FlowDino Documentation
Discover how to use all FlowDino features
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π Import System
Import System
Discover how to easily import your products in bulk via CSV files with FlowDino
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Import system overview
FlowDino's import system allows you to quickly and easily import hundreds or thousands of products via CSV files. Designed to be flexible and robust, it adapts to different data formats while maintaining the quality and consistency of your catalog.
β CSV import advantages
- Bulk import: Import thousands of products at once
- Structured data: Maintain data consistency
- Flexible mapping: Adapt any CSV format to FlowDino
- Asynchronous processing: Continue working during import
- Real-time tracking: Monitor your imports' progress
π§ Advanced features
- Smart column mapping with automatic detection
- Value mapping to harmonize your data
- Real-time data validation before import
- Data preview before processing
- Batch processing to optimize performance
Required file format
π CSV file requirements
- Format: CSV file (Comma Separated Values) with .csv extension
- Encoding: UTF-8 with BOM recommended for special characters
- Separator: Semicolon (;) or comma (,) according to your preferences
- Headers: Mandatory first line containing column names
π CSV file example
Here's an example of a properly formatted CSV file:
title;description;price;brand;color;size;condition
"Red T-shirt";"100% cotton T-shirt";"15.99";"Nike";"Red";"M";"Very good condition"
"Blue Jeans";"Slim fit jeans";"39.99";"Levi's";"Blue";"42";"New with tags"
"Sport Shoes";"Running sneakers";"89.99";"Adidas";"Black|White";"43";"Good condition"π― Supported fields
Basic fields
- titre / title
- description
- prix / price
- marque / brand
- rΓ©fΓ©rence / sku
- poids / weight
Product attributes
- couleur / color
- taille / size
- matière / material
- Γ©tat / condition
- catΓ©gorie / category
- images / pictures
Step-by-step guide
π― 4-step process: The import process follows 4 distinct steps, each with its specific role to ensure optimal import of your data.
File selection
First step: choose and upload your CSV file, then define its source.
π Location: Main menu β Articles β CSV Import
- Drag and drop your CSV file into the designated area
- Or click to select from your computer
- Select the file source (original sales site)
- The system automatically analyzes the file and detects its columns
File selection interface with source choice
Column mapping
Associate each column of your CSV with corresponding fields in FlowDino and view a preview of your data.
β What this step does
- β’ Smart automatic mapping based on column names
- β’ Ability to manually adjust correspondences
- β’ Preview of mapped data with the first 5 rows
Column mapping interface with correspondences and data preview
Value mapping
Harmonize your CSV values with FlowDino standards to ensure data consistency.
π Mapping examples
"Rouge" β "red"
"Bleu" β "blue"
"TrΓ¨s bon Γ©tat" β "tresbonetat"
"Neuf" β "neufavecetiquettes"
π‘ Tip
Use default values to handle missing or unrecognized data
Value mapping configuration and default values setup
Default values selection
Define default values for missing fields and view an import summary.
β Default values
- β’ Default brand if column is missing or empty
- β’ Default condition if column is missing or empty
- β’ Default color if column is missing or empty
- β’ Default materials if column is missing or empty
π Import summary
View a complete overview of your import before launching
Default values configuration and import summary
Import launch
FlowDino performs final checks then launches the import of your data.
π Validation checks
- β’ Verification that required columns have data
- β’ Error report generation if necessary
- β’ Import blocking if data is incomplete
β‘ Import process
- β’ Data import with real-time tracking
- β’ Progress and statistics visualization
- β’ History consultation in Articles β Import History
Final validation and real-time import tracking
Understanding column mapping
Column mapping is the step that allows you to associate each column of your CSV file with corresponding fields in FlowDino. This step ensures that your data is properly imported.
π How it works
- FlowDino analyzes your CSV file and detects all columns
- The system suggests automatic mapping based on common names
- You can adjust and customize the mapping according to your needs
- Values can also be mapped to harmonize data
π Mapping example
| CSV Column | FlowDino Field | Description |
|---|---|---|
| titre | Title | Product name or title |
| description | Description | Detailed product description |
| prix | Price | Sale price (numeric format or with currency) |
π¨ Value mapping
In addition to column mapping, you can also map values to harmonize your data with FlowDino standards:
Value mapping examples:
CSV: "Very good condition" β "tresbonetat"
CSV: "Rouge" β "red"
CSV: "M" β "medium"
Value mapping and default values
Value mapping allows you to harmonize your CSV data with FlowDino standards. This crucial step ensures that your values are correctly interpreted and integrated into the system.
π How it works
1. Automatic detection
FlowDino analyzes your values and suggests automatic mappings based on common patterns.
2. Custom mapping
You can define your own mappings to adapt your specific data.
3. Default values
Set default values for missing or invalid fields.
4. Validation
The system validates mappings before import to avoid errors.
π Common mapping examples
π·οΈ States/Conditions
π¨ Colors
π Sizes
π Categories
βοΈ Default values
Default values are automatically applied when fields are empty, missing, or contain unrecognized values. They ensure consistency in your catalog.
π When are they used?
- Empty fields in your CSV
- Unrecognized or invalid values
- Missing columns in your file
- To maintain data consistency
β Default value examples
π‘ Practical tips
- Check automatic mappings before importing
- Use default values consistent with your catalog
- Test with a sample before full import
- Document your custom mappings for future imports
- Prefer standardized values to facilitate mappings
- Use preview to validate results
Troubleshooting
β Common problems and solutions
File not recognized
The system doesn't recognize your file as a valid CSV.
Solution: Check the extension (.csv) and format. Try re-saving from Excel with 'CSV UTF-8'.
Special characters displayed incorrectly
Accents and special characters don't display correctly.
Solution: Use UTF-8 encoding with BOM when exporting your file.
Missing required fields
Some products are not imported due to missing fields.
Solution: Check that title and price fields are filled for all products.
π‘ Tips for successful import
- First test with a small sample (10-20 products)
- Monitor import progress in the dedicated interface
- Validate your data before final import
- Use preview to check mapping