Importing Data

Data for all product types can be imported into the store, with the exception of bundle and downloadable products. In addition, you can import customer data, and product images. During the validation process, all items are verified, including:

• 	Attribute Values Attribute values according to data type (decimal, integer, varchar, text, datetime).
  	Complex Data Complex data, service data and attributes with values that originate from a defined set (such as a drop-down or multiple select input type), are checked to ensure the values exist in the defined sets.
  	New Entities For new entities, the presence of required attribute values in the file is checked. For existing entities, the presence of required attributes values is not checked, but if a required value is specified, it is validated according to the attribute type.

To import customer or product data:

1.

On the Admin menu, select System > Import/Export > Import. Then, do the following:

a.

Set Entity Type to one of the following:

• Products
• Customers

b.

Set Import Behavior to the way you want complex data to be managed if imported records already exist in the database.

• Complex data for products includes categories, websites, custom options, tier prices, related products, up-sells, cross-sells, and associated products data.
• Complex data for customers includes addresses.

c.

Choose one of the following options:

• Append Complex Data	The new complex data will be added to the existing complex data for the existing entries in the database.
  Replace Existing Complex Data	The existing complex data for the existing entities will be replaced.
  Delete Entities	If entities that are imported already exist in the database, they will be deleted from the database.

d.

At the Select File to Import field, click the Choose File button. Then, select the CSV file that you have prepared for import.

2.

Click the Check Data button in the upper-right corner of the page. The system validates the file. If the file is valid, the corresponding message and the Import button appear. If some of the rows in the imported file are not valid and cannot be imported, the corresponding information is included to the message, but you can proceed with importing. The invalid rows will be skipped.

3.

If needed, make corrections to the CSV file.

4.

Click the Import button to import the data into the database.