Setting Up Commonality Templates

Commonality serves as the default posting template for all items in a specific channel integration (e.g., Target+, Amazon).

Think of it as the "Master Blueprint" for your listings on that channel. When you create a new specific category template later, it will inherit all the settings you configure here in Commonality.

Why start here? We strongly recommend setting up Commonality first. It ensures your product data is consistent across the board and prevents you from repeatedly mapping the same fields for every category.

📺 Video Tutorial

Prefer to learn by watching? View our step-by-step video walkthrough on setting up Commonality here:

Watch: Setting Up Commonality (Vimeo)

Step 1: Access Commonality

Navigate to Admin > Integrations.
Select the integration you wish to configure.
Click the Commonality tab.

Note: When you first access this screen, Acenda uses machine learning to automatically map the channel's required attributes to your existing Acenda fields. This provides a solid starting point, but you should review the data to ensure accuracy.

Step 2: Create New Attribute Sets

In addition to the multiple pre-populated fields in the Commonality template, you can add attribute sets (Commonalities) required by the channel.

Locate the Create New Commonality section within the tab.
Click the dropdown menu labeled Select Commonality to Create.
From the list, select the specific field set or category template you need.
The new template section will generate below.

Step 3: Fix Mapping Errors

On occasion, you may see a mapping row highlighted in red.

This is a warning that Acenda was unable to find a matching field in your data for the channel's required attribute. You must resolve this error before you can successfully list products.

Find the row highlighted in red.
Click the + button on the right side of that row to expand options.
Choose one of the mapping methods below to resolve the error.

Mapping Options

You have three main choices for mapping your data:

Option	Description	Best Use Case
1) Property	Maps the attribute to an existing Acenda field.	Most Common. Use this when you already have the data (e.g., Description, Price).
2) String	Enter a static text value that will be the same for all products.	Use for constants (e.g., setting the Brand attribute to always be "My Brand Name").
3) Twig	Uses a formula to format or combine data.	Advanced users. Use for logic, if/then statements, or unit conversions.

💡 Need a new field entirely?

If the data you need isn't available in Acenda yet, you can create a new field on the spot. After clicking the + button, select Create Custom Field. A pop-up window will appear to guide you through creating the new attribute in your database.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

Once you have resolved all red error rows and are satisfied with your default mappings, click Save.

Your Commonality template is now active! Any new category templates you create for this channel will now automatically inherit these rules.