Importing/exporting categories in bulk
You can use ShopWired's category import/export system to create and edit categories in bulk via a spreadsheet that you upload into your ShopWired account.
The category import/export system allows you to:
- Create new categories
- Update existing categories
- By taking an export of existing categories, making changes, and uploading the file
You can also use the category export system to of all the categories in your account.
In a category import/export spreadsheet, each category is contained within its own row, and each column contains specific information and data about the category. The column headings are fixed and must correspond exactly with the headings set by ShopWired.
Exporting categories
Exporting categories
To export your category information into a CSV file:
- Navigate to Products > Categories
- Select
export - Select
prepare your export - Wait for the export to generate and then select
download your export
You can open a CSV file in spreadsheet editing software such as Excel or Google Sheets.
Creating new categories
Creating new categories
To create new categories through the category import system:
- Navigate to Products > Categories
- Select
import - Select
download import template- A CSV file containing ShopWired's required category import format will be downloaded to your device
- Open the template in spreadsheet editing software such as Excel or Google Sheets
- Add your category information to the spreadsheet file and, once complete, save it as a CSV file
- Follow the category import column definitions guidance below
- On the categories page, select
importand select the created import file from your device - Select
upload and process file - Wait whilst your category import is processed
Updating categories
Updating categories
To update your existing category information through the category import/export system:
- Navigate to Products > Categories
- Select
export - Select
prepare your export - Wait for the export to generate and then select
download your export - Open the export in spreadsheet editing software such as Excel or Google Sheets
- Make changes to the category information, leaving the
Category IDcolumn unchanged- Follow the category import column definitions guidance below
- Save the spreadsheet as a CSV file
- On the categories page, select
importand select the import file from your device - Select
upload and process file - Wait whilst your category import is processed
Category image files
Category image files
To add an image for a category using the category import system, the image file must be hosted on a server where the image can be accessed through a publicly accessible URL.
If your category images are not currently hosted on a server, you can use ShopWired's image hosting service to upload them to a server and use the generated URLs in your category import spreadsheet.
Category import column definitions
Category import column definitions
| Field Name | Description | Guidance/Instructions | Example Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category ID | This is the unique identifier for each category | If you’re creating a new category, leave this field empty. If you’re updating a category, do not change the number in this field as ShopWired uses it as an identifier. | 123 |
| Category Title/Name | Required. The name of the category | Enter the name of the category in this field. Do not use HTML. | Men's Clothing |
| Category Description | The description of the category | In this field, place the description for the category. You can use or normal text. Don’t use more than 1 row of the spreadsheet. | A collection of stylish men's clothing. |
| Category Image File/URL | The image URL associated with the category image | Use this field to add an image for the category. Only .jpg, .jpeg, .png, and .gif files are accepted. .webp images cannot be imported. | http://www.website.com/image.jpg |
| Category Image ALT Tag | The ALT tag for the category image | ALT tags are | Men's Clothing Image |
| Is This A Featured Category? | Indicates if the category is featured on the home page | If the category should be featured on the home page of your website, enter Yes in this field. If not, enter No or leave the field blank. |
Yes |
| Inactive | Indicates whether the category is inactive | If the category is inactive, enter Yes in this field. If it is active, leave this field blank. |
Yes |
| Sort Order | The order in which the category appears relative to others | Use this field to determine the order of categories. Lower numbers appear first. | 3 |
| Parent Category 1.. | The name(s) of the parent categories assigned | Use these fields to assign parent categories. If the category being created doesn't have a parent category, leave these fields blank. The is determined by your account's settings. If you have categories of the same name, use the instead (when doing so, all parent categories for all categories in the file must be represented by their ID) | Clothing |
| Title Tag | The title tag for the category | Use this field to specify a title tag for the category page. Try not to use more than 70 characters. | Buy Men's Clothing Online |
| URL | The URL for the category | If you want your category to have a specific URL, enter it in this field. | mens-clothing |
| Meta Description | The meta description for the category | Use this field to specify a meta description of up to 160 characters. | Shop the latest in men's fashion with our stylish and affordable range. |
| Meta Keywords | Keywords associated with the category | Use of . Enter up to 6 keywords/phrases here, separating each one with a comma. | mens clothing, fashion, apparel |
| Trade Category | Indicates if the category is for trade accounts | Only available when using the . If you are using the trade accounts app, use this field to determine if the category is a trade category. Enter Yes in the field if you want the category to be a trade category, if not enter No or leave this field blank. |
Yes |
| Category Description 2 | An additional description for the category | Only available when are enabled. In this field, place the 2nd description for the category. You can use or normal text. Don’t use more than 1 row of the spreadsheet. | Discover the latest trends in men's clothing. |
