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How to Fix Missing Attributes

This guide helps you troubleshoot when product attributes that exist in Magento don't appear in cobby.

Symptoms​

  • Attributes exist in Magento but are not visible in cobby
  • Expected columns are missing from cobby Excel sheets
  • Attributes appear in some worksheets but not in "AllProducts"
  • Newly created attributes don't show up in cobby

Prerequisites​

  • cobby is properly connected to your Magento store
  • You have access to Magento admin panel
  • The attributes exist and are configured in Magento
  • You have basic understanding of Magento attribute sets

Step-by-Step Solutions​

Solution 1: Rebuild cobby's Index​

The cobby index may be outdated after creating new attributes.

For Magento 1:

  1. Log into your Magento admin panel
  2. Navigate to System > Index Management
  3. Find "cobby" in the list of indexes
  4. Click Reindex Data in the right column for the cobby index
  5. Wait for the reindexing to complete
  6. Open cobby in Excel and load products

Expected result: The new attributes should now appear in cobby.

For Magento 2:

  1. Navigate to https://app.cobby.io/
  2. Go to License Profile > Shop URL
  3. Click Resync
  4. Wait for the synchronization to complete
  5. Open cobby in Excel and load products

Expected result: The new attributes should now appear in cobby.

If this doesn't work: Continue to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Assign Attribute to Attribute Set​

Attributes must be assigned to at least one attribute set to appear in cobby:

  1. Log into your Magento admin panel
  2. Find a product that should display the missing attribute
  3. Open the product for editing
  4. Check if the attribute appears on the product edit page

If the attribute is missing from the product:

  1. Navigate to Catalog > Attributes > Manage Attribute Sets
  2. Select the appropriate attribute set
  3. Find your missing attribute in the "Unassigned Attributes" section
  4. Drag the attribute into the appropriate attribute group
  5. Click Save Attribute Set
  6. Rebuild cobby's index (follow Solution 1)
  7. Open cobby in Excel and load products

Expected result: The attribute should now appear in cobby after reindexing.

Learn more about Magento attribute sets.

If this doesn't work: Continue to Solution 3.

Solution 3: Check the Blacklist​

Some attributes cannot be processed by cobby and are blacklisted:

  1. Check your email for a message titled "Sync Errors" (sent after indexing)
  2. Important: Check your spam/junk folder if you don't see this email
  3. Look for this text in the email:

    "The following attributes use a custom renderer. cobby cannot process these attributes this way, so they have been added to the blacklist."

  4. Check if your missing attribute is listed below this message

If the attribute is blacklisted:

  • cobby cannot process this attribute due to its custom renderer
  • You must manage this attribute directly in Magento backend
  • The attribute will remain functional in Magento, just not editable in cobby

Expected result: Blacklisted attributes cannot be added to cobby. Manage them in Magento instead.

If this doesn't work: Continue to Solution 4.

Solution 4: Check Template Settings​

The reduced template hides certain attributes:

  1. Open cobby in Excel
  2. Look at the current template setting (displayed near the "Load Products" button)
  3. Check if you're using the "Reduced" template

The reduced template hides attributes that:

  • Have no values set for any product
  • Always contain the same value across all products

To switch templates:

  1. Click the lower part of the Load Products button (the dropdown arrow)
  2. Navigate to Template: Reduced
  3. Select Standard

Template selection

  1. Click the upper part of the Load Products button
  2. Check if the attribute now appears

Expected result: The attribute should appear in the standard template.

Additional check:

The "AllProducts" worksheet only shows attributes common to all attribute sets. Check attribute-set-specific worksheets:

  1. Look for a worksheet named after your product's attribute set
  2. Check if the attribute appears in that worksheet
  3. Attributes unique to one attribute set only appear in that set's worksheet

If this doesn't work: Continue to Solution 5.

Solution 5: Check if Using a Saved Workbook​

Working from locally saved Excel files can cause outdated template issues:

  1. Close your current Excel workbook
  2. Do not save if prompted (to avoid overwriting issues)
  3. Open a new, empty Excel workbook
  4. Load cobby products fresh into the new workbook
  5. Check if the missing attribute appears

Important: cobby does not support working from saved copies. Template changes and new attributes are not updated in saved files.

Expected result: The attribute should appear when loading products into a fresh workbook.

Best practice: Always work from new workbooks, not saved copies.

Troubleshooting​

Attribute still missing?

  • Verify the attribute scope (Store View, Website, or Global)
  • Check attribute frontend input type - some types may not be supported
  • Ensure the attribute is set to "Visible" in Magento
  • Confirm the attribute is not set to "Not Visible" in product editing

Check attribute configuration:

  • Navigate to Catalog > Attributes > Manage Attributes in Magento
  • Open your attribute
  • Review all configuration settings
  • Look for any restrictions that might prevent display

Still Having Issues?​

If the attribute remains missing after trying all solutions:

  • Email cobby support at info@cobby.io with:
    • Attribute code and label
    • Attribute type and input type from Magento
    • Which attribute set(s) it's assigned to
    • Screenshot of the attribute in Magento
    • cobby version and Magento version
  • Include the "Sync Errors" email if you received one
  • Specify which template you're using in cobby