You can add, replace or reorder product images across your whole catalog in one go by importing a spreadsheet of SKUs and image URLs. Acenda downloads each image, stores it with the item, and then sends the updated images to your connected sales channels.
This article covers the image columns and the import steps. For the import screen in general, see How to import product data into Acenda.
Before you start: Each image needs a direct, public URL that opens the image file itself (not a web page or a link that needs a login). Dropbox and Google Drive share links work too, because Acenda converts them to direct downloads. For file size and resolution guidance, see What is Acenda's image optimization and DAM specification?.
Good to know: CATALOG > Assets is for supporting files such as size charts and instruction manuals, not for product photos. See How to host size charts and instruction manuals in Acenda.
Step 1: Prepare your spreadsheet
Create a .csv or .xlsx file with one row per item. Use these exact column headers:
sku: The item's SKU in Acenda. This is how each row is matched to an item, and it works for parent and variant SKUs.
images.default.main.url: The main (primary) image.
images.default.1.alternate.url, images.default.2.alternate.url, and so on: Additional images, in the order you want them shown. Add as many numbered columns as you need.
images.default.swatch.url: The color or pattern swatch image (optional). Target+ doesn't use this image; it builds swatches from each variant's main image. See What is a Target+ color swatch?.
You only need to include the image columns you want to change. Any image column you leave out of the file is left exactly as it is.
Example
sku | images.default.main.url | images.default.1.alternate.url | images.default.2.alternate.url | images.default.swatch.url |
YOUR-SKU-1 | ||||
YOUR-SKU-2 |
Warning: blank cells remove images. If you include an image column and leave a cell empty, Acenda deletes the image in that slot for that item. Only include the columns you want to change, and fill every cell in them. To keep an item's current images, leave its cells filled with the current URLs or leave the column out of the file.
Tip: The easiest way to get the right headers and your current image URLs is to export your catalog first (DATA TRANSFERS > Exports), keep the sku and images.* columns you need, and edit from there.
Step 2: Import the file
Click DATA TRANSFERS > Imports in the sidebar.
Click New Import.
Set Import Type to Catalog.
Upload your .csv or .xlsx file. For .xlsx files, only the first sheet is imported.
Check that each column is matched to the field with the same name.
Make sure Overwrite any current records that have the same ID. Existing values will be used for any missing columns. is ticked. It's ticked by default, and you need it to update images on items that already exist. Without it, Acenda tries to create your rows as new items instead of updating the existing ones.
Click Start Import.
Tip: Also tick Only update existing records. when you're only changing images. That way a mistyped SKU is skipped instead of creating a new item (new items are automatically published to all your sales channels).
Step 3: Check the results
Your import appears in the Imports list. Open it to see how many rows were completed or skipped and any row errors.
To see an item's images, go to CATALOG > Items, click the eye icon next to the item, and open Details > Media. Acenda downloads and processes each new image first, so they can take a few minutes to appear.
Once processing finishes, Acenda sends the updated images to the sales channels the item is listed on. You don't need to edit anything else on the item. For Target Plus, Acenda usually sends the change to Target within an hour; Target may take longer to process it. Other channels pick up the change on their own update schedules, which vary by channel.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Images don't appear after the import: Check the import in the Imports list for row errors, such as a missing or mistyped SKU. Then check the image URL: it must open the image file directly in a browser without a login. Common reasons an image can't be downloaded are a link that has expired or needs a login, a site that blocks automated downloads, a file over 25 MB, or a file that isn't a valid image.
An image disappeared after the import: A blank cell in an image column removes that image. Re-import with the URL filled in.
Images are in the wrong order: The main image always comes first, then the alternates in column-number order. Move the URLs to the right numbered columns and re-import. Include every alternate column the item uses so the final order matches your file exactly.
I replaced a photo but the old one still shows: If the new photo is at the same URL as the old one, Acenda may keep the copy it already has. Upload the new photo with a new file name or URL and import that.
A removed image still shows on Target, or an image appears twice: Target doesn't let sellers clear an image slot on an existing listing through an update. If you remove images, the last slot on Target can keep showing an old picture. Replace images with new ones rather than deleting them. If you need to reduce the number of images on a Target listing, contact Acenda Support.
The channel still shows the old images: Check CHANNELS > Item Issues for errors on the item. An item with open errors may not be sent to the channel until they're fixed.
Related articles
Still stuck? Contact Acenda Support and tell Acenda support the SKU and the image URL that isn't working.
Keywords
bulk images, bulk image update, bulk image upload, update images in bulk, image import, import images, image URLs, images.default.main.url, images.default.1.alternate.url, images.default.swatch.url, main image, alternate image, swatch image, blank cells remove images, sku, Assets, catalog import, spreadsheet, CSV, XLSX, how to bulk update images, how to replace product images, how to upload images in bulk, how to bulk update product images