Skip to main content

How to Import Product Data

Learn how to import product data from an Excel file into cobby using the Import Mode feature.

Prerequisites​

  • cobby installed and connected to your shop
  • An Excel file with the data you want to import
  • Access to multiple licenses (if importing to a different shop)

Steps​

1. Prepare Your Data File​

  1. Open a new Excel workbook
  2. Structure your data with columns matching cobby attribute names
  3. Example structure:

  1. Save this file and close it
tip

Keep your import file simple - only include the fields you actually need to import. You can hide unnecessary columns later.

2. Load Existing Products​

  1. Open cobby with your current license
  2. Click "Load Products"
  3. Use the Reduced preset
  4. Open the Filter options
  5. Remove the tick from "only active products"
  6. Click Load
Why load all products?

Loading with "only active products" unchecked ensures you can import data for both active and inactive products.

3. Switch License (If Needed)​

If you're importing to a different shop than your current one:

  1. Change to the license for the target shop
  2. Wait for the license change to complete
note

Skip this step if you're importing to your current shop.

4. Start Import Mode​

  1. Open your saved import data file (from Step 1)
  2. In the cobby ribbon, click "Load Products" dropdown
  3. Select "Start Import Mode"

What happens: cobby creates a new sheet optimized for importing data.

5. Clean Up the Import Sheet​

The import sheet shows all available columns. To make it easier to work with:

  1. Look at the new import sheet
  2. Right-click on column headers you don't need
  3. Select "Hide" for each unnecessary column
  4. Keep only the columns that match your import data

6. Copy Your Data​

  1. Switch to your import data sheet (e.g., "Table 1")
  2. Copy each column's values one at a time
  3. Paste into the corresponding column in the import sheet
Important

Manually type values into the "Website Storeview" field - do not copy-paste. Copy-pasted values in this field won't be saved correctly.

7. Save the Import​

  1. Click "Save products" in the cobby ribbon
  2. Watch the job log indicator
  3. Wait until the job log turns green

Note: The status bar (far left column) may remain yellow - this is normal for imports.

8. Handle Errors (If Any)​

If you receive error messages during save:

  1. Identify the problematic attribute column
  2. Right-click on that column header
  3. Select "Hide"
  4. Click "Save products" again
tip

Check our error codes reference to understand what went wrong. You may need to fix data in those columns before importing them.

Troubleshooting​

Products aren't being created

  • Verify that you're using Import Mode (not normal mode)
  • Ensure required fields like SKU are filled

Website Storeview not saving

  • Remember: type this value manually, don't copy-paste

Getting validation errors

  • Hide problematic columns and save
  • Review the error code documentation for specific errors
  • Fix data issues and try again
  • How to Copy Products (coming soon)
  • How to Delete Products (coming soon)
  • Understanding Import Mode (coming soon)