How to add lots of similar products quickly

[feemish]

Is there a way to add lots of similar products quickly ?

I imagine there is, and that it would involve adding the products directly to the database, and then dumping all the images into the images folder.

Has anyone done this ? If so hows it done ?

Feemish

http://www.guru.uk.com

[feemish]

Like,

which is the right database to open? where is it? what program can i use to edit it?

Can i just cut and paste straight into it?

I'm sure lots of people do this, but i cant find a thread on it anywhere...

Yours Hopefully

[leehack]

Hi

It is possible via an "import" file. In other words you create a spreadsheet with all details included (even the image locations), save this as a .txt file, put the images in the correct place (according to field in spreadsheet) and then import the .txt file into Actinic.

Actinic sets all the products with details, price, image etc. and has a great feature of telling you if any line of import failed and why. You can then go make the changes, ensuring no problems in your catalogue.

A Forum Search on "import product list" will bring up posts regarding this.

Good luck.

Lee

[Duncan Rounding]

First make a couple of sections in Actinic and add a couple of products in the way you would like then to be. Then export the catalog to an heirarchial file. You can then see the format required to import products back in.
You may find the structure of the export a bit daunting at first but spend some time digesting what the headers and entries are for and you'll find it quite simple.

[feemish]

Thanks for the replies,
I'll check them out.

[feemish]

Hmmm,

Yes that heirarchial file is confusing isnt it... Cant make head nor tail of it.

Does anyone know of a simple template for importing products?

[Duncan Rounding]

Have a look at the Actinic program help - search for 'import' that will explain a lot about flat file and hierarchial imports.

[feemish]

Thanks Duncan

[antnb]

Hi

I tried adding a few generic products (thay are set as one per section with size attributes so there are 3 hidden products per product), exporting and duplicating in Excel, changing the data and re-importing, but there seem to be so many changes to remap in Actinic, I wonder if its better to just 'get on with it' in Actinic?

How much information can you add/alter Excel? My biggest issue seems to be html file names, pop ups, extended info page names, product references.

[acompton]

Be really careful when you do build products quickly - check each one afterwards. I add some similar products recently using cut-and-paste and ended up missing out the price on one and the weight on another.

Somebody famous once said: Retail is Detail.

Alan Compton
www.greenknightgames.co.uk