Importing a spreadsheet

[larsentim278054]

Hi -

I have a question regarding importing an excel spreadsheet (or would CSV be better?) to the products database. Is there a way?

And I know it will require images (small and large) - so how would I get those added to the products once it's imported? Will I need to upload the images via ftp before hand and then input the full URL to where they are -in the spreadsheet?

If any of this is possible (I'd imagine it has to be to allow for people with huge product lists) - where would I import it - the MySql database? Would I need specific headers or places where the data would need to be?

I'm guessing I could use phpAdmin and export the database once I add one product and then it might give me a reference to know where to put the data? Would that work? Is there an easier way?

Thanks!

[Ray Borduin]

phpAdmin should have a way of importing data from a spreadsheet. You could set a default "no image specified" image for everything, then use the update page to associate images from the admin back end.

[larsentim278054]

How do you handle products that are the same product but a diff. color scheme and you want them to choose a color? How would I add those types of products? (products with options) -- and can there be images associated to those other "options" ? Meaning I'd like to show the product image that is of the other color.

phpAdmin should have a way of importing data from a spreadsheet. You could set a default "no image specified" image for everything, then use the update page to associate images from the admin back end.

[Ray Borduin]

The current version of powerstore does not support options in that way. You would have to insert them as separate products.

[larsentim278054]

Wow... That's going to add a ton more work.

There's no way to implement this type of item?

The current version of powerstore does not support options in that way. You would have to insert them as separate products.

[Ray Borduin]

On the contrary there are many ways to implement this type of item.

Inserting as individual items is the easiest way. Any other way would be a ton more work and more technical work.

[larsentim278054]

Okay so I add them all as individual items... I assume it's possible to somehow group them though, right? At the very least - do you think it would be easy when showing one of the colors, to have links to the other color options?

On the contrary there are many ways to implement this type of item.

Inserting as individual items is the easiest way. Any other way would be a ton more work and more technical work.

[larsentim278054]

Also - I did find out that PhpAdmin does allow you to export/import via CSV and this is the output in CSV format:

"ProductID";"ProductSKU";"ProductName";"ProductPrice";"ProductWeight";"ProductCartDesc";"ProductShortDesc";"ProductLongDesc";"ProductThumb";"ProductImage";"ProductCategoryID";"ProductUpdateDate";"ProductStock";"ProductLive";"ProductUnlimited"

I understand most of it, but what about "ProductUpdateDate" and the three that are listed after that (stock,live,unlimited).

Do you know what would go there?

[Ray Borduin]

ProductUpdate date is to keep track of the last time the product was updated so that stock can be adjusted based on the inventory at that time.

Stock is the number of items in stock at the last update date.

Product live is a true false field that allows you to quickly add or remove a product or stage it on the back end before making it live for users to purchase.

Product unlimited is a true false boolean field that can be used to mark an item exempt from inventory concerns so that it will be available in stock regardless of inventory.

[mick106153]

Ray
I think we all would like an answer to this question please.

Mick

Okay so I add them all as individual items... I assume it's possible to somehow group them though, right? At the very least - do you think it would be easy when showing one of the colors, to have links to the other color options?

[Ray Borduin]

You could create a separate table to group them... an optionsGroup table to group products options into a group that could then be listed together.

[mick106153]

You could create a separate table to group them... an optionsGroup table to group products options into a group that could then be listed together.
Yes, Go on…

[mick106153]

And how would we incorporate this functionally into the admin section. I tried to walk down this path before and administration was the hang-up for me.

[larsentim278054]

Is it necessary to have data in these fields? Ie - what if I don't know the stock level and the update date - since this is my first time adding these products, should I leave blank? Or put todays date? Product live I would enter "true" then and unlimited would be false? Or if I don't know the inventory level, would I make it unlimited?

Thanks Ray!

ProductUpdate date is to keep track of the last time the product was updated so that stock can be adjusted based on the inventory at that time.

Stock is the number of items in stock at the last update date.

Product live is a true false field that allows you to quickly add or remove a product or stage it on the back end before making it live for users to purchase.

Product unlimited is a true false boolean field that can be used to mark an item exempt from inventory concerns so that it will be available in stock regardless of inventory.

[larsentim278054]

Okay you lost me. Is there anyway you could give a step by step? I'm guessing I might be able to figure out how to create the table, etc. but getting it implemented would baffle me.

You could create a separate table to group them... an optionsGroup table to group products options into a group that could then be listed together.

[larsentim278054]

I take the lack of response meaning you aren't going to - would support be able to handle a request like this?

Okay you lost me. Is there anyway you could give a step by step? I'm guessing I might be able to figure out how to create the table, etc. but getting it implemented would baffle me.

[Ray Borduin]

I'm afraid it is too complex. You would need extensive knowledge of mySQL, PHP, AJAX, Javascript, and user interface design to pull it off.

I would have to write a book or two to really answer it. It isn't that I don't want to help you... I just don't think anybody will be able to sum it up into a few sentences or spend the time it would take to create a tutorial. Support wouldn't be able to either.