Task Pane (Magento)
The cobby Task Pane is a right-side panel that provides advanced editing capabilities for complex data types and attributes. The panel enables management of product data that goes beyond standard table editing.
Interactive Demo
Feature Set
The Task Pane comprises nine specialized functional areas for product data management.
1. Store View Management
Type: Multi-Store Management
Function: Enables moving and adding products to store views.
Operations:
- Add products to store views
- Move products between store views
- Single-click operations for quick assignments
Mass Processing: Supported
Use Case: Multi-store environments with product assignments across different store views
2. Category Management
Type: Category Assignment
Function: Manages product category assignments through selection and assignment.
Operations:
- Add categories
- Remove categories
- Modify categories
- Multi-selection supported
Mass Processing: Supported
Interaction: Selection-based category assignment
3. Tier Pricing
Type: Price Management
Function: Edits tier pricing structures for quantity-based pricing.
Operations:
- Define price tiers
- Set quantity-dependent prices
- Adjust price tiers
Mass Processing: Supported
Use Case: Particularly suitable for processing external price lists with tiered prices
4. Date Attributes
Type: Date Field Management
Function: Manages date-based product attributes.
Supported Date Fields:
- Created Date
- Update Timestamps
- Special Price Dates
- Activation Dates
- Additional date-based attributes
Mass Processing: Supported
Input Format: Date selection via integrated date fields
5. Product Relationships
Type: Relationship Management
Function: Controls product links and relationships.
Managed Relationship Types:
- Cross-Sell Products
- Assigned Products
- Configurable Products
- Simple Products
Operations:
- Link products
- Change order
- Disconnect links
- Reorganize relationships
Mass Processing: Supported
6. Image Management
Type: Media Management
Function: Manages product images and their properties.
Operations:
- Add images
- Change image order
- Label images
- Delete images
Advanced Features:
- Formula-based optimization for streamlined management
- Batch processing of image attributes
Mass Processing: Supported
Supported Attributes: Image labels, alt texts, image roles, visibility
7. HTML Content Editor
Type: Rich-Text Editor
Function: Edits HTML-formatted content in product attributes.
Operations:
- Add HTML code
- Edit HTML code
- Delete HTML code
Editor Integration: Embedded HTML editor in the Task Pane
Use Case: Product descriptions, short descriptions, custom HTML attributes
Mass Processing: Limited (editor-specific)
8. Dropdown Fields
Type: Attribute Value Management
Function: Displays Magento dropdown options with inline editing capabilities.
Supported Dropdown Types:
- Manufacturer
- Origin
- Delivery Time
- Custom Dropdown Attributes
Inline Functionality:
- Rename option values
- Add new options
- Manage options directly in the Task Pane
Synchronization: Changes are applied directly to Magento
9. Error Assistant
Type: Validation Tool
Function: Validates data entries and provides correction guidance.
Functionality:
- Automatic validation on data entry
- Identification of incorrect entries
- Display correction recommendations
- Inline error hints
Validation Types:
- Data format validation
- Required field validation
- Value range control
- Referential integrity
Output: Error messages with specific correction hints
Task Pane Activation
Access: cobby Excel Toolbar → Task Pane Button (Element 12)
Display Position: Right-side panel
Behavior: Context-sensitive based on:
- Selected cell
- Selected column
- Attribute type
- Data type
Persistence: Remains open until manually closed
Mass Processing
The Task Pane supports mass operations for most functional areas.
Supported Functions:
- Store View Management
- Category Management
- Tier Pricing
- Date Attributes
- Product Relationships
- Image Management
Not Supported:
- HTML Content Editor (editor-specific)
- Individual Dropdown Operations (context-dependent)
Selection Method:
- Select multiple rows in Excel
- Call Task Pane function
- Changes are applied to all selected products
Technical Specifications
Integration: cobby Excel Add-in
Display Technology: Custom Task Pane (Office-native)
Update Behavior: Real-time synchronization with Excel data
Data Persistence: Changes are committed on "Save Products"
Undo Function: Available via "Reset Product" until save
Required Components:
- cobby Excel Add-in installed
- Active shop connection
- Valid cobby license
Data Flow
Excel Row (Selection) → Task Pane (Editing) → Excel Data (Update) → Save Products → Shop Database
Update Model: On-demand (user-initiated)
Validation Timing: On input (Error Assistant) and before save
Conflict Handling: Last-write-wins with validation
Usage Patterns
Context-Sensitive Activation
The Task Pane displays different functions based on the selected context:
| Selected Context | Available Task Pane Functions |
|---|---|
| Category Column | Category Management |
| Image Column | Image Management |
| Date Column | Date Attributes |
| Dropdown Column | Dropdown Fields |
| HTML Column | HTML Content Editor |
| Price Column | Tier Pricing (context-dependent) |
| Multiple Rows | Mass Processing Functions |
Workflow Integration
Typical Workflow:
- Load products in Excel
- Select row(s)
- Open Task Pane
- Use desired function
- Make changes in Task Pane
- Close Task Pane
- Save products