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How to Split Products to Attribute Sets

Distribute imported product data from a single spreadsheet to multiple attribute sets automatically using cobby's "Split to Attribute Set" function.

Split to Attribute Sets

Prerequisites​

  • cobby Excel add-in installed
  • Product data with attribute set assignments
  • Basic Excel formula knowledge
  • Understanding of your store's attribute sets

When to Use This​

Use this process when:

  • Importing products from suppliers that belong to different attribute sets
  • Bulk creating products across multiple categories
  • Processing product feeds that contain mixed product types

Method 1: Without Template (First-Time Import)​

Use this method when importing data from a new source for the first time.

Step 1: Prepare Product Data​

  1. Open the Excel file containing your new product data
  2. Format the data as a table: Press Ctrl+A then Ctrl+L
  3. Confirm the table creation dialog

Step 2: Add Column Prefixes​

Add prefixes to distinguish your import columns from Magento columns:

  1. Insert a new row above your column headers
  2. In the first cell of the new row, enter the formula: ="prefix-"&[Column Name]
    • Example: ="her-"&TableElectronics[[#Headers],[Article Number]]
  3. Drag the formula across all column headers
  4. Copy the new row and use Paste Special → Values to replace the original headers
  5. Delete the formula row

Step 3: Add Attribute Set Column​

  1. Add a new column named "Attribute Set" to your table
  2. For each product row, enter the name of the target attribute set
  3. You can use Excel formulas to automate this assignment based on product characteristics

Step 4: Load Import Mode​

  1. In cobby, load the import mode
  2. Select the "Default" template
  3. Click Load Products

Step 5: Split to Attribute Sets​

  1. Click the Split to Attributeset button in the cobby ribbon
  2. cobby will distribute your data to the appropriate attribute set sheets
  3. Yellow columns will appear in each attribute set containing your import data

Yellow import columns

Step 6: Map Data with Formulas​

Map your import data (yellow columns) to Magento attributes using Excel formulas:

Direct assignment:

=[@[prefix-Article Number]]

Combine multiple columns:

=[@[prefix-Name]]&" "&[@[prefix-Height]]&" "&[@[prefix-Width]]&" "&[@[prefix-Depth]]

Result: "Madison LX2200 67.5 mm 48.85 mm 26.25 mm"

Lookup with translation table:

Create a reference table matching your values to Magento values:

Color translation table

=INDEX(Colors[Own Color],MATCH([@[prefix-Color]],Colors[Manufacturer Color],0))

Step 7: Save Products​

  1. Review all formula mappings to ensure data is correctly assigned
  2. Click Save Products in the cobby ribbon
  3. New products/data will be imported to your store

Step 8: Save as Template (Optional)​

To reuse these mappings for future imports:

  1. Clear the contents of all yellow columns in each attribute set
  2. Keep the formulas in the Magento attribute columns
  3. Click the dropdown arrow on Load Products → Template → Save
  4. Enter a template name and save

Method 2: With Existing Template (Recurring Imports)​

Use this method when you have a saved template from previous imports.

Step 1: Open Supplier Data​

  1. Open your supplier's Excel file
  2. Ensure the data is formatted as a table

Step 2: Load Template​

  1. In cobby, click Load Products → Template
  2. Select your saved template from the list
  3. Click Load

Step 3: Verify Column Headers Match​

Critical: The yellow column headers in the template must exactly match your supplier data:

  • Same spelling
  • Same capitalization
  • Same spaces
  • No extra characters

Tip: Use Power Query to transform supplier data to match your template format automatically.

Step 4: Split to Attribute Sets​

  1. Click Split to Attribute Set
  2. Your data will automatically populate the yellow columns
  3. Existing formulas will map data to Magento attributes automatically

Step 5: Verify and Save​

  1. Review the mapped data in each attribute set
  2. Verify formulas executed correctly
  3. Check that values appear in the correct Magento attribute columns
  4. Click Save Products

Tips for Success​

Using Power Query​

For recurring imports with varying formats, use Excel's Power Query to:

  • Standardize column names
  • Transform data to your template format
  • Clean and validate data before import

Formula Best Practices​

  • Test formulas on a small dataset first
  • Use absolute references ($) for lookup tables
  • Add error handling with IFERROR() to catch missing data
  • Document complex formulas for future reference

Template Management​

  • Create separate templates for each supplier
  • Name templates descriptively (e.g., "Supplier-Electronics-Import")
  • Regularly update templates as attribute structures change
  • Keep a backup of working templates

Troubleshooting​

Problem: Split to Attribute Set button does nothing

Solution: Verify you have an "Attribute Set" column with valid attribute set names. Check spelling matches exactly with Magento attribute set names.

Problem: Formulas return errors after splitting

Solution: Check that yellow column headers exactly match your formula references. Look for extra spaces or capitalization differences.

Problem: Data appears in wrong attribute sets

Solution: Review your "Attribute Set" column values. Ensure they match Magento attribute set names precisely (case-sensitive).

Problem: Some products don't import

Solution: Check that all required attributes for each attribute set have values. Missing required attributes will prevent product creation.