Collections - Export and Import

[Bulldogfallon]

Hi -

Is there a way to create "new" collections through a csv import?

I need create a couple hundred of them - would actually be great if there was a tool to import and columns to assign how products were assign (like we do when we individually create them in the admin portal)

[IP1999]

You can create tags using csv import and then have your web site generate filters based on tags. 

[Bulldogfallon]

How does that generate a new collection thru an import?

I don’t think this tool is available with Shopify - I’ll look at some of the Apps I guess

[Elias]

Hi, @Bulldogfallon.

Thank you for reaching out and posting this question!

You can create new collections by adding a collection column exception  to the CSV when importing products. However, there isn't a way to create collections only using CSV. It's also worth noting if the collection doesn't exist already, then a manual collection is created. However, if an automatic collection already exists, then the product will also need to meet the conditions for the collection in order to be imported successfully. 

I noticed that you're a new member of our Shopify Community! I'd love to hear more about your business and share some resources to help you get started. What kinds of products are you selling? Have you started developing a marketing plan for your store?

[Bulldogfallon]

So let me see - I could create a dummy product to import and add the “collection” field to the CSV column and it would create a new collection with manual product selection ….then I guess I would have to open each one and change to auto based on tags —maybe a little time savings …

really wish Shopify would make a collection CSV template with import - export abilities 

[IP1999]

or you can add all your items in the file to the colleciton you want them to be in

[Elias]

Hey, @Bulldogfallon.

Thank you for following up and sharing this feedback!

You can definitely create a dummy product for each collection that you wish to create, which will save you some time. However, you can also incorporate the collection column onto our sample CSV file and use that for when you start importing products. 

I can see how working with collections using CSV files and being able to import or export them can be a useful feature for our merchants working with larger catalogs and I'd be happy to pass this suggestion along to our development team. If you'd like to stay updated on our platform updates or new releases, then be sure to keep an eye on the Shopify Changelog where we share these types of announcements.

If you have any other questions on this topic, don't hesitate to let me know!

[novastables]

THat link doesn't go  to a sample csv?

[Elias]

Hey, @novastables.

Thank you for joining the thread!

The sample CSV can be downloaded from our guide, Using CSV files to import and export products. Simply click on Download a sample CSV file and then sample product CSV file. Here's a screenshot to help you with navigating the Shopify Help Center:

That being said, I'd love to hear more about your business. What types of products are you selling? Do you have a marketing plan prepared for your store?

[novastables]

Hi Elias, I used Matrixify to export products from BC, worked ok, but none of the categories (collections) were exported.
I used Matrixify because they generated redirects.

(Don't understand why I need to pay them monthly after the initial upload it appears I can download a csv file make changes and upload, am I missing something that I need to use them in the future?)

Back to collections I have a field that can contain severl levels of products
Level1/level2/level etc.

HOw can I setup several levels with a file upload, too many products to do manually.
Is there a guide for collections

[Elias]

Hi, @novastables.

Thanks for following up.

I'm not sure why you would need to continue paying for Matrixify after the initial export and import of your products. However, it's possible this is required for the redirection that you've mentioned to keep working. Since this is a third-party app, then I'd recommend getting in touch directly with the app developer to better understand the impacts if you decide to stop using their app. If you need to get help with a third-party app, then you can simply contact the developer using the contact information found at the bottom of their app's page.

As for the collections, you will need to add a collection column exception in order to import collections as indicated on our guide - 'Using CSV files to import and export products'. However, while our collections don't have levels, you can set up the navigations of your store using multi-level drop-downs menus. 

If you have any other questions on this topic, then don't hesitate to let me know!

[novastables]

So if I upload the multi level field from BC in a new column like Level1/level2/level etc.

Say we have 10,000 products with 200 different categories or collections as they called in shop what will the results be in the product file and how can I make mega menus for 200  collections.

[Elias]

Hey, @novastables.

You can place the 200 categories into the collection column for each product on your CSV file as indicated in the Collection column exception section of our guide. However, it's important to note that the collections do not have levels or folders on the backend of Shopify, but they can be further organized using drop-down menus for the header menu of the Online store for your customers. Based on the screenshot you've shared, it does look similar to the header menu of our Online stores. 

Here's a screenshot of how collections appear in the Shopify admin:

Here's an example of a drop-down menu with 3 levels in the Shopify admin:

Here's how the sample menu appears in the header menu of the Online store:

I hope this helps clarify your question. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[novastables]

Got it, thanks

[Renars]

Hello @novastables 

You sure do not need to continue to pay for the Matrixify app subscription if you no longer need to use it in your Shopify store.

Of course, you can do many actions with our app so you might need it in the future.

But if you do not know that you need it, batter to not if you are not using the app and cancel the app subscription before 30 days have passed since you activated the app charge so that you are only charged for that charge period.

You can cancel the app subscription by uninstalling the app or switching it to the Demo plan.

As for the collections from BigCommerce - the app should migrate Products and also collections those products are in as returned by the BigCommerce API.

If anything did not work as expected for you, please reach out to our support directly so that we can assist you further.

[novastables]

thanks