Extended Information Import

[simonwar]

I have read a few threads where extended information is imported using CSV which probabaly started as EXCEL, however I cannot find out about the FIELD structure for this.

My Extended Info input requires:

Generate Pop Page tick box
Extended Info Text
Image
Popup Page Name
Clicking Product Image tick box
Text Link tick box
Text Link Text

Layout ( I will use "Use Parent" so not required)
Width and Height (Again I will set in Design > Options)

Any ideas, formats or examples?

Thanks, Simon.

[Bruce]

Simon,

Have you looked at the sample import files that are available in the 'Common' folder within your site folder .. C:\Program Files\Actinic v7\Sites\Site1\Common . Check 'SampleFlatImportFile.csv' it has what you are looking for.

Regards,

[simonwar]

So do i export my complete catalogue in this format and then import it back in afterwards, updated?

Had a look at the exports, but didn't come out like this is there any instructions in the AUG.

Thanks, Simon.

[Bruce]

Simon,

The example files are in 'Flat File' format whereas the export from within Actinic creates a 'Hierarchical File' format, quite different.

If you have the data available then you could append it to a Flat File as in the example and then import into Actinic, else you will have to follow the format of the hierarchical file Actinic creates and add the information in there.

Kind regards,

[simonwar]

Sorry Bruce, I'm still not with you.


Am I better off modifying the Access database. I have Access and could probably manage inputting directly inyo it the relevant "Extended Info" FIELDS.

I also need to know which table or tables will change, i can see that the Product table contains:

bGeneratePopupPage
sExtendedInfoLayout
sExtendedInfoText
sExtendedInfoImage
bDisplayByImage
bDisplayByLink
bDisplayByButton
sExtendedInfoWidth
sExtendedInfoHeight
sExtendedInfoPage
sExtendedInfoLinktext

Is there any othere fields?
Am I tempting a problem doing this?

Simon.

[leehack]

Simon

Do an export as your site is now. Then add extended info to one product and export that and then compare the two files to see what you have to do. It is much better to export and copy than try and work out from sample files, forum messages and alike. It's a bit of a nightmare this area IMO, you gotta get stuck in on it otherwise may as well just plough through manually. Always best to copy what actinic does itself, at least that's what i find best anyway.

[simonwar]

Fair point... working on it.

Thanks, Simon.

[Charlesn]

Did you have any joy with this? I'm knocking up a sample import file for a client and need to include some extended info (open popup page by 'clicking product image' and 'extended info) but if I export the current site it doesn't seem to include this?

Any help would, as always, be much appreciated.

Thanks
Charlie

[leehack]

Did you have any joy with this? I'm knocking up a sample import file for a client and need to include some extended info (open popup page by 'clicking product image' and 'extended info) but if I export the current site it doesn't seem to include this?

Have you added any extended info to a product as an example first? If not then, there is nothing to export and therefore nothing for you to see/copy.

Fill out a product and then export, there is 8 fields i think which you can choose to use or not use, sounds like you will use at least 3 of them.

[Charlesn]

After running the filter on the heirarchal file that Actinic coughs up, the columns you would expect to see something in are all empty. Pretty much every product has an extended info page (they are selling CD's and DVD's so have a fair bit of additional information to display) so can't really work out why its not showing anything.

Very annoying...

[leehack]

At least 4 of the options are either a '1' or blank i.e. a switch for either on or off.