In order to attain desirable data import outcomes and avoid malfunctions in the course of data transfer, you are supposed to proceed with the following:
To start osCommerce xml data upload process, launch Store Manager Import Wizard. Go to “Tools” section, “Import/Export” tab and choose “Import/Export products” option. You can also find the corresponding option on products toolbar:
This procedure is performed by similar to osCommerce import from .csv mechanism. Actually, data are firstly transformed to .csv and after this settings, typical for .csv feeds upload, should be implemented. In such a way, do the following:
1. Designate transformation options - specify what is the main product node, set transform mode and link xml nodes to corresponding .csv columns
set .csv file columns and osCommerce database fields associations - indicate what fields at database this or that column refers to and choose identifier, products will be recognized by.
2. Choose correct delimiters and preview data to be imported
3. Base Formats and Separators are used to convert text values from .csv file to numerical and date values. You can just set default values using an appropriate button.
4. Image Import Options
5. The next page allows you to Link columns from .csv file to appropriate database fields.
First row in .csv file contains field names, but not values - Obviously it should be checked if first row of .csv file contains data, otherwise uncheck this option.
Products Identification Method - It is the topmost option as import will search for a product using selected method of identification. The product will be modified if found, if not - new product will be added. Lets say you choose option Identify Products By Product ID . How it is performed:
1. osCommerce Import takes first row of the .csv file and retrieves value from a .csv column assigned to Product ID field. As you can see above, the Product ID field is assigned to the 1st column from your file and the value is "1"
2. osCommerce Import tries to find product with ID of 1 in your store:
- If product is found it will modify it and set all values from .csv columns of the first line to assigned fields (even if you have let's say some Camera or Keyboard saved under the 1st ID, it will set values from your .csv file). Note that this method cannot be used if IDs in your file are different from the ones in your database.
- if product with ID 1 is not found it will create new product, assign ID automatically (let's say you already have 983 products in your database, so the ID for this product will be 984) and set all values from assigned columns to that new product.
The same is true for Product Model and Name + Model identification methods, except that model and name can be updated in your database from your .csv file.
Note: It is required to assign .csv columns to key fields depending on identification method.
Important Note! Source .csv file can contain multiple records with identical data for identification values (for example same model number for multiple products). All these products (with same ID or Model) will be considered as one. Currently imported to shopping cart product will overwrite previously imported with the same key field values. Note that sometimes one of key fields may be blank. Obviously blank fields contain the same value for all records, thus only one prouduct will be updated.
Database Fields show the list of fields in your database that can receive import data. Database Fields contain such columns:
To assign .csv column to database field you should select a field at the left pane and then click a column at the right pane.
[Auto Fill...] button - try to set correspondence automatically for all fields. Auto fill option will work only if .csv column name is the same as database field name ("translated").
[Clear] button - clear all "csv col" values at the left pane.
Click "Next" if you're done.
To import attributes from separate columns you should create additional attribute field for each attribute. Once it is created, you will get 4 additional options: Option, Value, Prefix, Price. You need to assign attribute value, prefix and price for each attribute column of your file to appropriate attribute options of database in each additional field.
6. Products were not imported to your osCommerce database yet. On osCommerce Import Preview page you can see how .csv file was processed using import settings, which you specified at previous steps. Check whether all columns that you want to be imported are filled with data: some of them may be blank. It means that either you haven't assigned .csv column or it is empty in source (.csv) file. Columns that were not assigned will not be imported whereas empty values will overwrite existing.
If red blinking arrow appears, it means that some errors occurred and you have to fix them.
Also you can enable and set the row # you want to start import from.
7.OsCommerce Import options page settings may affect Import results. Please read and check your selection carefully.
osCommerce Import Method
Save osCommerce Import Configuration
All import settings can be stored under some configuration. You can load it next time you decide to import products from a file with similar formatting, column names etc.
Attention! osCommerce Import process will start, when you press "Import" Button! Proceed only if all settings are made, otherwise press "Back" Button and check the settings once more!
8. On the last step of osCommerce Import Products Wizard you will see whether any errors occur during import. Also you will see logs with details.
Most frequent import errors are date, time and number conversion issues, caused by invalid format settings (specified at the previous pages) or improperly assigned columns (i.e. if you assign column containing text data to numeric database field).
Date/time conversion errors might be ignored, whereas other errors (like this one Could not find image: image_name.gif) have to be fixed.
If you need assistance with osCommerce Import configuration, we'll gladly help you to setup everything correctly for additional fee. Please contact us at contact[at]oscommerce-manager[dot]com for details.