I had a quick question. All of my inventory and products are already on excel files. There would be some tweaking of some things, like adding pictures and such one I would get them into the software, but is it possible to create the entire store from just the .CSV file?

My thought would be to make 1 product, then just pretty much auto-fill and correct the necessary things in the software. I figure, it would save a bunch of time since most of the typing is done through excel and its functions..

Or am I just reaching for something that can't and shouldn't be done?? I tried a few things and it gave me some errors like column isn't the size of the header, but I figured before I waste any more time trying all kinds of silly things, I should check to make sure it is possible first.

Thanks

Yes, it's possible to do what you're suggesting. I know because I manager all my product inputs from CSV files. It does take some patience to get the CSV file formatted correctly. Unfortunately SCCPro doesn't provide very informative error messages when importing the CSV. It was a lot of trial and error for me but now that it works it goes without a hitch.

Mike, I have found that the easiest way for users to get the CSV file correct is to set up a shop and put at least one main category then at least one subcategory and at least one product with all the options you would like. Then export the CSV. Now open this file in Excel and you should be able to understand the format to avoid problems. When your done save the file as CSV comma delimited and import it back to your shop.

Thank you both for the responses. That is exactly what I have been doing, but have been coming up with TONS of problems.

Ok, let me say, that when I export to csv, don't open it, then right away import csv, it works fine. So there must be something wrong with the way my excel is saving things..

Now, when I export and go into the csv file, I can change 1 letter (I know, I have tried all sorts of things) and the error I will get is "Column 16 not valid.
Reason: This field is a different size than the header.". Actually, the last time, when I changed 1 letter of my SKU, I got that error message from column 16 to 34. Who would have thought that just opening and editing one letter would do me in.

Now, I have been sitting here for about 2 hours, researching and trying all types of things, but nothing is really helping me. I am honestly at my wits end. I have read new posts, old posts and everything in between. Tried the way I save it, I tried the trick that was mentioned about going into the regional section and clicking a different separator, and all other kinds of things. At this point, I am 100% lost and frustrated. I eventually begin to manually put the products in one at a time, then start using excel functions again thinking "maybe this time is the time it will work". Nope..

So, can any advice? It has to be the way excel is saving it. Just as a test, and I just did it as I am typing this, I saved the store, exported to csv, opened the file, did not touch a single thing, saved the csv and tried to re-import...same amount of error messages, and all about the different sized header..

Anyone have a clue why my excel doesn't like me and is saving things wrong?

Thanks
Mike

I would say you have an improper character or space in you entry. What did you change on the sku? Can you post what it was before change and after change?

The last time I tried it, I didn't change a thing. I opened it, just hit the save button and closed it. Changed nothing.

In previous times, I just changed the SKU by one #....so changed a 1 to a 2. No extra typing, no formulas, nothing.

Obviously my excel is doing something weird when it saves it, especially during the times that I don't even touch anything.

Are you saving as CSV comma delimited

Yes. Checked that myself a few times just to make sure.

I'm going to give it a try on my work computer tomorrow. It has a different version is Excel, so maybe that might be the ticket.

Ok, let us know how it goes.

If you have OpenOffice on your system, you might try using that spreadsheet program as well...