A Custom Export Operation allows you to send your listing data from our system to your external partners or platforms in the format they require. Whether you’re sharing your listings with a marketplace or integrating with a pricing tool, this feature gives you complete control over which data is sent and how it’s formatted.
What Is a Custom Export Operation?
A Custom Export Operation is a feature that lets you extract your listing data, such as SKU, listing price, inventory levels, titles, images, and attributes, from our system. You decide which fields to include and how to arrange them, ensuring that your partner receives exactly the information they need.
Rather than getting into technical details, think of it as a way to tailor the data you share. You choose the format (CSV or TSV) and can include or exclude headers based on your partner’s requirements.
How Does It Work?
When you run a Custom Export Operation, our system processes your listing data in manageable chunks. This ensures that even if you have a large catalog, the operation runs smoothly. Once the export is complete, you’ll receive a file via an HTTP download link (or via FTP if that method is preferred).
The operation is designed for simplicity. You don’t need to worry about how the data is retrieved behind the scenes—just focus on selecting the data you want to send and the format you need.
Setting Up a Custom Export Operation
1. Accessing the Export Feature
Log in to your account and navigate to the Channels section and select the channel you want to configure. In the channel settings, locate the Custom Export Operation option.
2. Configuring the Operation
Once you’re in the Custom Export Operation area, follow these steps:
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Give It a Descriptive Name: Choose a name that clearly identifies the export (for example, “Marketplace Listing Export”).
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Choose Your Delivery Method: Decide whether you want the file delivered via S3 HTTP (a direct download link, which we recommend) or via FTP. (If you choose FTP, you will need to enter the host, username, password, port, and any required subfolder provided by your partner.)
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Select the File Format: Choose between CSV (Comma Separated Values) or TSV (Tab Separated Values). This setting determines how your data is separated in the file.
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Mapping Your Fields: Select which listing data to include. Common examples include SKU, Listing Price, Inventory Level, Title, Images, and Attributes. In the mapping template, you can also rename these columns to match your partner’s naming conventions.
Tip: If you’re unsure, perform a test export with a few records to verify that the data appears as expected.
3. Advanced Settings (Optional)
In the Advanced Settings section, you can fine-tune your export output to match your partner’s requirements. Here are the settings you might encounter:
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File Name & Date Format: Specify a file name and, if desired, append a date to help you track exports. A help icon is provided next to the date format field if you need additional guidance on how to format dates.
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File Headers: Decide whether your export file should include headers. If you opt out, the system will rely on the column order to interpret the data correctly.
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Excel Sheet Index: When exporting data from a multi-sheet Excel file, use this setting to specify which sheet to export.
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Group Header Naming Format and Options Numbering: These settings help organize attribute and option columns consistently. You can choose whether the attribute type appears before or after a numeric index (e.g., “Attribute_name_1” vs. “Attribute_1_name”), and you can also decide if options numbering should start immediately after attributes.
4. Running and Monitoring Your Export
After configuring your export, you have two options:
- Run the Export Immediately: Click “Run Export” to generate your file right away. Note that if you’re delivering via HTTP, the file won’t be available until after the export job completes.
- Schedule the Export: If you prefer automation, set up a schedule (daily, weekly, etc.) so the export runs regularly.
Once the export has run, you can check its status in your notifications within the platform. If there’s an issue, you can review the export details to see what needs to be adjusted.
FAQs
What if I need to change the columns later?
No problem, you can update the mapping template at any time. Simply add or remove columns as needed to match your current requirements.
Can I filter which listings get exported?
Yes, you can apply filters to the export. For example, you might choose to export only listings that are in stock or those belonging to a specific brand.
Do I need any special software to open the exported file?
Most exports are generated in CSV format, which can be easily opened with common spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or similar software.
Is there a limit to how many listings I can export?
There isn’t a hard limit on the number of listings. However, very large catalogs might take a bit longer to process. Our system’s pagination is designed to efficiently handle large amounts of data without compromising performance.