Import Catalog
SmarterCommerce offers the option of importing content such as catalogs using an excel spreadsheet template. This allows you to create or update many catalogs at once, as an alternative to making one-by-one updates in Sitefinity/SmarterCommerce.
- Go to SmarterCommerce
- Click Catalog in the Catalog Management section
- Click Import
- Download the import template. This is a pre-formatted template that includes all the relevant information that can be captured in Sitefinity/SmarterCommerce.
- Once the template is populated, click Select Files to find the document on your computer and upload to SmarterCommerce
- Confirm the upload is complete and check for errors.
- Go to SmarterCommerce > Task Manager. Once the Task Status of your file upload is “Done”. Click on that task.
- Click on the "…” which will open a series of options – click Download. Open the downloaded file.
- Check the last two columns Import Status and Import Message to identify and address any errors. Edit and re-upload the file as needed.
Catalog Information
Use this sheet to add or edit key catalog information and settings.
| Name | Explanation | Required | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog ID | Internal unique key/ID for the Catalog. | Yes | Use of “|” not allowed |
| Catalog URL Name | Name of the catalog section of the URL that is public facing. |
Yes |
Must be lowercase, no spaces, no special characters except - ! ( ) @ ' _ Digits allowed. |
| Name | Public facing Catalog name that will display on the website. | Yes | |
| Language | The language code to be used in this field eg EN, ES etc |
Yes | Use standard HTML language codes. (e.g., EN = English; ES = Spanish) |
| Sequence | Determine the sequence (ordering) of the Catalog in relation to any other catalogs. |
Yes |
1 = 1st 2 = 2nd 3 = 3rd Etc. |
| Related Branch Plant | Define the default inventory source for fulfilling orders for products within this catalog. |
If Branch Plant Filter Mode is set to “Filter by Catalog MCU” this field is required. If Branch Plant Add to Cart Behavior is set to “1- Pass to shopping cart lines only” or “2- Pass to shopping cart header and lines” this field is required. | Can only set 1 Branch Plant as the default. Enter the code or ID # of the relevant Branch Plant from your ERP. |
| Branch Plant Filter Mode | Determines if and how products will be filtered. You can filter products based on the customer’s assigned MCU or catalog’s related MCU. | No |
Select from drop-down options: 0- Do not filter = Show all products within this Catalog 1- Filter by Customer = Only show products that are related to the Customer’s assigned MCU 2- Filter by Catalog MCU = Only show products that are related to the Catalog’s Related MCU. This field might be used if a company has multiple branches or divisions that sell the same product, but you only want the catalog to show inventory from one specific branch or division. |
| Branch Plant Add To Cart Behavior | Determines if and how the Branch Plant will affect the shopping cart header & lines in your ERP. This affects pricing, availability, sourcing, and revenue recognition for the product / transaction. | No |
Select from drop-down options: 0- Do not pass branch plant = Don’t send the Catalog’s MCU to the shopping cart header or lines 1- Pass to shopping cart lines only = Send the Catalog’s MCU to the shopping cart lines. This enables pricing, availability, and sourcing to always come from one specific branch for products within this Catalog. 2- Pass to shopping cart header and lines = Send the Catalog’s MCU to the shopping cart lines and header. This will enable pricing, availability, sourcing, and revenue recognition to always come from one specific branch for products within this Catalog. |
| Use Shared Content 1 | You can associate up to 3 pieces of content with a Catalog and choose between using a shared piece of content (created in the Promotional Content module) or create content specific for the Catalog. If you would like to use a shared Promotional Content, you can determine that here. Shared Promotional Content is typically used if you want to have the same content appear in multiple Catalogs. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Y = Use shared Promotional Content #1 N = Do not shared Promotional Content #1 Note: If you choose to use shared Promotional Content, leave the “HTML Content 1” field blank. |
| Html Content 1 | You can associate up to 3 pieces of content with a Catalog, and choose between using a shared piece of content (created in the Promotional Content module) or create content specific for the catalog. If you prefer to create and manage the content specific to this catalog within the catalog’s content, you can enter it here. This is typically done if the content is specific to the catalog and will not be duplicated in other catalogs. This will be the content’s 1st piece of content. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Enter as plain text or HTML. If you choose to use “Shared Content 1”, this field is not applicable. |
| Promotional Content 1 UrlName | Define which shared Promotional Content you would like to associate with this Catalog. This will be the content’s 1st piece of content. |
Only if you choose “Y” for “Use Shared Content 1” | Enter the UrlName of the Promotional Content that you would like associated with this Catalog. The content must be created in the SmarterCommerce Promotional Contents module in Sitefinity before you can associate it here. |
| Use Shared Content 2 | If you would like to use a shared Promotional Content, you can determine that here. Shared Promotional Content is typically used if you want to have the same content appear in multiple Catalogs. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Y = Use shared Promotional Content #2 N = Do not shared Promotional Content #2 Note: If you choose to use shared Promotional Content, leave the “HTML Content 2” field blank. |
| Html Content 2 | If you would like to create content specific to this catalog, you can enter it here. This is typically done if the content is specific to the catalog and will not be duplicated in other catalogs. This will be the content’s 2nd piece of content. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Enter as plain text or HTML. If you choose to use “Shared Content 2”, this field is not applicable. |
| Promotional Content 2 UrlName | Define which shared Promotional Content you would like to associate with this Catalog. This will be the content’s 2nd piece of content. | Only if you choose “Y” for “Use Shared Content 2” | Enter the UrlName of the Promotional Content that you would like associated with this Catalog. The content must be created in the SmarterCommerce Promotional Contents module in Sitefinity before you can associate it here. |
| Use Shared Content 3 | If you would like to use a shared Promotional Content, you can determine that here. Shared Promotional Content is typically used if you want to have the same content appear in multiple Catalogs. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Y = Use shared Promotional Content #3 N = Do not shared Promotional Content #3 Note: If you choose to use shared Promotional Content, leave the “HTML Content 3” field blank. |
| Html Content 3 | If you would like to create content specific to this catalog, you can enter it here. This is typically done if the content is specific to the catalog and will not be duplicated in other catalogs. This will be the content’s 3rd piece of content. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Enter as plain text or HTML. If you choose to use “Shared Content 3”, this field is not applicable. |
| Promotional Content 3 UrlName | Define which shared Promotional Content you would like to associate with this Catalog. This will be the content’s 3rd piece of content. | Only if you choose “Y” for “Use Shared Content 3” | Enter the UrlName of the Promotional Content that you would like associated with this Catalog. The content must be created in the SmarterCommerce Promotional Contents module in Sitefinity before you can associate it here. |
| SEO - Title | Title used for search engine optimization (SEO) / meta data. Displayed in browser title bar and in search results. | No | Cannot be more than 70 characters. |
| SEO - Description | Description used for search engine optimization (SEO) / meta data. | No | Cannot be more than 150 characters |
| SEO - Keywords | Keywords used for search engine optimization (SEO) / meta data and on-site search indexes (Elastic). |
No | Cannot be more than 255 characters. |
| Catalog Page Url | Define a specific page for the Catalog to reside. This is an alternative to using the default Catalog page. |
No | Enter the Sitefinity folder structure for the page. E.g., for the “Product List” page under “Catalog” group enter “Catalog/Product List” |
| Retrieve Nested Products | Determine whether to show products available in child nodes. | No |
Y = Show products available in child nodes N = Hide products available in child nodes and only show the nodes beneath it until the user reaches the final node |
| Nested Products Method | Determine where products available in child nodes are displayed. | Only if “Y” is entered for “Retrieve Nested Products” field |
Select from drop-down options: 1- Starting Display Products at Level = show nested products at the same node level throughout the catalog. Define which level in the next field. 2- Configure on Each Category Node = decide which nodes show nested products and which do not, at the node level. This option allows greater customization of which nodes show nested products and which do not |
| Nested Category Node Level | Determine the level at which you want to start showing nested products (e.g., node level 2). |
Only if “1- Starting Display Products at Level” is selected for “Nested Products Method” | Enter level as a numerical value (e.g., if level 2, then enter “2”) |
| Show Attribute Filters | Use this field to determine if attribute filters will show on all pages with products OR only when the user navigates to the final node. |
Only if “1- Starting Display Products at Level” is selected for “Nested Products Method” |
Y = show attribute filters on each page that displays products N = show attribute filters only when the user navigates to the final node page. By default (if left blank), attribute filters will appear when products are displayed. |
| Enable Products Assembly Reference Id | Use this field to determine if an identification number or letter of your choosing will appear in front of each product within a given node. This is typically used when selling parts online that associate to a parts diagram. The “Assembly Reference ID” can help a user identify which product ties to the numbered item in the diagram. Note: Each parts diagram should have its own node. And the products within that node correspond to that diagram. |
No |
Y = enable / show product assembly reference IDs N = disable / do not show product assembly reference IDs By default (if left blank), Product Assembly Reference ID will not appear. |
Category Nodes
Use this sheet to configure your Category Nodes – their parent, associated content, and more.
| Name | Explanation | Required | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog ID | Internal unique key/ID for the Catalog. Used to associate the Category Node being created with a specific Catalog. |
Yes |
Enter the exact Catalog ID for the Catalog that this new Node will appear in. |
| Parent Node ID (UrlName) | Unique identifier for the category node that you would like as the direct “parent” to the node in the next cell. Used to create the catalog structure and hierarchy. |
Yes | Leave blank for first level nodes. All other nodes should have this value populated. Enter the UrlName for the category node that will appear directly above the node in the column C. |
| Category Node ID (UrlName) | Internal unique key/ID for the Category Node you are adding / editing. |
Yes |
Must be lowercase, no spaces, no special characters except - ! ( ) @ ' _ Digits allowed. |
| Name | Public facing category node name that will display on the website. | Yes | |
| Language | The website translation that this category node will appear for. |
Yes | Use standard HTML language codes. (e.g., EN = English; ES = Spanish) |
| Category Node Url Path | Name of the category node section of the site path that is public facing. |
No |
Must be lowercase, no spaces, no special characters except - ! ( ) @ ' _ Digits allowed. |
| Sequence | Determine the sequence (ordering) of the category node in relation to the other nodes. |
Yes |
1 = 1st 2 = 2nd 3 = 3rd Etc. |
| Is Featured Category | Featured category nodes can be displayed in a dedicated column in the Catalog Navigation Widget. To do this, configure the relevant category nodes as “featured categories” using this field. Then configure the Catalog Navigation widget to display Featured Categories. | No |
Y = Make this Category Node a Featured Category N = Do not make this node a Featured Category |
| Use Shared Content 1 | You can associate up to 3 pieces of content with a Node, and choose between using a shared piece of content (created in the Promotional Content module) or create content specific for the Node. If you would like to use a shared Promotional Content, you can determine that here. Shared Promotional Content is typically used if you want to have the same content appear in multiple Nodes. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Y = Use shared Promotional Content #1 N = Do not shared Promotional Content #1 Note: If you choose to use shared Promotional Content, leave the “HTML Content 1” field blank. |
| Html Content 1 | You can associate up to 3 pieces of content with a node, and choose between using a shared piece of content (created in the Promotional Content module) or create content specific for the nodes. If you prefer to create and manage the content specific to this node within the node’s content, you can enter it here. This is typically done if the content is specific to the node and will not be duplicated in other nodes. This will be the content’s 1st piece of content. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Enter as plain text or HTML. If you choose to use “Shared Content 1”, this field is not applicable. |
| Promotional Content 1 UrlName | Define which shared Promotional Content you would like to associate with this Node. This will be the content’s 1st piece of content. |
No | Enter the UrlName of the Promotional Content that you would like associated with this Node. The content must be created in the SmarterCommerce Promotional Contents module in Sitefinity before you can associate it here. |
| Use Shared Content 2 | If you would like to use a shared Promotional Content, you can determine that here. Shared Promotional Content is typically used if you want to have the same content appear in multiple Nodes. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Y = Use shared Promotional Content #2 N = Do not shared Promotional Content #2 Note: If you choose to use shared Promotional Content, leave the “HTML Content 2” field blank. |
| Html Content 2 | If you would like to create content specific to this node, you can enter it here. This is typically done if the content is specific to the node and will not be duplicated in other nodes. This will be the content’s 2nd piece of content. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Enter as plain text or HTML. If you choose to use “Shared Content 2”, this field is not applicable. |
| Promotional Content 2 UrlName | Define which shared Promotional Content you would like to associate with this Node. This will be the content’s 2nd piece of content. | No | Enter the UrlName of the Promotional Content that you would like associated with this Node. The content must be created in the SmarterCommerce Promotional Contents module in Sitefinity before you can associate it here. |
| Use Shared Content 3 | If you would like to use a shared Promotional Content, you can determine that here. Shared Promotional Content is typically used if you want to have the same content appear in multiple Nodes. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Y = Use shared Promotional Content #3 N = Do not shared Promotional Content #3 Note: If you choose to use shared Promotional Content, leave the “HTML Content 3” field blank. |
| Html Content 3 | If you would like to create content specific to this node, you can enter it here. This is typically done if the content is specific to the node and will not be duplicated in other nodes. This will be the content’s 3rd piece of content. You can choose where the content appears within Catalog Widget settings. |
No |
Enter as plain text or HTML. If you choose to use “Shared Content 3”, this field is not applicable. |
| Promotional Content 3 UrlName | Define which shared Promotional Content you would like to associate with this Node. This will be the content’s 3rd piece of content. | No | Enter the UrlName of the Promotional Content that you would like associated with this Node. The content must be created in the SmarterCommerce Promotional Contents module in Sitefinity before you can associate it here. |
| Related Query | Queries can be used to relate products to the category node. |
No |
Enter the UrlName for the Query as it appears in the SmarterCommerce Query Editor Module in Sitefinity. The query must first be created before it can be associated with a Category Node. |
| SEO - Title | Title used for search engine optimization (SEO) / meta data. Displayed in browser title bar and in search results. | No | Cannot be more than 70 characters. |
| SEO - Description | Description used for search engine optimization (SEO) / meta data. |
No | Cannot be more than 150 characters. |
| SEO - Keywords | Keywords used for search engine optimization (SEO) / meta data and on-site search indexes (Elastic). | No | Cannot be more than 255 characters. |
| Retrieve Nested Products | Determine whether products will show in this node, if you have chosen to configure nested products at the node level for this catalog. |
Only if the Catalog’s “Nested Product Method” is set to “2- Configure on Each Category Node” |
Y = Retrieve nested products at this category node level N = Do not retrieve nested products at this category node level |
| Show Attribute Filters | Determine whether attribute filters will show at this node level of the catalog. | Only if the Catalog’s “Nested Product Method” is set to “2- Configure on Each Category Node” |
Y = show attribute filters at this category node level N = hide attribute filters at this node level |
Category Node Products
Use this sheet to associate products with your Category Nodes.
| Name | Explanation | Required | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog ID | Internal unique key/ID for the Catalog that contains the relevant category node. Used to associate a product with a specific category node. |
Yes |
Enter the exact Catalog ID for the Catalog that this product will appear in. |
| Category Node ID (UrlName) | Internal unique key/ID for the Category Node. Used to associate the product with a specific node create the node structure / hierarchy. |
Yes | Enter the UrlName for the Category Node under which you would like this product to appear. |
| Product Number | The product’s long product number for the product you wish to associate with the Category Node. |
Yes | To associate a product with a category node, enter its Long Product Number. Auxiliary and Short Product Numbers should not be used here. To associate multiple products with a node, create a line/row for each product. |
| Sequence | Determine the sequence (ordering) of the products when the user chooses to sort by “Recommended” . |
Yes |
1 = 1st 2 = 2nd 3 = 3rd Etc. If multiple products have the same sequence value, the products will sort alphabetically. |
| Assembly Reference Id | Use this field to assign an Assembly Reference ID (or part number) for this product/item within this node. This is typically used when selling parts that are associated with a parts diagram. |
This field only applies if “Enable Products Assembly Reference Id” is set to Y (yes). |
Enter the number or letter that corresponds to this product in the product diagram. For example, if this node is the Engine Diagram, and this product corresponds to part #15 in the diagram, then enter “15” in this field. If left blank, the product will not have a number/letter before its product name. Each Product within a Category Node can only have one (1) Assembly Reference ID. That same product can have different Assembly Reference ID in a different Node. |
Category Node Images
Optional – use this sheet if you would like to associate images with your Category Nodes.
| Name | Explanation | Required | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog ID | Internal unique key/ID for the Catalog that contains the relevant category node. Used to associate an image with a specific category node. | Yes |
Enter the exact Catalog ID for the parent catalog of the Category Node ID. |
| Category Node ID (UrlName) | Internal unique key/ID for the Category Node. Used to associate the image with a specific node. |
Yes | Enter the UrlName for the Category Node you would like this image to be associated with. |
| Image Title | Image that you want associated with the Category Node. |
Yes |
Enter the exact image title as it appears in the Sitefinity image repository. Do not include the extension (e.g., .jpg, .png) Reminder: The Image must first be uploaded into Sitefinity before associating it to a product. |
| Language | The website translation that this category node image will appear for. |
Yes | Use standard HTML language codes. (e.g., EN = English; ES = Spanish) |
| Alternative Text | Alt Text; Short description of image, used for accessibility and SEO. |
No | Enter as plain text. |
Catalog Images
Optional – use this sheet if you would like to associate images with your Catalog(s).
| Name | Explanation | Required | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog ID | Internal unique key/ID for the Catalog. Used to associate an image with a catalog. | Yes |
Enter the exact Catalog ID for the Catalog that this image will appear in. |
| Image Title | Image that you want associated with the Catalog. |
Yes |
Enter the exact image title as it appears in the Sitefinity image repository. Do not include the extension (e.g., .jpg, .png). Reminder: The Image must first be uploaded into Sitefinity before associating it to a product. When associating multiple images in one import, all the images must be saved in the same Library. |
| Language | The website translation that this catalog image will appear for. |
Yes | Use standard HTML language codes. (e.g., EN = English; ES = Spanish) |
| Alternative Text | Alt Text; Short description of image, used for accessibility and SEO. |
No | Enter as plain text. |
Category Node Badges
Optional – use this sheet if you would like to associate badges with your Category Nodes. Catalog Badges must first be created in the SmarterCommerce Badges module (under Catalog Management) in Sitefinity.
| Name | Explanation | Required | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog ID | Internal unique key/ID for the Catalog that contains the relevant category node. Used to associate a badge with a specific category node. |
Yes |
Enter the exact Catalog ID for the parent catalog of the category node, as it appears in the SmarterCommerce Catalogs Module in Sitefinity. |
| Category Node ID (UrlName) | Internal unique key/ID for the Category Node. Used to associate the badge with a specific node. |
Yes | Enter the UrlName for the Category Node you would like this badge to be associated with. |
| Badge UrlName | Badge UrlName (unique ID) for the Badge that you want associated with the category node. |
Yes |
Enter the exact Badge UrlName as it appears in SmarterCommerce Catalog Badges Module in Sitefinity. The badge must first be created in Catalog Badges module in Sitefinity before associating it to a node. |
Matrix Allowed Children
Optional – use this sheet if you would like to customize which matrix variations appear on your ecommerce site.
| Name | Explanation | Required | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog ID | Internal unique key/ID for the Catalog that contains the relevant matrix products. |
Yes |
Enter the exact Catalog ID as it appears in the Catalog module within Sitefinity. |
| Category Node ID (UrlName) | Internal unique key/ID for the Category Node that contains the relevant matrix products. |
Yes |
Enter the exact Category Node ID as it appears in the Catalog module within Sitefinity. |
| Parent Product Number | The product number of the matrix product. |
Yes | Enter the long product number for the parents of the child product you want to appear on the ecommerce site. |
| Child Product Number | Define the Matrix product variations that you would like to appear on your ecommerce site. |
Yes | Enter the Long Product Number for the child product you want to appear on the ecommerce site. |
Assignment
Optional – use this sheet if you would like to restrict / customize who can view each Catalog. You can customize this based on select fields in your ERP: Address Book Category; Consumer Category; Customer Number, Consumer number, or Web account. Any catalogs without an Assignment will be publicly available / visible to all.