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How to Preview Product Images While Working

Goal: Display product images in a separate window while editing product data, making it easier to write descriptions and verify image assignments.

Prerequisites​

  • Excel with cobby installed
  • Products loaded with images
  • cobby Task Pane accessible

Enable Image Preview Temporarily​

1. Select a Product Image​

  1. Open your Excel workbook with loaded products
  2. Navigate to any store view
  3. Click on a product's cell in the Images column

2. Open Image Preview​

  1. The cobby Task Pane opens on the right side
  2. Click on the picture frame icon in the Task Pane

3. Use the Preview Window​

  1. A new window opens displaying the product's images
  2. The window stays on top of other windows
  3. Switch to different products - images update automatically
  4. Use arrow buttons to navigate through multiple images

Enable Image Preview Permanently​

1. Access Settings​

  1. Click on a product's Images column cell
  2. In the cobby Task Pane, click the cogwheel icon
  3. Check the option "Always show Image Preview"

2. Save and Apply​

  1. Click Save in the settings dialog
  2. Click Reload products in cobby
  3. The Image Preview window opens automatically

3. Disable When Done​

To turn off permanent preview:

  1. Open cobby Task Pane
  2. Click the cogwheel icon
  3. Uncheck "Always show Image Preview"
  4. Click Save

Working with Image Preview​

  • Use arrow buttons to move between images
  • Images display in order of their position
  • Click on any product to see its images immediately

Write Descriptions​

  1. Open Image Preview window
  2. Select the product's description cell
  3. View the image while writing
  4. Switch between products without closing the preview

Verify Image Assignments​

  1. Navigate through products using arrow keys
  2. Check that correct images are assigned
  3. Verify image quality and content
  4. Confirm image order and roles

Use Cases​

Bulk Description Writing​

  1. Enable permanent Image Preview
  2. Navigate through products row by row
  3. Write descriptions while viewing each product image
  4. Save time by not switching contexts

Image Quality Control​

  1. Open Image Preview
  2. Review each product systematically
  3. Note products requiring new images
  4. Verify image resolution and clarity

Category Assignment​

  1. View product images while assigning categories
  2. Make informed categorization decisions
  3. Ensure products are in appropriate categories

Product Data Verification​

  1. Cross-reference images with product attributes
  2. Verify color, size, and style attributes match images
  3. Identify mismatched or incorrect data

Troubleshooting​

Image Preview not opening

  • Verify images are assigned to the product
  • Check that cobby Task Pane is open
  • Try clicking directly on the picture frame icon

Images not displaying (Magento 2)

  • This is expected behavior for Magento 2
  • media/import folder is protected via .htaccess
  • Images cannot be displayed in preview
  • Image import still works normally

Preview window disappears

  • Check if window is minimized to taskbar
  • Reopen by clicking picture frame icon in Task Pane
  • If permanently enabled, reload products

Wrong images showing

  • Click directly on the product's Images cell
  • Wait a moment for images to load
  • Verify the correct product row is selected

Navigation arrows not working

  • Ensure product has multiple images assigned
  • Check that images loaded successfully
  • Try reloading the product

Important Notes​

Magento 2 Limitations​

In Magento 2, the media/import folder is protected via .htaccess configuration:

  • Images cannot be accessed directly
  • Preview feature won't display images
  • Image import functionality is not affected
  • All image operations work normally

Performance Considerations​

  • Large images may take time to load
  • Multiple previews won't slow down Excel
  • Preview window uses minimal system resources
  • Close preview if experiencing performance issues

Advanced Tips​

Multiple monitors: Drag preview window to second monitor for efficient workspace.

Keyboard shortcuts: Use arrow keys to navigate products quickly while preview updates automatically.

Quick toggle: Use temporary preview when you only need occasional image reference instead of permanent mode.