Standard Import

 

The Standard Import through PIM Enterprise, allows you to import data from an Excel sheet, a .csv file, or a tab-delimited text file.

Starting the Import

Select "Import" from the "File" menu or the Items tab to begin the import process.

Select "Standard Import" to import an Excel sheet, .csv file or tab delimited text file.

Configure the Import Source

Let PIM Enterprise know how your import file is set up.

  1. Select the type of file you are importing.
  2. Select your import file.
  3. Select how the item attributes are represented in your file:
    • "Attribute names are in column headings" - This means the name of each item attribute is in a column heading with the value for each item on the rows in that column.
    • "Attribute names are to the left of the attribute value" - This means the name of each item attribute is in one column and the values for those attributes are in the next column. Note that when choosing what columns to use later in the import with this method the columns will be sorted by number. (E.g. if column 1 is your part numbers you will see "Column 01 (Value)" to help you find the correct column).
  4.  If you are linking images or documents to items in your import file, enter the paths to where you have the referenced files stored.  Select if you want the imported images/documents to add to the existing images/documents for the items, or replace them.
  5. Select the column in your import file that represents the item Part Numbers.
  6. Select the column in the import file that represents the name of the category the items are to be imported into.
  7. Select the column in the import file that represents the first column that contains item attributes and their values.  Make sure your file is configured so that there are only attribute-related columns from that point on (to the right of the starting column). 
  8. Select the column that represents the Featured Indicator field.  You can see more about how Featured Items work at the bottom of the Edit Items & Properties article.
  9. Uncheck to quickly create the categories from your import file in the PIM.  This is useful when you are importing data that contains categories that don't already exist in the PIM.

The category name column is required to import attribute values. 

If column names in your file are the same as those used when exporting from the PIM (ErpPartNo, Featured, and Category Name) areas 5, 6, and 8 from above will be selected automatically. 

Mapping Item Data

If you have saved mappings, you can select them here. 

If not, click "Next" to get to map the item data for your import.

  1. To manually map the fields, select the Source field from your import file and Destination field in PIM Enterprise field that you want to map it to.
  2. You can also have the system attempt to map the fields for you.  Simply click the "AutoMap" button.  If the system finds matching names between your data and the PIM data, it will automatically map those fields.

Mapping Categories

The categories on the left-hand side of the screen are the categories you have in your import file.  The categories on the right-hand side of the screen are the categories currently in PIM Enterprise.

  • Manually map the categories by dragging the name of the category from the right-hand side of the screen on to the category on the left-hand side of the screen.  This will tell the system which category you want to import your data into.
  • Click "Auto Map Categories" to let the system try to match the categories by name.
  • Drag a category from the left-hand side of the screen to the right-hand side in order to create the category in the PIM.  This will also automatically map the category for import as well.

Should you decide to manually map your categories, please keep in mind that if the categories you wish to map already exist in the PIM, you will need to drag the categories from the right field to the left one.  If you were to drag them from left to right, it would create a duplicate of your existing category. 

Right-click in the right-hand column and select "Create Category" to add a new category into PIM Enterprise.  You can then map your data into that new category.

Mapping Category Attributes

The attributes on the left-hand side of the screen represent the data from your import file.  The attributes on the right-hand side of the screen represent the attributes currently in PIM Enterprise.  Using the "Speed Mapping Options" near the top will allow you to quickly auto map all of the attributes for all of the categories you are importing in one sweep.  You also have the option to manually map attributes, by dragging an attribute from the right-hand side of the screen onto the corresponding attribute on the left-hand side of the screen. 

  1. "Auto Create Missing Attributes" will add attributes to PIM Enterprise that don't currently exist there, but do exist in your import data (when speed mapping).
  2. "Auto Map Attributes" in the speed mapping section will match attributes by name between your import data and PIM Enterprise.
  3. "Clear Unmapped Attributes on Import" will clear any existing attribute values from PIM Enterprise if you have not do not map it during your import.
  4. "Create Attributes" allows you to create new attributes in a category (for the purpose of importing into that category).

Completing the Import

On the screen after completing all of your mappings, you can save the mappings to be used again.  This can make future imports a much quicker process.

Click "Finish" on the final screen to complete your import.