Find below how it looks inside our software for Shopify

Step 1 – Feed configuration

There are several options exist how to upload XML file
— from PC
— from URL, FTP, Dropbox, Google sheets etc.
— from Email
— sometimes it is necessary to download file from supplier website under client's login & password (it is possible but will require custom development)

Video instructions - creating a supplier's feed and uploading a file

Step 2 – XML format selection

— by default, the system does not know the format of file you defined,
— clever algorithm tries to detect format itself (in your case XML file) for Shopify
— if you see any issue with format detection, you can set the right variant manually

Step 3 — XML tags definition for XML file

— each XML file for Shopify import has tags

— user has to define what XML contains names, what column contains prices. It is columns matching
— there are 2 ways how to do that for XML file at yfifx
1) via tags definition

Step 4 — Define XPath for required fields of your XML file

A standard XML file consists of two blocks: a block with categories and a block with a product card. A block with a product card may include a sub-block with images, a block with characteristics, a block with product variants

Video instructions - Xml file structure

Step 4.1 — categories

1) First, we define the root elements that contain categories and input them in the lines "Category._Item" and "Category._Root". The XPath to the root elements is inputed through "//"

2) Next, we input XPath for the attributes of the "category" tag: "id" and "parentId". XPath to the attributes is inputed via "//@"

3) Input XPath for the category name. To do this, we need to extract the values of the "Category" tag. The XPath for the category name will be "//text()"

4) Each product card has a tag that indicates which category this product has. Usually this tag is called "CategoryID". The XPath for "CategoryID" is inputed in the line "Product.CategoryId"

Video instructions - Input XPath for the category

Step 4.2 — a product

1) We define the root elements that contain the product card and input their XPath in the "Product._Root" and "Product._Item" lines. In some files there is no root element "Product._Root", in this case we input only "Product._Item"

Video instructions - Root element of product card

2) Then input the XPath to the values of the SKU (required input field), Name, Quantity, Price, etc.

Video instructions - The XPath to the values of the data

Step 4.3 — images

1) If the images are a separate block in the product card, then input the XPath to the root elements of the block with images and the tag that contains the link to the image

2) If the link to the image is registered as a separate tag in the product card, then input the XPath to the link in the line "Product.ImageUrl"

Video instructions - import images

Step 4.4 — features

1)If the features are located in a separate block in the product card, then input the XPath to the root elements of the block in the lines "Product.Features_Item" and "Product.Features_Root"

2) The XPath to the name and value of the feature is inputed in the lines "Product.Feature Name" and "Product.Feature Value"

3) If the features is located in the product card, then input the XPath to it in the line "Product.FeaturesExtra". First we input the name of the features, then "[--->]" and the XPath to the features. If there are several such features, then the separator between them will be - "[next]".

Step 4.5 — products with variants

1)Import product variants is similar to importing a product, first we also define the root elements of the block with product variants and input the XPath to them in the lines "Variant._Root" and "Variant._Item""

Video instructions - The root elements of the block with product variants

2) Next, input the XPath to the product variant data that you need to download

Video instructions - The XPath to the product variant data

3) product options with variants. If the options of products with variants are located in the file by separate tags, then input the XPath to it in the line "Variant.OptionsExtra". First, input the name of the option, then "[--->]" and the XPath to the option. If there are several such options, then the separator between them will be - "[next]"."

4) If the product options with variants are located in a separate block, then input the XPath to the root elements of the block in the lines "Variant.Options_Root" and "Variant.Options_Item". The XPath to the name and value of the option is inputed in the lines "Variant.Option Name" and "Variant.Option Value"

Video instructions - product options

Automatic Categories import to your Shopify store

You can import categories from any csv xml excel file into your shopify .
We store categories from source file like tags.
You can use tags for building smart categories for your shopify store.

You can map source categories names (or paths) to categories from your store.
For mapping you hae to use excel file with 2 columns: source and target.

Additionally it is possible to exclude not necessary categories from import.

features import

Options & variants products import into Shopify

YfiFX allows you to import Options & variants products import into Shopify in a bulk.

Limits for Shopify
– up to 3 options per 1 product
– up to 100 variants per 1 product

You can load options and variants from any type of file source: csv excel xml json.

Bulk Images import for Shopify Products

Shopify images import - short instruction

Step 1. Import data into yfifx (to appropriate supplier section)

Step 2. Update Main Feed At yfifx - Run "Repricing" function

Step 3. Export updated data from yfifx into your Shopify online store.

Stocks & prices update

yfifx is a Shopify inventory management software. yfifx allows you to manage your Shopify product and variation stocks using a simple grid view.

Sync Algorithm

It allows merchants to import 1K-200K products into your online store stores automatically.
1. Categories management for your online store
If category does not exist (is new) it will be created in the other case creation will be skipped.
2. Products management for your online store
If product does not exist (will be checked by SKU) it will be created in the other case for product will be updated Price, STOCK / Quantity, Availability.
3. Bulk your online store products import specification
The following fields will be imported for new product:
- SKU,
- name,
- quantity,
- availability,
- price,
- all images,
- features,
- options (variants) with all relations,
- descriptions: short & full,
- assignment to category ( 1 or many).

FAQ

Yes, we do. All variants will be extracted correctly. For example sizes, colors will be extracted with appropriate sku, price, availability.

Yes, you can.

Yes, you can.

Yes, you can.

Yes, we support it.

Yes, we do.

Supplier Integration

Do you have a supplier that you want to integrate with yfifx? No problem, we can integrate!

Api access

Export data

Copying the supplier’s feed to the Main feed

Before starting to work in the yfifx service, as a rule, you already have your Main feed, information from which goes to your online store — this is the name and description of products, their prices, and availability. You download this Main feed right away when you start working in the service, if you have one.

You also download and update the price feeds of your suppliers and create references between the products in these price lists. You may need to form the Main Feed from scratch or supplement it with some new supplier’s feeds. You can then delete unnecessary commodity items within the framework of a specific price list.

There are three ways to copy products from the supplier’s feed to the Main feed. With any method of copying, the references between the products of the supplier and the Main Feed are built automatically.

Copying products through the function “Copy supplier’s feed into Main feed”

With this method of copying, all products from the supplier’s feed are copied, and the function “Categories Mapping” is also available.

Select  Functions in the menu and in the drop-down list press — “Copy supplier feed into Main feed”.

In the window that opens, select the Supplier Feed of the supplier from which you want to copy the products and click “Run copy”.

Copying products from the supplier’s price page

This method is convenient when you need to copy all the products, and when you need to copy part of the products from the supplier’s price list, for example, products to which  Filter is applied.

Go to the supplier’s price page and click “Copy all to the Main Feed”:

Selective copying of products from the supplier’s feed to the Main feed

Go to the supplier’s price page, select the necessary products for copying with checkmarks and click “Copy to Main Feed”:

Errors, why the product may not be copied

It quite often happens that you start copying a product, but it does not happen.

The reasons why the product is not copied into the Main Feed are as follows:

1. This product is already in the Main Feed. How to check what to do: open the Main Feed and enter the article of the copied product into the search and see if it exists. If so, then build a reference with the product that you want to copy or delete it and copy it again.
2. This product has a reference with the product from the Main Feed. The reference can be with a non-existent product in the Main Feed, then the plus sign of the links does not glow green. How to check what to do: open the References button in the supplier’s feed, then click “Show bad references” and enter our article in the search. If a reference is found, you can delete it. You can remove all broken references if you are at the stage of initial settings and testing.
3. You are using category matching (if you don’t use it, this item is not relevant for you) and it is not specified for the category of the copied product. How to check what to do: open the copied product (the Open button for the product), go to the Categories tab and copy the entire category line. Then go to the menu “Functions — Copy supplier feed into Main feed”, select the supplier and download the file of Categories Mapping (button “Download template”). Open the Excel file and look for a product category in it (CTRL + F). If it is not there, add it to the file and repeat copying.
4. If items 1-3 have been checked and the product is still not copied, write to us, and we will help you solve the problem.

Translate Shopify product texts, content, features, options

If you need to get translations for your texts or to mix data from different sources or to translate text via Google / Bing / Yandex translate services via API.

Translations – how to do and why they are needed.

Translation of text from one language to another

Translating text from one language to another works through the Google translation API.

It is configured through the Settings of the Main Feed and works when the product is copied from the supplier’s feed to the Main Feed or at the level of the supplier’s feed and works when the price list is loaded.

In the Settings of the feed in the line “Google Translate” it is necessary to register from which language to translate, to which language to translate and ApiKey according to the formula: From | To | ApiKey. The language codes can be found

Replacing one word with another

This translation option requires compiling a dictionary and works when the product is copied from the supplier’s feed to the Main Feed. Additionally, you can call translations from the dictionary during the import of products into the price list  through functions.

The function “translations” is needed, for example, for the following cases in the processing of prices.
1. Replace one word from the original price list with another, or delete it altogether.
For example, in the product description, there is a phone number that must be deleted or changed to your own.
2. Massively change one word / phrase to another.
For example, when you need to convert sizes from the US system to the Russian system.

A set of translations is compiled.

Go to the “Words replacement” tab:

Compiling a dictionary of translations:

Setting up translations for files in Excel format.

In the advanced settings of Excel download, a formula is set for the required field,
for example,
= Translator.StringFullChange (F) — replaces phrases one to one
or
= Translator.TranslateText (F) — used to replace the original word with a new one inside the text.
Where F = the column from which the source string will be taken for translation.

It is important to understand that it is the words that are replaced, not the parts of the words.

If you need to replace parts of words, then use the standard C# function — string.Replace (“from”, “to”)

An example of translating option values in the price list

Setting up translations for files in any format.

Go to Functions — Content — Translation prices:

Select the price and fields for which you want to start the translation and click “Run”:

Bulk feeds updater

Bulk feeds updater is an alternative to “Scheduler”, suitable for prices downloaded locally. Bulk feeds updater allows in one window to configure the loading of prices for updating, to start further updating and export of the Main Feed.

All tasks are launched with the settings with which they were launched last time.

Feeds Priority

By default, none of the feeds has a preference. But it so happens that you need to select a supplier. For this, the function “Feeds Priority” is used.

So If the product has supplier related products, and if at least one of them is in the feeds’ priority, then the one with the higher priority will become the “winner”, its prices and quantities will be used in the recalculation for the item from the Main Feed.

Go to Configuration — Feeds Priority. In the window that opens, put a check mark “Use feeds priorities”, move the lines, set the required order of suppliers’ feed and click “Save”:

Export Main Feed

To update information about products already on your website, use the function of the yfifx  — export Main Feed (from the service).

Export Main Feed to a file

Export Main Feed to a file is carried out simply: in the menu, click Functions — Export Main Feed. In the window that appears, click on Export config for Main Feed:

In the window “Export config for Main Feed” select the file type. Then click “Save” (3) and close the  window:

In the “Main Feed Export” window, click Run. When the export to file is finished, you can download the file from the Exported Files column:

Export Main Feed to email

To export the Main Feed to e-mail, you must:

1. Select the file format into which the Main Feed will be uploaded.
2. Write down the e-mail to which the Main Feed will be sent in the selected format.
3. Next, click “Save”, close “Export config for Main Feed” window and start the export:

Upon completion of the export, a letter with the unloaded Main Feed file will be sent to your e-mail:

Categories mapping to your site’s categories

It so happened that in most cases there are no categories in the Supplier’s Feed, but the opposite situation also happens — they are.

When a supplier provides in its feed and categories, it becomes necessary to compare these categories with their categories, with the categories of the Main Feed. This is not an obligatory action if you have your own generated feed, and you only need to update prices and quantities.

When you need it

This is relevant when copying a supplier’s feed to a Main Feed in the following cases:

• When you create your Main Feed from supplier’s feed (you do not have your own feed), and categories are needed here.
• Adding (manual or automatic) new products from Supplier’s Feed to Main Feed (to your feed). Products need to fall into the correct categories for your feed, and this setting can help with this.

For this to work, the Supplier’s Feed must be loaded with categories. Whether there are categories in the Supplier’s Feed can be checked by going to the desired Supplier’s Feed and pressing the Categories button, there will be something like this picture:

If there are categories, you can make settings for the mapping of these categories to your categories — the categories of the Main Feed.

How to do it

In the yfifx menu, select Functions → Copy supplier feed into Main feed:

A dialog box will open, in which you need to select the Supplier’s Feed from which we will copy the products to the Main Feed and for which you need to configure the mapping of categories. Choose from the list of Supplier’s Feed and download the template (list of categories) for customization:

A template is an Excel file with a list of categories. In the second column, you need to indicate the name and nesting of your categories, where you need to transfer products from the Supplier’s Feed to the Main Feed (your feed).

If the category and products do not need to be moved, leave the cell empty:

After editing the file, save it and load it back into the system for the required Supplier’s Feed:

Example categories mapping

 1 Block  — the names were changed with nesting categories

 2 Block — empty cells, these categories will not be copied.

3 Block — if you need to combine several categories into one, write the same name for the destination category.

Update Main Feed content from the supplier

In the Main Feed in yfifx, you can add or update content from other suppliers feed that are in the yfifx.

Why is it needed — if the products in the Main Feed do not have enough content, you can add or update it from any other upload that you have. This can be downloading content from the supplier’s site, for example. Or any other content uploaded to the PM.

As a result, the function allows you to “enrich” your product cards with missing content from other sources.

In addition to content, you can update any other parameters, such as product weight, manufacturer, manufacturer’s article, etc.

To update the content, you must:

1. create a supplier’s feed in the PM and upload a file to it
2. build references between the products of the Main Feed and the supplier feed, where the content was uploaded;
3. launch the content update function, which will update the Main Feed using the created references.

To start the content update function, go to Functions — Content — Update Main Feed content from the supplier

In the window that opens, select the supplier’s feed from which we will update the Main Feed and select the field that needs to be updated. There are three update options: update always, update only if empty, and add new values (for arrays only).

Building references between products in the yfifx service

Building references is a comparison of a product from the Main Feed and a product from the supplier’s feed, and the subsequent updating of the product from the Main Feed with a product from the supplier’s feed using the constructed reference.

Why do this?

Sometimes the same product may have a different SKU and other characteristics. The SKU created by the manufacturer may differ from the SKU at the seller, or the name of the product may be in different languages ​​in different price lists, or supplied from different places, etc. References between products help to avoid duplicates on the site and correctly make a margin, taking into account the minimum purchase price of suppliers (the minimum prices can also be seen in the Summary report, if references are configured).

There will be one product on the site (no erroneous repetition) with a margin on the supplier’s minimum price.

There are two types of references — made manually and automatically. In practice, this is, as a rule, a combination of both options, when the automatic algorithm works first, and then what is not automatically linked is completed manually.

Building references automatically

In the personal account of the user of the yfifx service, in the menu, click on Functions and select “Build references” from the drop-down list.

References between products are made according to the article (the best option), name or other data. In the settings, specify between which supplier feed to create a reference now (1), select the field for referring (2) and start the process (3).

After the end of the process of building references, the “Preview of references built  by process” window opens. In this window, you can save all created references to the base or delete references:

After building references, products with reference change the color of the plus sign — from gray, it turns green. When you click on the plus sign, a plate about the product appears, in which you can see in the feed of which supplier this product is and what the purchase price and the sales price (in this example, with a 10% markup).

Even if the product in the updated feed of the supplier disappears and then reappears, the reference will be restored. That is why, within any supplier’s feed, you can selectively delete or all products, but not the supplier’s feed itself (the supplier’s feed is removed from the list of feeds by clicking on Remove on the right in the feed page). If you completely delete the supplier’s feed itself, then all data from the system will disappear, and you will have to reload the supplier’s feed, set the correspondence of fields and create reference between the products of this supplier’s feed and others.

Building references manually

To set up the reference between the products of the Main Feed and the supplier’s feed:

1. Select a product in the supplier’s feed and click on “+” (1);
2. Click on “Add reference” (2);
3. In the window that opens, select the supplier’s feed with which you are making a reference (3);
4. Select the desired product from the list or search for it using the search bar on the right (4)
5. Select the desired product (5);
6. Click “Add reference” (6).

Updating the parent feed by SKU

There are situations when a supplier gives one price list with the content of products, and in another price list, for example, prices and quantities. In order to combine these two price lists into one — in the yfifx, it is possible to create prices — parent (main content) and child (for example, prices and quantities).

When loading a child price list, the fields specified in the download settings, for example, prices and quantities, will be automatically updated in the parent feed. The parent feed is updated according to the article.

How to create and update a parent price list

1. We load the parent feed first.
   For example, I load a price list in which there are no prices and quantities, and I will need to update these columns from the second price list:

2. Create a second price list, into which we will load the child feed.

3. For the settings for updating the parent feed, you require knowing the ID of the parent feed. To do this, in the created price list, click on the name of the price list. From the displayed list of all suppliers feed, you require finding the parent feed and remember its ID.

4. Next, click on the “Upload” tab.
5. In the download window, select the appropriate download type (1) and click the lowest line “Extra settings” (2).
6. In the line “Parent Price ID” — write the ID of the parent feed.
7. In the line “ParentPriceUpdateProcessingMode (Qty, Price, RRP, Weight etc.)” — write the field that needs to be updated, if there are several fields, then separated by commas. For example, if you need to update the price and availability, write in the line — Qty,Price(3).
8. Click “Continue” (4) and load the price list as usual.

9. As a result of loading the child feed in the parent feed, the fields that you specified in the settings will be automatically updated according to the SKU. In my case, after loading the child feed in the parent feed, prices, and quantities were updated:

Available fields to update

Using this method of updating, you can update not only the quantities and the price, but most of the fields in the yfifx. Examples of field names can be found in this table:

Matching product features

In this manual, we will analyze the “Matching features” function.

For example, in the Supplier feed there is a feature “Height (mm)”, and in the Main Feed the same feature  is spelled out as “Height, mm”. In order not to create duplicate features when copying products from the Supplier feed to the Main Feed, you can use the “Matching features” function.

To do this, in the Supplier feed, go to the “Matching features” tab:

For mass editing of features, click “Download current settings” (1), the file will be downloaded in which you need to write the renamed features in the second column. You can also edit features in the file for all categories or for specific categories. After finishing editing the file, upload it to the service by clicking on the button “Upload new settings” (2)