How to Import and Export Products in FastCommerce

Managing your product catalog efficiently is essential for running an online store. FastCommerce makes this process simple by allowing you to import products using CSV files and export products in XLSX format. Whether you’re adding new items or updating existing ones, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Import and Export Overview

Import: Upload product information into your store using a CSV file.
Export: Download product information in XLSX format for backup, reporting, or editing.
Custom Data Fields: If custom fields are enabled in your settings, you can include them in both import and export.
Personalization Data: Please note, personalization data cannot be imported or exported.

How to Import Products

To import products into FastCommerce:

From your admin dashboard, go to Products > Import.
Click Download product import template.
Enter your product data in the template and save it as a CSV file.
Back in your admin, click Upload File and select your CSV.
In the pop-up window, use the drop-down menus to map your columns to FastCommerce column headings.
Click Save & Continue.
Preview your first product. If everything looks correct, click Import.

How to Export Products

To export products:

From your admin, go to Products > Export.
Choose whether you want to export All products or Selected products.
Click Export in the upper right corner.
You’ll receive an email with your exported product list in XLSX format.

File Format Requirements

When preparing your CSV file, certain columns are required depending on whether you’re creating new products or updating existing ones:

For new products: The only required column is Title.
For updating products: The only required column is Product ID.

Key Column Details

Product ID: Unique identifier for each product. Required for updates. Must be under 100 characters.
Title: The product name. Required when creating new products. Must be under 100 characters.
SKU: Stock-keeping unit, one of the unique identifiers. Must be under 30 characters.
Barcode: Another unique identifier, used across fulfillment and retail. Must be under 50 characters.
Status: Defines availability — Active, Draft, or Inactive. Required for new products.
Featured: Highlight products on your store with values Yes or No.
Description: Product details in plain text or HTML.
Price / Sale Price / List Price: Regular, discounted, or manufacturer-suggested retail price. Must be decimal values with up to six integers and two decimals.
Inventory: Quantity available for sale.
Product Type: Must currently be set as Physical.
Weight & Unit: Provide weight with units (lb, oz, kg, g).
Page Title & Meta Description: For SEO, with character limits of 70 and 320 respectively.
Categories: Organized with “>” for paths and “#” for multiple categories. Example: Electronics>Cable#Semiconductor Equipment>AMAT.
Media URLs: Image links, separated by commas, under 200 characters.
Tags: Keywords for products, separated by commas, each at least 3 characters.
Related Products SKU: Enter related SKUs separated by commas.
Options & Variants: Define attributes like size and color. Each must be under 20 characters.
Variant Media URLs: Image URLs for specific variants.
Variant Price & Inventory: Provide unique values for each variant.

Final Tips

Always use the provided template file to avoid errors.
Double-check column formats before uploading.
Keep character limits in mind for smooth imports.
Use exports as backups or for bulk editing, then re-import updated files.

Wrapping Up

Importing and exporting products in FastCommerce is a powerful way to keep your product catalog up-to-date. By following the file format rules and using the template, you can easily upload new items, update existing ones, and export your catalog whenever you need.

With these tools, managing your store’s inventory becomes faster, more accurate, and more efficient.