Map your product data
An overview on preparing product data for export to external channels via the Productsup Dataflow.
Introduction
Export channels only accept product data that match their specifications. In Dataflow, you can map attributes derived from imported data to meet these requirements.
By default, most of your data's attributes automatically map to an export channel after you set one up. You can also map your product data manually via a drag-and-drop interface between the three large columns in Dataflow. These columns are:
Import - Contains attributes based on your import source.
Intermediate - Contains the most common attributes found on a range of external channels.
Export channel - Contains attributes specific to one export channel.
This document covers the basics of attribute mapping. For a more thorough description, see Organize your Dataflow columns and attributes.
Prerequisites
Before you can export product data, you must complete the following steps:
Set up at least one site
Complete a product import
Set up at least one export channel
Map import data attributes for export
The following example demonstrates how to map imported product data to Google Merchant Center.
Go to Dataflow from your site's main menu.
Select which export channel you want to export to; this example uses Google Merchant Center.
To map Import attributes to Intermediate attributes:
In the Import column, select a node on an attribute.
In the Intermediate column, select a node on an attribute.
Map Intermediate attributes to the export channel, following the same steps noted in step 3.
Tip
Alternatively, you can map an attribute to another by placing your cursor over an attribute's node, holding the mouse button down, and dragging a guideline that appears to the second attribute.
Export your data
There are two ways to export data in Dataflow. If you want to initiate a complete data flow process, from import to export to all channels:
Select the Run button.
If you want to export current imported data to all export channels:
Select the Export button.
If you want to export existing data to only one export channel:
Go to Exports from your site's main menu.
Select the Export button for that channel. This example exports only to Google Merchant Center.
Delete attribute maps
You can delete connections between import and intermediate attributes as follows:
Rest your cursor over the guideline connecting the attributes.
Select the guideline.
Select Yes from the pop-up menu.
Create new attributes
To add new attributes to the Intermediate and Export columns:
Scroll to the bottom of the column to add a new field and select Drop or Click to add new field.
In the dialogue box, enter a name for the attribute.
Select Save, and this attribute is now available for mapping.
Delete user-defined attributes
To delete any attributes you previously created:
Rest your cursor over the attribute.
Select the X icon.
Confirm you want to delete this attribute by selecting Yes.
Map attributes across multiple sites in bulk
If you need to create connections between the same attributes in multiple sites, you can use the Bulk Option feature to save time.
Note
You must have the same attribute names across the sites where you want to use a bulk action that adds a connection in Dataflow.
Go to the account or the project level and select Bulk Option.
Choose the sites where you want to create connections and select Next Step.
Choose Add Dataflow Connection and select Next Step.
In the Dataflow drop-down list, choose whether the platform should add connections between the import and intermediate stages or the intermediate and export stages.
If you select Intermediate - Export, you need to additionally choose a relevant export in the Export drop-down list.
Enter the names of the attributes you want to map. A list with all available attributes appears as you type.
If you chose Import - Intermediate, enter the name of the import-stage attribute in Source column and the name of the intermediate-stage attribute in Intermediate Column.
If you chose Intermediate - Export, enter the name of the intermediate-stage attribute in Intermediate Column and the name of the export-stage attribute in Export Column.
Select Execute.
A final confirmation screen shows whether the bulk action was successful.
You can leave this screen by selecting Return to account page. You can also go to one of the sites where you performed the changes by selecting the name of the needed site.
