Export/Import functions.

Note
Please make sure your store's secure URL is pointing to your Shift4Shop store.


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