The attached template can be used to import matrix products into MicroBiz Cloud v2.0.
A matrix product type allows tracking of product inventory by user-defined attributes - such as color and size. This is most commonly applied for products like apparel, shoes, etc. but can be generally applied when the inventory for the product is necessary to be managed by certain defined attributes or "child" SKUs.
To import data into MicroBiz Cloud, download the attached CSV file, enter or cut/paste information from your current system into the spreadsheet and then import as a CSV into MicroBiz Cloud using the file import wizard (see Settings>Imports). If you need additional help, review the article titled Importing Products via CSV File.
Important: Do not modify the template in any way, such as adding/deleting columns, changing the column headings, or changing the format from CSV.
When entering the attributes below, you can use up to three of any combination of attributes (size, color, subsize, attribute 1, attribute 2, attribute 3). For example, for shoes, you can have a matrix product with size, color, width by using the Size, Color, and Subsize attribute fields, Or for flowers, you can have color, varietal, and pot size by using the Color, Attribute 1 and Attribute 2 by using the Color, Attribute 1 and Attribute 2 fields.
The following chart provides more information on the import fields:
| Field | Required? | Default Values | Allowed Values | Max Length | Notes |
| Product Name | Y | ascii DEC 32-126 | 225 | Product name used on receipts and invoices. This should be the same for all child/matrix SKU variants of a matrix product. Example: if a work shirt came in 3 sizes and 3 colors, all 9 lines would be have a Product Name of 'Work Shirt' | |
| Product Code | Y | [0-9][A-z] | 35 | This is the ID for the 'parent' matrix product. This could be the ordering SKU or vendor ID of the parent product, or another ID. All child/matrix SKU variants of a matrix product must have the exact same Product Code - because this is used to group product variants into a matrix product record. Example: if a work shirt had 3 colors and 3 sizes and and ordering ID of '12345', all 9 lines would have a product code of '12345'. | |
| Color Attribute List | N* | ascii DEC 32-126 | This is the name given to an attribute list for colors. Example 'Standard Colors'. All child/matrix SKUs of a parent product must have the same attribute list name. MicroBiz will automatically link this product to an existing Attribute List or create a new Attribute List based on this field. If the list name entered does not exist, the record will be rejected or a attribute list will be automatically created depending on the import settings. A Matrix product must have at least one matrix attribute such as color, size, fit, flavor, etc. | ||
| Color Option | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | This is the color attribute or variant. Each line of a Attribute List should have a unique option. Example: if a product comes in 3 colors and 3 sizes, there would be 'Red', 'White','Blue' would be listed on 3 lines each. | ||
| Size Attribute List | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | This is the name given to a size list label. All child/matrix SKUs of a parent product must have the same attribute list name. Example: 'Standard Sizes' | ||
| Size Option | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | This is the size attribute or variant label. Example Example: if a product comes in 3 colors and 3 sizes, there would be 9 lines and 'Small', 'Med','Large' would be listed on 3 lines each. | ||
| SubSize Attribute List | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Used for matrix items with subsizes. All child/matrix SKUs of a parent product must have the same attribute list name. See limitations above. | ||
| Subsize Option | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Used for matrix items with subsizes. | ||
| Attribute List 1 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Can be used to add an additional attribute. Note: The import module supports up to three attributes (such as size/color/subsize or size/color/other). If you attempt to create a product with four attributes, it will be rejected. | ||
| Attribute Option 1 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Attribute option for attribute list 1 e.g. 'red', 'Small' must match attribute option code - if the option does not exist record will be rejected or option added depending on settings. | ||
| Attribute List 2 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Can be used to add an additional attribute. See limitations above. | ||
| Attribute Option 2 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Attribute Option 2 | ||
| Attribute List 3 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Can be used to add an additional attribute. See limitations above. | ||
| Attribute Option 3 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Attribute Option 3 | ||
| Attribute List 4 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Currently inoperable. Do not use. | ||
| Attribute Option 4 | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Currently inoperable. Do not use | ||
| SKU | Y* | [0-9][A-z] | 50 | This is the unique SKU or ID for the child product variant/matrix SKU. This should be the ID that you want used on the barcode label for the product variant/matrix SKU. Numeric values recommended - length of 16 or less recommended. SKU values must be unique. For most matrix products, this would the UPC of the child size/color/subsize variant. If in Advanced Settings->Product 'Auto Assign SKU' is set to 'yes', this field can be left blank. | |
| Style | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | 100 | This is the style code for all child/variant SKUs in the matrix product. The style code should be identical for all child/variant SKUs in the Matrix product. | |
| Vendor Name | ascii DEC 32-126 | 50 | Should be same value for all variant SKUs in the Matrix product. If Vendor does not exist it will be added or the record rejected depending on settings | ||
| Brand | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | 50 | Should be same value for all variant SKUs in the Matrix product. If Brand does not exist it will be added or the record rejected depending on settings | |
| Main Category | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | 50 | First level category. Should be same value for all variant SKUs in the Matrix product. If a Category does not exist it will be added or the record rejected depending on settings | |
| Sub Category | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | 50 | Second level category. Should be same value for all variant SKUs in the Matrix product. If a Category does not exist it will be added or the record rejected depending on settings | |
| Product Class | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | 50 | Third level category. Should be same value for all variant SKUs in the Matrix product. If a Category does not exist it will be added or the record rejected depending on settings | |
| Product SubClass | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | 50 | Fourth level category. Should be same value for all variant SKUs in the Matrix product. If a Category does not exist it will be added or the record rejected depending on settings | |
| Replacement Cost | N | 0.00 | 0-99999999.99 | This is the current 'cost' of the item. You can enter different costs for different matrix SKUs. | |
| Average Cost | N | 0.00 | 0-99999999.99 | If you are creating products and provide a replacement cost but no avg cost, the avg cost will default to the replacement cost | |
| Price | Y | 0-99999999.99 | This is the 'retail price' of the product used on register transactions and customer orders. You can enter different prices for different matrix SKUs. | ||
| MSRP | 0-99999999.99 | Manufacturer suggested retail price. You can enter different prices for different matrix SKUs. | |||
| MAP | 0-99999999.99 | Minimum advertised price. You can enter different prices for different matrix SKUs. | |||
| Special Price | N | 0-99999999.99 | Date-based promotional price with the start date of the import. You can enter different prices for different matrix SKUs. | ||
| Product Tax Class | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | 150 | If left blank, system will use default setting. Should be same for all SKUs. | |
| UPC | N | [0-9] | 50 | Alternate ID field. Should be different for each matrix SKU. If a UPC is the only ID for a matrix SKU, we recommend entering the UPC in the SKU field (see above) and leaving this blank. | |
| Alternate SKU | N | [0-9],[A-z],'-' | 100 | Alternate ID field. Should be different for each matrix SKU. | |
| Product ID | N | [0-9],[A-z],'-','\','/' | 100 | Alternate ID field. Should be different for each matrix SKU. | |
| Item Number | N | [0-9] | 50 | Alternate ID field. Should be different for each matrix SKU. | |
| Bin Location | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Inoperable currently. The value will not be imported. | ||
| Storage Location | N | ascii DEC 32-126 | Inoperable currently. The value will not be imported. | ||
| Reorder Quantity | N | 0-9999999 | Can be same or different for each matrix SKU. Will be default to 'None' if no value imported | ||
| Reorder Level | N | 0-9999999 | Can be same or different for each matrix SKU. Will default to 'None' if no value imported | ||
| Vendor Minimum Quantity | N | 0-9999999 | Should be same for all variant SKUs. Will default to 'None' if no value imported | ||
| Vendor Discontinued | N | No | Yes/No | Should be same for all variant SKUs. Will default to 'No' if no value imported | |
| Status | N | Active | Active/Archived | Should be same for all variant SKUs. Will default to 'Active' if no value imported | |
| Allow Fractions | N | No | Yes/No | This is the import field for the 'Sell in Fractional Quantities?' setting. Should be same for all variant SKUs. Will default to 'No' if no value imported | |
| Allow Discounts | N | Yes | Yes/No | Should be same for all variant SKUs. Will default to 'Yes' if no value imported | |
| Allow Returns | N | Yes | Yes/No | Should be same for all SKUs. Will default to 'Yes' if no value imported | |
| Image Path | N | No | path and file name | Allows jpeg, jpg, png files to be uploaded to the product using URL to a server hosting the images. System supports one Image from first matrix SKU line of product will be used. Will error if images URL is added to more that one matrix SKU. | |
| Special Price Begin Date | N | No | Month-day-year* | Should show special price begin date if Special Price exists. *Allowed date format can vary depending on selected date format in Advanced Settings | |
| Special Price End Date | N | No | Month-day-year* | Should show special price end date if Special Price exists *Allowed date format can vary depending on selected date format in Advanced Settings | |
| Product Note | N | No | ascii DEC 32-126 | Is the same for all SKUs. Avoid any special characters and sue only numbers and/or simple characters. |
Common Errors
- Name and Product Code Not Identical for all Matrix SKUs - These fields must be the same for all child SKUs of a parent
- Incorrect Flags - when entering flags for fields such as 'Allow Fractions' and 'Allow Discounts' be sure to use 'Yes' and 'No' and not 'Y" and 'N'.