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Using the Import Feature: How to Import Product Data into Acenda

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Written by Sam E.
Updated yesterday

Acenda Import Guide: Products & Channel Mappings

This guide outlines how to bulk import products into Acenda and subsequently map them to specific marketplaces (channels).

Prerequisite: Before starting, ensure you have created the necessary Marketplace Posting Templates. Please review the ‘Building a Posting Template’ article if you have not done so.

Phase 1: Importing the Product Catalog

The first step is to get your product data into Acenda. To ensure your CSV is formatted correctly, we recommend exporting your current catalog to use as a template.

Step 1: Generate the CSV Template

  1. Navigate to Data Management > Import/Export on the sidebar.

  2. Click the Export tab.

  3. Click + New Export, select Catalog as the Model, and click Export.

    • Note: It is recommended to have at least one product manually created in Acenda before exporting so the file contains the correct attribute headers.

  4. Download the file by clicking the cloud icon.

  5. Open the file and delete all rows below the headers. You now have a blank template.

Step 2: Prepare Your Data

Fill in your product data. Ensure you follow these specific formatting rules:

  • Remove System Columns: Delete the first 5 columns: id, created_at, created_by, updated_at, and updated_by.

  • Group vs. Variant: In the group column:

    • Enter product for parent items.

    • Enter variant for child items.

  • Linking Variants: In the group_skus.0 column, enter the Parent SKU for any item marked as a "variant."

  • UPC Formatting: Ensure Excel treats UPCs as text or whole numbers, not scientific notation (e.g., 1.23E+11).

    • Tip: Highlight the column > Right Click > Format Cells > Select 'Number' > Set Decimal places to 0.

  • Images:

    • The first two image columns are for the Main and Swatch images.

    • Additional images follow the format images.default.x.alternate.url (where x is the image number).

    • Note: Most marketplaces accept a maximum of 15–20 images.

  • Measurements:

    • Only the .value column is required (e.g., fields.depth.value).

    • If using the .unit column, use lowercase formats (e.g., in for inches). You can check valid unit formats by viewing an Item's Details tab and clicking the edit (pencil) icon on a measurement field.

  • Options (Parent Products Only):

    • options.0: Enter color.

    • options.1: Enter size.

  • File Format: Save your completed file as CSV UTF-8.

Step 3: Upload and Map

  1. Go to Import/Export > Import tab and click + New Import.

  2. Select Catalog as the Import Type and upload your CSV file.

  3. Map Fields: The system will list your file headers next to Acenda data fields.

    • Check the box to the left of the attribute to enable it.

    • The system usually auto-matches headers. If not, select the correct Acenda field from the dropdown.

    • Optional: Check "Save custom import profile" to name and save this mapping configuration for future uploads (e.g., "Target Boots Upload").

  4. Update Settings:

    • New SKUs only: Leave both checkboxes unchecked.

    • New & Existing SKUs: Check "Overwrite any records that have the same ID."

    • Existing SKUs only: Check "Only update existing records."

  5. Click Start Import.

Phase 2: Channel Item Mapping

Once products are in the system, they must be mapped to a specific marketplace and posting template.

Step 1: Generate the Mapping Template

  1. Go to the Import/Export > Export tab.

  2. Click + New Export, select Channel Item Mapping, and click Export.

  3. Download and open the file.

  4. Delete the first 5 system columns (created_at, etc.) and the product_id column.

Step 2: Input Mapping Data

You must obtain specific IDs from your Acenda account to fill out this file.

  • product_sku: Enter the SKUs of the products you just imported.

  • subscription_id:

    • Go to Organization > Integrations.

    • Locate the ID number to the left of the desired sales channel. Enter this number.

  • posting_template_id:

    • Go to Organization > Integrations.

    • Click Edit on the marketplace/subscription.

    • Click the Posting Templates tab.

    • Locate the ID number to the left of the desired template. Enter this number.

  • listing_action: Enter one of the following:

    • FULL: Sends full listing content to the marketplace.

    • ZERO: Sends full content but sets inventory to 0 (regardless of actual stock).

    • UNLIST: Retires/unlists the SKU from the marketplace.

Note: To map a single SKU to multiple marketplaces, create multiple rows for that SKU, changing the subscription and posting template IDs for each row.

Step 3: Upload Mapping

  1. Save the file as CSV UTF-8.

  2. Go to the Import/Export > Import tab and click + New Import.

  3. Select Channel Item Mapping as the Import Type and upload your file.

  4. Map Fields: Match the headers as you did in Phase 1.

    • Tip: Save this Import Profile. Since Channel Mappings always use the same 6 fields, you can reuse this profile for all future mappings.

  5. Select your Overwrite/Update settings (usually "Overwrite" if updating mappings).

  6. Click Start Import.

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