CSV Export Guide.pdf

DISCOVER THE UNIVERSAL

CSV EXPORT FEATURES IN

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Copyright 2009-2015 SARL Store Commander

CONTENTS

I INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 3

II TRAINING ............................................................................................................ 4

III DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................... 5

3.1 What is an export script? ................................................................................... 5

3.2 What is the mapping? ........................................................................................ 5

IV INSTALLING THE EXPORT SCRIPTS ............................................................... 6

V EXPORTING EFFICIENTLY ................................................................................ 7

5.1 Creating your first export script .......................................................................... 8

5.1.1 Setting up your export script ..................................................................... 9

5.1.2 Configuring your mapping ........................................................................ 9

5.1.3 Selecting your categories ....................................................................... 11

5.1.4 Additional settings .................................................................................. 12

5.1.5 Exporting your data ................................................................................ 13

5.2 Exporting your entire catalog in the blink of an eye ......................................... 13

5.3 Exporting your catalog in multiple languages .................................................. 17

5.4 Exporting in multistores mode ......................................................................... 19

VI TIPS ................................................................................................................... 21

6.1 The auto-export tool ........................................................................................ 21

6.2 Automating exports ......................................................................................... 22

6.3 How to customize the column headers of your CSV file .................................. 22

6.4 How to export descriptions efficiently .............................................................. 23

6.5 How to export a list of products with their combinations & attributes ............... 23



6.6 How to export prices incl. Tax & shipping cost separately ............................... 23

6.7 How to identify product reference duplicates ................................................... 24

6.8 How to modify the exported prices with a calculation ...................................... 24

6.9 How to modify the exported characters strings ................................................ 24

VII CHECKLIST ...................................................................................................... 25

VIII KNOWN ERRORS & SOLUTIONS ................................................................... 26

IX EXPORT ICONS LIST ....................................................................................... 27

X DATABASE FIELDS LIST ................................................................................. 28



I INTRODUCTION Store Commander includes an option, which allows you to quickly export products off

your catalog. This is the Quick Export option, identified by the icon on the Products panel toolbar and on some grids in the Properties panel. With this option you can export the data displayed in the panel you are in; a fast and efficient functionality. However, if you wish to customize your exports, this is where the CSV Export tool comes into place. With Store Commanders integrated CSV Export tool you can run multiple time-saving tasks such as: exporting your entire catalog in a blink of an eye exporting features and combinations attributes in multiple languages modifying your products in a spreadsheet and import them back into your store

thanks to Store Commanders import tool publishing your products on marketplaces, price comparators, etc to sell them

quicker publishing a list of products for your distributors copying products from one PrestaShop store to another exporting combinations attributes to change combinations prices in bulk configuring your export scripts to only export products and combinations in stock exporting products located in multiple categories



II TRAINING This Users Guide dedicated to CSV Export is to guide you in a pragmatic manner managing your Export operations with Store Commander. If you wish to gain even more time and efficiency, various training sessions are available, of which SC CSV Export. The program is well-structured and the training session is delivered on a one-to-one basis, directly with you and your files. This accelerates even more the understanding and handling of the CSV export tool so that you can run your exports in full autonomy. Attractive packs Store Commander License + Training are available on this page: http://www.storecommander.com/en/103-training-packs



III DEFINITIONS

Now you might be totally tech-savvy and already know what we are talking about when mentioning export scripts and mapping. Yet again you may be less tech-savvy and need a little explanation before moving onto the detailed process.

3.1 What is an export script?

In Store Commander, an export script corresponds to the configuration of your export file. It includes a mapping, a selection of categories as well as additional options. This configuration is carried out in the CSV Export window in Store Commanders interface. The export script allows you to export your products according to a specific configuration, and it can be reused as many times as you like. The export scripts you create can be used as many times as you like. Mapping and categories selections can be modified at any time for the same export script. We will tackle this further down in this guide. 3.2 What is a mapping?

When preparing the export of your products, you will need to decide which information you want to export, such as products names, prices, combinations attributes, images, etc. This information is stored in the database as database fields. These are the fields that you will need to choose when setting up your CSV export script. This configuration is called the mapping. The mapping fields will then be displayed as columns in your generated CSV export file. We will see in more details how to configure a mapping later.



IV INSTALLING EXPORT SCRIPTS When running the CSV Export tool for the first time, Store Commander will prompt you to install export scripts beforehand. To do so, go to Tools > Installation > Create scripts files examples for CSV export.

This will create configuration files needed for the export tool to run. Please refer to our article http://support.storecommander.com/entries/22081736-the-csv-export-tool-requires-folders-to-be-created Once installed, you will see scripts displayed in the CSV Export window. Note that these export scripts are only sample scripts to help you configure your own export scripts. They are not necessarily up-to-date with templates from price comparators or market places. You can use and modify them according to your specific needs.



V EXPORTING EFFICIENTLY Store Commander's exporting feature is not just your standard export tool... Much more than just a management tool, it is a powerful turnover booster. Not only will it will assist you in getting your products visible quicker on the Net, but it will also help you selling them much faster! Indeed this universal export tool allows you to export your products to any price shopping engine or marketplace such as Googlemerchant, Amazon, Nextag, Ebay, Shopping.com, etc. What's more, you can also export your products to other Prestashop stores if you are selling the same products on different stores.

The following section is dedicated to explaining how to proceed to boost your sales using the powerful Universal Export feature integrated to Store Commander. The CSV Export window can be found under the Catalog menu.



The CSV export window includes 5 panels:

5.1 Creating your first export To export your data in a fast and error-free manner, simply follow these steps.



5.1.1 Setting up your export script

From the first configuration panel, add a new script using the new icon . Give it a name, and validate OK.

5.1.2 Creating your mapping As explained above, the mapping relates to the database fields you will choose to export. To customize your mapping, add the fields by clicking on the add lines icon; a line being a field.

Once the lines are added, double click each line to select the database field from the drop-down list (see the complete list ).



Some fields require an additional setting indicated by a dark blue color in the Language and Options columns. Double-click to select the corresponding option.

Once all fields are populated, you can save this mapping configuration by giving it a name and click on save to validate.



Saving your mapping configuration is compulsory, but it also means that you will be able to use it again for another export, a great time-saving feature. To re-use any saved mapping, simply select it from the available drop-down menu. Any changes made to an existing mapping need to be saved.

5.1.3 Selecting your categories Your next step is to select the categories you wish to export. To do so, simply tick the corresponding boxes against the categorys name. By default, if a category is selected, the sub-categories are automatically selected. However, you have the option to disable the recursive selection with a right-click on the tree structure to display the pop-up menu where the option is:

Like the mapping, give a name to your selection and save it.



Saving your categories selection is compulsory, but it also means that you will be able to use it again for another export, a great time-saving feature. To re-use any saved categories selection, simply select it from the available drop-down menu. Any changes made to an existing selection need to be saved

5.1.4 Additional settings The mapping and the categories being configured, lets go back to the main panel to finalize the export script. Select the line of your export script and select the following:

1. The mapping name previously configured 2. The categories selection saved 3. Give a name to your export script (csv, txt) 4. Select the appropriate options see details below

Export disabled products Includes disabled products in the export file

Export combinations Includes products combinations in the export file

Export out of stock products Includes out of stock products in the export file

Export by default category Selected categories are the products default categories

Shipping fee Adds x$ to all products whatever their weight or other; can be used to add fixed fees

Free shipping fee from If you enter 100$: shipping fees are set to 0 from 100$ for field priceinctaxwithshipping

Field separator Field separator to use

Value separator Value separator to use

Enclosed by Value " to select if you are exporting descriptions

ISO encoded Allows translation of characters with accents into plain text

First line content Column titles to include in the export file

Last export date Date of last export carried out for the selected script



5.1.5 Exporting your data

You are now ready to export your data! Simply click on the Start export Process icon in the last panel .

Once the export is completed, the information is displayed in the panel, providing you with a link to the export file, as well as the number of lines included in the file. Click on the link to save and open the file.

5.2 Exporting your entire catalog in the blink of an eye You would like to export your entire catalog quickly without overloading your server? With Store Commanders powerful auto-export tool, you are going to be able to export your catalog in the blink of an eye. Lets see how it works. From the CSV export window, create an export script by clicking on the add icon.



Lets move onto the mapping configuration, which corresponds to the database fields that will display your products information in the generated CSV file.

Store Commander will be able to detect all fields used in your catalog and display them in this mapping configuration, simply by clicking on this new icon called load all fields,

Here we are. All fields, all languages included, are displayed. You do not need to select the languages, nor the combinations and features groups in the Options column. Everything has been done to make it easy for you.

We now need to name and save this mapping configuration here.

Lets move onto the categories panel



By ticking Home, all categories and sub-categories are automatically selected at the same time.

Like for the mapping, we need to name and save this category configuration here.

Now to finalize the export, we need to select the information in the top panel:

Select the mapping name, the categories configuration, name the exported file without forgetting the file extension (.csv).

Tick the options you wish to include in this export file. Here we will select everything.

Make sure this option enclosed by is selected to export your descriptions, and that the ISO encoding option is ticked for accentuated characters if need be.

Whether you are on a dedicated or shared server, the servers resources will be impacted during the export process, especially considering the large number of products, and whether they include combinations, features, image, etc.

To ensure a seamless export, we have designed a powerful auto-export tool in this panel.



The auto-export allows you to setup a time interval to split the export process in small chunks, which will reduce the server resources, especially if you are on a shared server.

To enable the option, simply click on the icon.

Enter the number of lines and the time interval in seconds.

We are now ready to run the export. Lets click on Start.

You can then follow the process in the panel.

WATCH THE VIDEO!

5.3 Exporting your catalog in multiple languages Just like we have seen above, Store Commander allows you to export your entire catalog in all languages in just a few steps.



The mapping panel also includes filtering options, allowing to exclude specific fields. With these filters, you will be able to export your catalog but this time in different languages.

For instance, to export your catalog in French, load all fields with the corresponding icon, and then add EN in the filter box of the Language column. Only data in English is displayed.

Then, select them all using the mass selection icon:



Now you can choose to delete them using the delete icon:

or exclude them with a right-click > uncheck:

Repeat the same steps for all other languages except French.

Once you have saved this mapping and categories configuration and selected the additional options, you can start the export.

The generated CSV file will include your catalog in French only.

WATCH THE VIDEO!

5.4 Exporting in multistores mode If you are managing multiples stores with Store Commander, the CSV export tool allows you to export data for one or multiple stores in the same export.



The export window includes a Shops.

This allows you to select the store you wish to export the data from. Selected shop corresponds to the store(s) currently selected:

You can then export products existing in all the stores you would have previously selected in the stores tree. To find out which stores the exported products belong to, simply include these two fields in the mapping configuration:

id_shop_list: ID of all stores onto which products will be added id_shop_default: ID of the default store for those products



VI TIPS 6.1 Auto-export tool Whether you are on a dedicated or shared server, the servers resources will be impacted during the export process, especially considering the large number of products, and whether they include combinations, features, image, etc.

To ensure a seamless export, we have designed a powerful auto-export tool in the Export Process panel. The auto-export allows you to setup a time interval to split the export process in small chunks, which will reduce the server resources, especially if you are on a shared server.

To enable the option, simply click on the icon.

Enter the number of lines and the time interval in seconds.

Once the process has started, you can follow it in the panel until it is completed:



6.2 How to automate your exports You would like to optimize your data exports? Setup a CRON task on your server to automate your exports. CRON is a time-based job scheduler in Unix-like computer operating systems. Cron enables users to schedule jobs (commands or shell scripts) to run periodically at certain times or dates. You can therefore make your life easier by automating your exports with a CRON task. This article provides you with detailed instructions as well as the script to use. 6.3 How to customize the column headers of your CSV file

Store Commander includes a column in the mapping panel allowing you to rename any column headers, i.e. replacing the name of the selected database fields in your mapping configuration. Simply double-click in the column name of column



Do not forget to save any modification made to an existing mapping. 6.4 How to export your descriptions efficiently With Store Commander you can export your description without html tags. This article explains how.

Also, when exporting descriptions, you need to select the option Enclosed by in the

top panel of the Export window. This will avoid having your descriptions being spread

in multiple cells of the CSV file. More information in this article.

6.5 How to export a list of products and their combinations

Store Commanders integrated CSV export tool allows you to customize your export files, such as exporting your products combinations.

This article provides you with a detailed explanation, including screenshots, on how to proceed.

6.6 How to export shipping cost & price incl. Tax separately Store Commander allows you to export your products price incl. tax + shipping cost with the mapping field 'priceinctaxwithshipping'.

On the other hand, it is not currently possible to export the shipping cost only because the field is not yet available in the mapping. It will be added in a future update.

Until then, the workaround to allow you to export your products price including tax as well as the shipping costs as two separate fields can be found in this article.

6.7 How to identify product reference duplicates If you wish to identify duplicate products references in your catalog, run an export using database fields name & reference. Once the data is exported, use the MS Excel SORT function. 6.8 How to modify the exported price with a calculation You can enter a mathematical formula in the Modifications column in the mapping to apply a calculation on the exported value:



= x * 1.10 This formula will add 10% increase. x represents the exported value. = round ( x * 1.115 , 2 ) This formula will add 11.5% increase and will round up to 2 decimals. = ceil ( x * 1.115 ) This formula will add 11.5% increase and round up to the next higher whole number = floor ( x * 1.115 ) This formula will add 11.5% increase and round up to the next lower whole number. =(x)+15

This formula will add an amount of 5. x represents the exported value. =(x)*1.2

This formula will add a 5% increase. x represents the exported value. 6.9 How to modify the exported characters strings You can add one of the codes below in the Modifications column of your mapping to change the exported value (name, descriptions, etc): html_entity_decode Allows the decoding of html characters. strip_tags Deletes html elements, obtaining only plain text with no formatting. strtolower Changes the strings to lower cases. strtoupper Changes the strings to upper cases.



VII CHECKLIST Here is the Checklist to run all your exports seamlessly.

1. Create your export script 2. Create your mapping & save it 3. Select your categories & save the selection 4. Select the saved mapping 5. Select the categories selection from the drop-down menus 6. Name your export file (remember to add the file extension) 7. Select the appropriate options 8. Setup the auto-export tool if necessary 9. Run the export process



VIII KNOWN ERRORS & SOLUTIONS 8.1 Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted

This error can occur during the export process. To resolve it, please refer to our knowledgebase article. 8.2 My categories selection includes 50 products but only 40 products are exported? Check that the option in the top panel of the export window called Export by default category is not selected (Checklist 7).

8.3 My entire catalog is exported even though I selected my categories? Check the categories selection you have created has been effectively saved and selected in the main configuration panel (Checklist 3). 8.4 Accentuated characters are not displayed correctly Your CSV export file is not displaying accents correctly; instead you see characters of type .

This happens when you do not select the ISO encoded option in the configuration of your export script (Checklist 7).

8.5 Check and correct the level_depth field

This error occurs when an integrity issue has been found in the database in the category ID specified in the error message. Refer to this article for more information.



IX EXPORT ICONS LIST Here is the list of all icons used in Store Commander CSV export configuration window.

Scripts

Refreshes the panel

Creates an export script

Deletes the selected script(s)

Mapping

Refreshes the panel

Loads an existing mapping

Saves the new mapping

Deletes the selected mapping and resets the display

Adds a line for a database field

Deletes a line of database field

Selects all database fields displayed in the panel

Loads all database fields used in the catalog

Categories

Refreshes the panel

Loads an existing categories selection

Saves the new categories selection

Deletes the categories selection

Process

Auto-export option splits the export process

Starts the export process



X DATABASE FIELDS LIST Here is the complete list of available database fields to export your data.

Database Field Name Database Field Definition

_fixed_value customized information added as new column in the CSV file

*active whether the product is active or not on the store

attribute of combination - group name of the combination attribute

attribute of combination - color name of the combination attribute HEX color

*attribute of combination - default combination sets the default combination

availability_message availability message displayed on the product page

available date displays the available date

*available for order whether the product is available for sale on the store

available_later message displayed when product not in stock

available_now message displayed when product in stock

categories name of categories

categories (full path) name of categories with full path

category by default name of default category

category by default (full path) name of default category with full path

condition condition of the product

date_add date the product was added to the catalog

date_upd date the product was last updated

depth depth of the product - packaging

description long description of the product

description_short short description of the product

ean13 ean13 number

ecotax amount of ecotax

feature name of feature

height height of the product - packaging

id_category(s) ID of all categories the product exists in

id_category_default default category ID

id_manufacturer manufacturer ID

id_product product ID

id_product-id_attribute product ID & combination ID

id_product_attribute combination ID

id_shop_default default shop ID

id_shop_list ID of all shops the product exists in

id_supplier supplier ID

image_id image ID

image_legd image legend

image_link image URL

last order date of the last order

link_rewrite link rewrite used



link_to_cover_image cover image URL

link_to_product product URL

links_to_all_images URL of all images associated to the product

location location of the product

manufacturer name of manufacturer

margin margin amount

meta_description meta description used

meta_keywords meta keywords used

meta_title meta title used

minimum quantity minimum quantity to order

name name of the product

name_with_attributes name of the product and its attribute

*on_sale whether the 'on sale' logo is displayed on the product page

online only (not sold in store) whether the information 'online only' is displayed on the product page

*out_of_stock whether the product is out of stock

price impact of combination price impact of the combination

price_exctax_without_reduction price exclusive of tax & without reduction

price_inctax_without_reduction price inclusive of tax & without reduction

priceexctax price exclusive of tax

priceinctax price inclusive of tax

priceinctaxwithshipping price inclusive of tax & shipping cost

productshippingcost shipping cost of product

quantity quantity of product

redirect_id_product product ID redirected to

redirect_type page/type of redirection

reduction_from date reduction starts (Discounts view)

reduction_perct percentage of reduction (Discounts view)

reduction_price amount of reduction (Discounts view)

reduction_to date reduction ends (Discounts view)

reference product/combination reference

show price whether the price is displayed on the product page

stock - advanced stock mgmt. advanced Stock Management mode (1-2-3)

stock_value price excl. tax times (x) quantity

stock_value_wholesale wholesale price times (x) quantity

supplier name of supplier

supplier_refenrce supplier reference

tags list of tags used

unit (for unit price) type of unit

unit price price per unit

unit_price_impact impact of unit price

upc upc number

vat tax rule

weight weight of the product - packaging

weight impact of combination impact of product weight on combination

wholesale_price wholesale price

width width of the product - packaging



Fixed_value: free text

*: this fields use value 0/1/2

Store Commanders team offers a tailored service to develop plug-ins if you wish to export database fields which are not listed above. For more information, please contact Store Commander using support.storecommander.com providing as much information as possible.

This document was updated in January 2015

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