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Product Filter

Overview

The product filter is a pre-load filtering mechanism that restricts which products are transferred from Magento to Excel. Filtering occurs before data transfer, reducing load time and improving performance compared to Excel's native table filtering.

Default Behavior

  • Automatically applied when "Load products" button is clicked
  • Loads default storeview values only
  • Filters for active products only (inactive products excluded)

Filter Components

Store Scope Selection

ComponentTypeDescription
Storeview selectorMulti-selectEnables multiple storeviews for simultaneous editing
Store hierarchyTree viewDisplays websites, stores, and storeviews

When multiple storeviews are selected, columns for each storeview appear in Excel with inherited or storeview-specific values.

Product Status Filter

OptionDefaultDescription
Active products onlyEnabledFilters visible products only
All productsDisabledIncludes both active and inactive products

Note: Status changes made in Magento backend require closing and reopening Excel to reflect in the worksheet.

Attribute Filters

Selection/Multiple Selection Attributes

  • Applies to attributes with predefined value lists
  • Uses checkbox selection interface
  • Supports multiple value selection
  • Examples: Manufacturer, Color, Size

Filter Logic: Products must match at least one selected value (OR logic).

Text Attributes

Attribute TypeFilter SyntaxExampleResult
SKUStarts with00123All SKUs beginning with "00123"
NameStarts withAdidasAll product names starting with "Adidas"
Multiple valuesComma-separatedAdidas, NikeProducts starting with "Adidas" OR "Nike"

Filter Position: Text search operates on exact attribute matches from the attribute dropdown selection.

Attribute Set Options

OptionDescriptionImpact
Hide empty AttributeSetsExcludes attribute sets with no matching productsReduces Excel columns and improves load performance
Show all AttributeSetsDisplays all attribute sets regardless of product countComplete attribute set visibility

Filter Access

Location: "Load products" button dropdown menu → "Filter..."

Interface: Modal dialog with three sections:

  1. Storeview selection (top)
  2. Text attribute filtering (middle)
  3. Selection attribute filtering (bottom)

Copy Selection for Filter

Feature: Transfers selected Excel cell values into filter criteria.

Supported Attributes:

  • SKU
  • Any text-based attribute displayed in Excel

Input Method:

  • Copy from Excel selection (Tools → Copy selection for filter)
  • Paste into filter dialog attribute field (Ctrl+V or right-click paste)
  • Supports multiple values (newline or comma-separated)

Performance Characteristics

ScenarioFilter ImpactExcel Filter Impact
10,000 products, filter to 100Loads 100 rowsLoads 10,000 rows (9,900 hidden)
Multiple storeviewsOnly selected storeviews loadedNot applicable
Attribute setsCan exclude entire attribute groupsAll columns loaded

Optimization: Pre-load filtering reduces memory usage and initial load time by transferring only matching products.

  • How-To Guides:
    • How to Use the Product Filter (coming soon)
    • How to Filter by Multiple Storeviews (coming soon)
    • How to Use Copy Selection for Filter (coming soon)

Technical Notes

  • Filter state persists across Excel sessions
  • Changes to filter require clicking "Apply filter" then "Load products"
  • Inactive products require explicit checkbox change before reload
  • Storeview changes appear immediately after "Load products"
  • Database-level changes (imports) may require resynchronization