How to Import Products with Store Manager for X-Cart Oct 11, 2010

Already using Store Manager for X-Cart? Think you know all about it? Well, there's always something more to learn. There are some features in Store Manager for X-Cart which are for advanced users, who have already solid experience and some technical skills. Such as Product Import. It's probably one of the most complicated procudere.

X-Cart Product Import may be destructive if performed incorrectly. Pay attention to each Wizard's page when importing products. Create database backup before importing products especially if you do it for the first time. Let's take a closer look at each step of product import.
What needs to be done for accurate and successful X-Cart import of products. Here's the list:

1. Prepare a .csv file for Import
Get .csv file ready. Make sure it contains all necessary fields and all data you are going to import is listed in the table.


2. Select "Import" in the Import/Export Wizard
Select "Options import" from the options available in the wizard and proceed to the next step.


3. Enter the .csv file for import
You can either enter the .csv file or use browse button to select one. Also you can Save Import Settings or load one of previously used.

4. Source file preview
It shows a part of .csv file selected to import. Pay attention to field delimiters and quote characters, if some are used.

5. Import file delimiters and quote separators
Enter the delimiters and quote characters used at the previuos step. Please note that if you specify wrong values, import may not work.


6. Base Formats and separators
Enter the date & time formats and separators as they are set in your .csv file. They can be set by default.

7. Link columns from .csv file to appropriate database fields
Check the box if the first of .csv file contains not values but field names. Select method of identification - recommended SKU Number and Name. Assign .csv column to database field: select a field at the "Database Fields" and then click a column at the .csv column. You can use "Auto set..." option to set correspondence automatically for all fields. This option will work only if .csv column name is the same as database field name.

8. Preview import data
On 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. Click "Import" button to start product import.

9. Import options
These settings may affect import results. You have to: select import method, how the products that are not listed in the source file should be handled, check whether log file should be created and save import configuration.

10. Import completed
The last step of X-Cart Import Products Wizard will show the errors which took place during import process, if there were any. You can open log for details.

Congratulations! You're done. Import process has been completed successfully. Each step of Product Import Wizard is accompanied by detailed instructions. You can also use Help panes available at each step in case you need more detailed explanation. Please visit Store Manager for X-Cart for further details.