As well as adding products and categories using ShopTill-e's builder, you can quickly import new data or bulk update existing data using ShopTill-e's import and export routines. Please read this guide before importing so you understand the difference between adding new records, updating existing records, updating stock, and replacing data.
Important: always make a backup/export before importing
Before making bulk changes, we recommend exporting the relevant data from ShopTill-e first and keeping a copy. This gives you a reference point if you need to check what changed.
Sample Data Format
To import products or categories, open the sample CSV files in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, or similar. The files show the column headers ShopTill-e expects. Add your real product or category information into the file, but keep the header row in place. ShopTill-e uses these column headers to identify which fields to import.
After editing the file, save or export it as a CSV file. Please see our additional help about issues using Microsoft Excel with CSV files.
One of the best ways to understand the correct format is to add a few products manually in ShopTill-e, then export your products using the export routine. This lets you see your own ShopTill-e data in the expected CSV structure.
Adding new products
When adding brand new products, you do not normally need the id columns. These are mainly used when updating existing records that are already in your ShopTill-e catalogue.
Products Sample file - right-click and choose save link/file as.
The Products import can also create categories if the category paths in the CSV do not already exist. If you are only updating existing products and do not want categories changed or created, take extra care with the category column.
Updating existing products
Existing products can be updated in two main ways:
- Using the id column: If the CSV contains product id values that match existing ShopTill-e products, ShopTill-e can update those records.
- Using SKU: If you tick Use SKU to match records and update existing records, ShopTill-e will use the SKU/product code to find matching existing products.
Important when updating products: Only include columns you are happy to update. For example, if a merchant has manually reorganised categories, do not upload a Products CSV containing old category values unless you intend to change those categories. If you only want to update stock, use the Stock/SKU import instead.
Replace existing records
The import screen includes a Replace Existing option. This will delete existing records and replace them with the contents of your import file. For products, this can also remove product photos and other work already completed in the store.
Do not use Replace Existing unless you are certain you want to wipe and rebuild the data. There may be no simple way to restore deleted catalogue data from the import screen.
When you are ready to import, select the relevant import type, choose your CSV file, and click Import.
Export/Import to update stock
There are several ways to manage your stock holding. If you need to update stock levels in bulk, use the Stock/SKU export and import routine.
Recommended stock update method
Step 1. From the Export data from your store dropdown, select Stock/SKU and click Export.
Step 2. Edit the exported file, changing only the stock quantities you need to update.
Step 3. From the Import data to your store section, select Stock/SKU, choose the edited CSV file, and click Import.
Updating stock using SKU only
If your file does not contain ShopTill-e product id columns, you can update stock by SKU. Your CSV should include at least these columns:
- sku - the product SKU/code already used in ShopTill-e
- stock - the new stock quantity
When importing this type of file, select Stock/SKU as the import type and tick Use SKU to match records and update existing records.
Important: Do not use the Products import type if you only want to update stock. A Products import can update other product fields, such as title, price, description, categories, active status, and other catalogue data if those columns are included.
Protecting manually edited categories
If categories have been manually adjusted in ShopTill-e, avoid uploading an older Products CSV containing category data. To update stock only, use the Stock/SKU import with a simple SKU and stock file. This prevents category work from being overwritten by older category values.
