How to update product data using a CSV file

In addition to the ability to add new products to your online catalog using the CSV file import feature, you can also use it to update the existing products. This method is faster and often more efficient (especially when a large number of products is being) than editing each product's properties manually. It is quite often necessary to update such information as prices, descriptions and product photos. This article describes how to use the CSV importing feature to update those fields in product properties.

1. Export all categories containing the products, which must be updated, to a CSV file in backend section "Products -> Export". E.g., if you would like to update products iPhone 4 (in category Mobile phones) and HP Officejet H470 Mobile (in category Mobile printers), check only the parent categories of these products and uncheck all other categories, then click "Export catalog".

Tip: If all products' parent categories are nested inside a common category (e.g., named "Mobile devices"), you will need to export such common parent category instead.


2. Download the exported CSV file to your computer and open it with an appropriate editor (e.g., OpenOffice/LibreOffice Calc or Microsoft Excel).

3. Remove lines containing products, which do not need to be edited, from the file.

   Tip: Doing so is not a requirement but this step will help you to avoid possible mistakes when editing the CSV file.

   Important: Lines containing names of categories should not be removed, as it may corrupt the structure of your online catalog!

4. Apply necessary changes to the remaining lines, i.e. change prices, descriptions, or enter the file names of new product photos.

   If you change the file names of product photos in column Picture, be sure to upload image files with the same names in backend section "Design -> Image Uploader -> Product pictures" (or via FTP into directory  published/publicdata/DATABASE_KEY/attachments/SC/products_pictures/). A failure to do so will result in product images not being visible in the storefront.

5. Save the edited CSV file and import it in backend section "Products -> Import".