Resolved Mapping CSV Fields to Virtuemart Install

Hello Phil,

I thought were the right fields to create the values for and yet I'm not seeing them in the installation when I try to map them

You are doing very well, when I look at the CSV file you have posted, it looks good. So you are definitely on the right track.

It sounds like you are missing fields. Did you (or the owner) already install the CSVI VirtueMart add-on? If not, you can download them from Downloads -> CSVI Pro Extensions.

If you have already done that or after you have done that please follow these steps in the Missing Fields in CSVI.

That should give you all the fields you need. Since your CSV file looks good I think you can create a template easier. Go to Templates -> Templates and click New. Fill out the details on the first page where action is Import, Component is VirtueMart and Operation is Product. Save the template (not Save & Close). Go to the Images tab and check that everything is set correct there. You need to set Save images on server to Yes. Save the template and start the import. That should get you going I think.

Hello Rolandd,

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

Done what was suggested. It did an import, it states processed 42, however going to the products shows the screenshot. It appears the mapping has not worked.

Was I meant to map the fields after what you stated? but it instructs on the getting started that it's either via template or field mapper. I did try going back after the import but screenshot csvi-import2 shows that it's locked?

Thanks again.

If it doesn't work after this, I can setup an account for you it that saves time providing you don't mind to have a look first hand.

Phil

Hello Phil,

Was I meant to map the fields after what you stated?

That is not necessary because the Use column headers as configuration is set to Yes. So it will read the first line of your file as fields.

The field mapper is only a tool for creating a template with fields.

I did try going back after the import but screenshot csvi-import2 shows that it's locked?

Items in Joomla are locked when you edit them. If you then do not use the toolbar to save or close them, they don't get unlocked.

You don't need the field mapper anymore if you already have a template.

Done what was suggested. It did an import, it states processed 42, however going to the products shows the screenshot. It appears the mapping has not worked.

What has happened is that another language is used. Go to Templates -> Templates and edit your template. Go to the Options tab and set the correct language to use.

If it doesn't work after this, I can setup an account for you it that saves time providing you don't mind to have a look first hand.

No need for that, that is why I ask for the information at the top of the page under Looking for a useful answer?. With that info, especially the debug log, I can see enough.

Hi rolandd,

The language is set to English en-GB and there are no other options in the drop down to choose.

I did look at including a log however it's empty. Screenshot attached.

Gone to extensions > languages and made sure Englsih en-GB is set to default and installed which it is. Does the language need to be specified in the csv then? I can do that if required.

Let me know if I can provide any further information that might be helpful.

Phil

Hello Phil,

I did look at including a log however it's empty. Screenshot attached.

I can see that it says No debug log found, which means you did not follow the steps as outlined in the documentation. Go to How to collect debug information and it explains how to enable it. This link is also provided at the top of this page.

Does the language need to be specified in the csv then? I can do that if required.

No need for that, since you only have 1 language, something else has gone wrong I assume. The debug log will tell us.

Hi Rolandd,

Yes your are right, sorry I did miss the enable debug. I've just ran another 2 imports after doing what it suggested which was update the fields.

Debug info attached. Not sure what it's saying as a whole but the first message says picture_url is not supported by csvi.

The template does read as you suggested component > vituemart, operation > product, image tab > save images on server = yes.

Thanks again.

Hello Phil,

I missed that field, picture_url, this field only exists for the product export. This is a special field for exporting the image including domain name. The usual field for images is called file_url. So that field will need to be renamed. The images should be processed then.

Do you still see the missing language ID message in VirtueMart? If so, you don't happen to have Joomla installed with en-US? (Not sure where you are )

Inching closer...

However the image url is being pre-fixed with the hygiene66 url. So I have removed that from the CSV and just made it the image-name.jpg & updated the template, image tab, product image location (screenshot).

Tried 4 or 5 times, cleared caches. Can't think what else to try?

Thanks

Hello Phil,

The location of the image files is wrong. This is the physical location on the server. Please empty that field and use the default value unless you have moved the image folder but that I doubt.

Now you get this message:

The file /.../public_html/templates/virtuemart/bautique/http://www.hygiene66.co.uk/images/products/clearup-anti-bacterial-wipes50.jpg has not been found.

There is a typo in the CSV file:

_name, file_url

notice the space before file_url, that needs to be removed. Not for the processing but for consistency

Okay, changed back template image address, kept csv the same with just image-name.jpg no url. Moved images to relevant location.

Success!!!

The language doesn't appear to be an issue and corrected the white space (i did notice but had already send csv file ).

I'm going to give the csv example to another client for them to put all the info in. Looking through the csv file and then the virtuemart backend product specific details, I notice I'm missing a few data fields which would speed up the process.

product_s_desc
product_price
price_with_tax
category_path

Would you recommend another other fields in your experience that save time or prove worth putting in?

< /> of questions!

Thanks for all the help RolandD, you have been so very knowledgable and helpful. I'll make sure once I finish this today to write a review, praising the support

Phil

Hello Phil,

Glad to hear things are coming together.

The price_with_tax is not needed because you have the product_price field already. Prices are always stored without any taxes, as taxes are calculated based on the fly.

Would you recommend another other fields in your experience that save time or prove worth putting in?

The published field can be useful to auto-publish products on import. In case needed, the manufacturer_name field might be useful.

I am glad I was able to help you out.

Super thanks. CSV fine, been asked my business partner to add multiple images to the file_url and also a downloadable pdf tech spec for each product.

Do I just separate multiple image values with a comma in the file_url field (for the pictures)?
What field would you recommend to attach a pdf downloadble file?

This is being handed over tomorrow so there's little scope now for extra questions!!!

Thanks again.

Hello,

Do I just separate multiple image values with a comma in the file_url field (for the pictures)?

Not a comma but a |-symbol (pipe).

What field would you recommend to attach a pdf downloadble file?

Also the file_url field. This field is not limited to images only, but all kind of media files.

If I am not mistaken if you import a PDF file as media item, it will become a link on the front of the site, or at least you can make it so in the design.

Thank you for the help.

Today, been given the information that makes this import more complicated.

For each product there will be 1-4 PDF's attached.
2 weights and 2 sizes for some of the products and up to 6 colours per product.

Aaagh!

We talked about using file_url for PDF attachments but this begs the question how would the csv map to virtuemart, knowing where to put say PDF 1 top left, pdf 2 top right etc etc?

Reading https://www.csvimproved.com/en/support/import/203-virtuemart/1047-custom-fields-for-all-for-virtuemart
do I create custom fields for all 4 PDF attachments, 2 weights and 2 sizes and reference by Title? (screenshot & sample csv attached) in the CSV?

I did install the customfieldsforall plugin but when adding a new custom field I'm not seeing an option for selecting a plugin? (screenshot attached).

Thanks again RolandD

PS not forgot about writing review

Hello,

We talked about using file_url for PDF attachments but this begs the question how would the csv map to virtuemart, knowing where to put say PDF 1 top left, pdf 2 top right etc etc?

I don't really understand this question. What is top left/top right?

I did install the customfieldsforall plugin but when adding a new custom field I'm not seeing an option for selecting a plugin? (screenshot attached).

Did you buy the Custom Fields For All from BreakDesigns? If so, you should ask them for support why their plugin doesn't show up. Do you need that plugin?

If the weight and colour fields are going to be plain String fields, you can use it as it is in your CSV file now. As for the PDF's, you can still use the file_url field to add them to a product, you just need to separate them with the |-symbol. I guess the issue is that I have no clue what you mean with top left/top right. Let's clear that up first.

I see so I don't need to have a column in the csv for each PDF, pdf one | pdf two etc will suffice in one column. That's fine.

So if I have a file_url column for image and file_url column for upto 4 pdfs in the csv do I have to map the file_url for the pdfs so they show in a certain place on the product page? or do I just use 1 file_url column in the csv separated by | and the PDF's will be added to the product page elsewhere?

I'm basically confused with where the PDF's will be output on the product page - hence the left right comment and me asking do I have to map them.

Hope that's cleared my questioning up a bit.

Thanks

So if I have a file_url column for image and file_url column for upto 4 pdfs in the csv

That is going to be 1 column only. Images/PDFs go into the same field, they are all just media.

do I have to map the file_url for the pdfs so they show in a certain place on the product page?

You would need to do this in your template. As far as I know you can't tell an image where to show on the page by a setting. It should be part of your template design.

Oh I see so virtuemart or the template should recognise the .pdf file and assign it to a place on the product page?

I assumed it would need to be told.

The PDF files are available in the templates just like the rest of the product information.