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How to Use Image Formulas - Practical Examples

Goal: Learn practical examples of cobby image formulas to efficiently manage product images including adding, replacing filenames, displaying URLs, and setting image roles.

Prerequisites​

  • Excel with cobby installed
  • Images stored locally or in media/import folder
  • Understanding of basic Excel formulas
  • Products loaded in Excel

Assign Single Image​

Basic Syntax​

=IMAGE.CREATE("imagename.jpg")

Use when: Image is in Magento's media/import folder and can be referenced by name only.

Full Syntax with All Parameters​

=IMAGE.CREATE("Filename";"Description";Exclude;Small;Thumbnail;Base;"ImageCode1";"ImageCode2";"ImageCode3")

Example:

=IMAGE.CREATE("C:\Users\Markus\Pictures\TEST.jpg";"Test Image";FALSE;TRUE;TRUE;TRUE;"AMAZON";"ZALANDO";"EBAY")

Parameters explained:

  • "C:\Users\Markus\Pictures\TEST.jpg" - Full path to image
  • "Test Image" - Image label/description
  • FALSE - Don't exclude from frontend
  • TRUE;TRUE;TRUE - Set Small, Thumbnail, and Base roles
  • "AMAZON";"ZALANDO";"EBAY" - Custom image codes

Assign Multiple Images​

Basic Syntax​

=IMAGES.ADD(;"image1.jpg";"image2.jpg")

Note: First parameter is empty (;) to add to existing images, or reference column with current images.

With Cell References​

Instead of hardcoding filenames, reference columns:

=IMAGES.ADD(;[@[Image1 Column]];[@[Image2 Column]])

Use when:

  • Image names stored in separate columns
  • Dynamic image assignment based on data
  • Combining multiple data sources

Common Mistakes and Solutions​

Incorrect Image Path​

Problem: Formula doesn't find images because path is wrong.

Wrong:

=IMAGE.CREATE("C:\Users\Images"&[@SKU]&".jpg")

Missing backslash at end of path.

Correct:

=IMAGE.CREATE("C:\Users\Images\"&[@SKU]&".jpg")

Path ends with \ before filename.

Helper Column Method:

Create a helper column with the base path:

  • Column name: "Image Path"
  • Value: C:\Users\Images\
  • Formula: =IMAGE.CREATE([@[Image Path]]&[@SKU]&".jpg")

Key rule: Valid image path always ends with backslash \.

Change Image Filenames​

Goal​

Replace image filenames with SEO-friendly names (e.g., SKU → product name).

Steps​

1. Create Helper Column​

  1. Right-click Images column header
  2. Select Insert
  3. Name it "Original Images"
  4. Copy Images column content to helper column

2. Apply Filename Replace Formula​

In the Images column:

=IMAGES.REPLACEFILENAMES([@[Original Images]];[@[Product Name]])

Result:

  • Old: 24-MB04.jpg
  • New: Blue-Cotton-Shirt.jpg

3. Apply to Multiple Products​

  1. Select formula cell
  2. Drag fill handle down
  3. Formula applies to all products

4. Handle Multiple Images​

For products with multiple images:

  • All images get the same base name
  • Magento adds numbers: Product-Name.jpg, Product-Name_1.jpg
  • Spaces in names become underscores automatically

Video Workflow Example​

Scenario: Rename images using product name instead of SKU

  1. Load demo data (Magento 1.9.0.0)
  2. Create helper column with current images
  3. Apply formula: =IMAGES.REPLACEFILENAMES([@Helper];[@[Product Name]])
  4. Drag formula down for multiple products
  5. For products with multiple images, automatic numbering applies
  6. Save changes
  7. Reload products to verify
  8. Magento converts spaces to underscores

Display Image URLs​

Goal​

Extract and display image URLs for exports, integrations, or verification.

Formula​

Create new column with:

=IMAGES.GETURLS([@Images];";")

Parameters:

  • [@Images] - Reference to Images column
  • ";" - Separator between multiple URLs

Result:

https://store.com/media/catalog/product/i/m/image1.jpg;https://store.com/media/catalog/product/i/m/image2.jpg

Use Cases​

Export to marketplaces:

=IMAGES.GETURLS([@Images];",")

Uses comma separator for CSV exports.

Display first URL only:

=LEFT(IMAGES.GETURLS([@Images];"");SEARCH(";";IMAGES.GETURLS([@Images];""))-1)

Count images:

=LEN(IMAGES.GETURLS([@Images];";"))-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(IMAGES.GETURLS([@Images];";");";";""))+1

Add Multiple Images with Roles​

Goal​

Add multiple images where the first image has all roles set, and additional images are gallery only.

Formula​

=IMAGES.ADD(;IMAGE.CREATE("c:\Users\Eduard\Desktop\Foto1.png";;;TRUE;TRUE;TRUE);"c:\Users\Eduard\Desktop\Foto2.png";"c:\Users\Eduard\Desktop\Foto3.png")

Breakdown:

  • Empty first parameter adds to existing images
  • IMAGE.CREATE(...) creates first image with all parameters
  • ;;; skips Label and Exclude parameters
  • TRUE;TRUE;TRUE sets Small, Thumbnail, and Base roles
  • Remaining images (Foto2, Foto3) are gallery images only

Result:

  • Image 1: All roles set (appears in listings, cart, product page)
  • Image 2-3: Gallery only (appear on product page only)

Change Image Descriptions/Labels​

Goal​

Update image labels for SEO or better organization.

Steps​

1. Create Helper Column​

Column name: "Original Images"
Content: Copy of Images column

2. Apply Label Replace Formula​

In Images column:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@[Original Images]];[@[Product Name]])

Result: All images get product name as label.

3. Position-Specific Labels​

For different labels per position:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@[Original Images]];"0:"&[@[Product Name]]&" - Main View";"1:"&[@[Product Name]]&" - Detail View")

Result:

  • First image: "Blue Shirt - Main View"
  • Second image: "Blue Shirt - Detail View"

Helper Column Strategy​

Why Use Helper Columns​

Benefits:

  • Preserve original image data
  • Easy to modify formulas
  • Test before applying to all products
  • Troubleshoot issues
  • Rollback if needed

Setup Pattern​

  1. Copy original data to helper column
  2. Create formula referencing helper
  3. Test on single product
  4. Apply to all products when verified
  5. Hide helper column when done (don't delete)

Example Workflow​

Column A: SKU
Column B: Product Name
Column C: Images (will contain formula)
Column D: Images Helper (original image data)

Formula in Column C:
=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@[Images Helper]];[@[Product Name]])

Advanced Combinations​

Conditional Image Assignment​

=IF([@Brand]="Nike";IMAGE.CREATE("nike_"&[@SKU]&".jpg";"Nike Product");IMAGE.CREATE("generic_"&[@SKU]&".jpg";"Product"))

Assigns different images based on brand.

Multiple Path Sources​

=IMAGE.CREATE(IF([@[Image Source]]="Local";[@[Local Path]];[@[URL Path]])&[@SKU]&".jpg")

Chooses between local path or URL based on data.

Dynamic Role Assignment​

=IMAGE.CREATE([@SKU]&".jpg";[@[Product Name]];FALSE;[@[Set Small]];[@[Set Thumbnail]];[@[Set Base]])

Uses column values to determine which roles to set.

Troubleshooting​

Formula shows as text

  • Change cell format to General (not Text)
  • Re-enter formula after format change

Images not found

  • Verify path ends with backslash
  • Check image files exist
  • Confirm filenames match exactly (case-sensitive)

Formulas too complex

  • Break into multiple helper columns
  • Test each part separately
  • Use named ranges for clarity

Performance slow

  • Process products in batches
  • Hide unused columns
  • Remove formulas after data is set
  • Use simple formulas when possible

Best Practices​

  1. Always use helper columns for image formula operations
  2. Test on 2-3 products before applying to all
  3. Document your formulas with comments
  4. Backup before bulk changes
  5. Verify in Magento after saving
  6. Keep formulas simple when possible
  7. Use cell references instead of hardcoded values
  8. Follow naming conventions for consistency

See also: Common Excel Formulas for more Excel formula techniques.