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Product Custom Attributes Import

Updated

This guide shows you how to manage product custom attributes using the Product Custom Attributes Import. This import is essential for Amazon integration and other sales channels, allowing you to control inventory synchronization, pricing, and SKU mapping between Pulse Commerce and external marketplaces.

Important: Navigate to Import/Export from the top navigation bar → Select Import → Choose Product Custom Attributes Import

When to Use Product Custom Attributes Import

This import is essential for:

  • Amazon Integration: Control which products sync to Amazon Seller Central
  • Multi-Channel Selling: Manage attributes for eBay, Walmart, and other marketplaces
  • Custom Product Data: Add product-specific attributes not in the standard Product Import
  • Inventory Sync Control: Set channel-specific inventory levels and pricing

What Are Custom Attributes?

Custom Attributes are name-value pairs attached to products:

  • Attribute Name: "Amazon Active", "Amazon SKU", "Amazon Price", etc.
  • Attribute Value: The data stored (1, 0, SKU-123, 29.99, etc.)
  • Sort Order: Display order (numeric, max 4 chars)
  • Visible: Whether to show on product page (1 or 0)
Simplified Import: This import is a condensed version of the full Product Import, focusing only on custom attributes. It's faster and easier to use when you only need to manage custom product data without touching other product fields.

Template Overview

The Product Custom Attributes Import template includes:

  • 2 Required Fields: Product Name, SKU
  • 3 Attribute Fields per attribute: Custom Attribute, Sort Order, Visible
  • Flexible structure: Add as many custom attributes as needed per SKU

Step 1: Download and Prepare Template

1Navigate to Import/Export → Import → Product Custom Attributes Import

2Click Download Template and Download Legend

3Open the template in Excel or Google Sheets

Step 2: Fill In Product Information

1Enter Product Name for each SKU (max 255 characters)

2Enter SKU - must match existing product SKU exactly

Step 3: Add Attribute

1Add Attribute Value, SortOrder & Visible If you add Amazon Attribute then replace Available on, Available on(SortOrder) Available on(Visible) with Amazon Active, Amazon Active(SortOrder)& Amazon Active(Visible)

2If you ant to add more Attribute repeat the step. For example, if you want to add the attribute Year, the next columns will be:Year, Year(SortOrder) & Year(Visible)

4Set Custom Attribute(Visible) to 0 (hidden from storefront)

Multiple Attributes Per SKU: To add multiple attributes to one product, either:

  • Use multiple columns (Custom Attribute 1, Custom Attribute 2, etc.), OR
  • Create multiple rows with the same SKU (one row per attribute)

Check the template structure to see which format your system uses.

Step 5: Import Your Attributes

1Save your file as CSV (UTF-8 encoding)

2Navigate to Import/Export → Import → Product Custom Attributes Import

3Click Choose File and select your CSV

4Click Submit to process the import

5Review the import log for success confirmation

Step 6: Verify Attributes

1Go to Products → Product List

2Edit a product and check the Custom Attributes section

3Verify your  attributes appear correctly

Use Case 1: Enabling 100 Products for Amazon

Scenario: You want to sell 100 specific products on Amazon.

CSV Example (minimal):

Product Name SKU Custom Attribute Custom Attribute Value Visible
Widget Product WIDGET-001 Amazon Active 1 0
Gadget Product GADGET-002 Amazon Active 1 0

Repeat for all 100 SKUs. Import to enable Amazon sync.

Use Case 2: Different SKUs in Pulse vs Amazon

Scenario: Your Pulse SKUs don't match Amazon SKUs.

Solution: Add Amazon SKU attribute to map between systems.

Example:

  • Pulse SKU: WIDGET-001
  • Amazon SKU: AMZ-WIDGET-001
  • Custom Attribute: Amazon SKU
  • Custom Attribute Value: AMZ-WIDGET-001

Use Case 3: Safety Stock Buffer for Amazon

Scenario: Reserve 5 units as safety stock, don't list them on Amazon.

Solution: Use Amazon Quantity Buffer = -5

Result: If Pulse shows 50 units, Amazon will show 45 units (50 - 5)

Use Case 4: Channel-Specific Pricing

Scenario: Sell products at different prices on different channels.

Solution: Use Amazon Price attribute to override default pricing.

Example:

  • Pulse Price: $29.99
  • Amazon Price: $34.99 (to cover marketplace fees)
  • Custom Attribute: Amazon Price
  • Custom Attribute Value: 34.99

SKU Not Found

Symptoms: Import fails with "SKU not found" error

Cause: SKU in CSV doesn't match any existing product

Solution:

  • Verify SKU spelling (case-sensitive)
  • Export products first to get exact SKU list
  • Create products first using Product Import, then add attributes

Amazon Sync Not Working

Symptoms: Amazon Active = 1 but products not syncing to Amazon

Checklist:

  • Verify Amazon integration is configured in admin panel
  • Check that Amazon Active attribute value is exactly 1 (not "Yes" or "true")
  • Confirm product has inventory available
  • Check Amazon Seller Central for error messages

Attribute Not Visible in Product Editor

Symptoms: Import succeeds but attribute doesn't appear

Possible Causes:

  • Attribute name misspelled (check exact spelling and spacing)
  • Import log shows warnings or errors for that row
  • Cache needs clearing - log out and back into admin

Invalid Attribute Value

Symptoms: Import log shows "invalid value" warnings

Common Issues:

  • Amazon Active: Must be 1 or 0 (not Yes/No, True/False)
  • Visible: Must be 1 or 0
  • Sort Order: Must be numeric (max 4 digits)
  • Quantities/Prices: Must be numeric values only

Retaining vs Removing Attribute Values

To remove an attribute: Enter x in the Custom Attribute Value column

To retain existing value: Leave the field empty OR enter the same value

To update value: Enter the new value

Before Importing:

  • Test with 5-10 SKUs first: Verify attribute format works correctly
  • Export products first: Get exact SKU list to avoid typos
  • Plan attribute strategy: Decide which products go on which channels
  • Document attribute names: Keep consistent naming (Amazon Active, not amazon_active or AmazonActive)

Data Preparation:

  • Exact attribute names: Match exactly: "Amazon Active" not "amazon active"
  • Numeric values only: For quantities, prices, buffers - no currency symbols or commas
  • Boolean values: Use 1 or 0 (not Yes/No, True/False)
  • SKU accuracy: Match SKUs exactly (case-sensitive)

Amazon Integration Best Practices:

  • Start small: Enable 10-20 products on Amazon first, verify sync works
  • Use safety buffers: Set Amazon Quantity Buffer = -5 to prevent overselling
  • Monitor closely: Check Amazon Seller Central for sync errors first 24-48 hours
  • Keep pricing competitive: Use Amazon Price attribute to factor in marketplace fees

Multi-Channel Strategy:

  • Channel-specific attributes: Use "eBay Active", "Walmart Active" for other channels (same pattern)
  • Inventory allocation: Use quantity buffers to allocate stock across channels
  • Consistent format: Keep attribute naming consistent across all channels

Watch this comprehensive video tutorial on using the Product Custom Attributes Import:

Related Import Types

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Need Help?

  • Download the Product Custom Attributes Template Legend from the Import page for complete Amazon attribute specifications
  • Check your import log for specific error messages
  • For Amazon sync issues, check Amazon Seller Central error logs
  • Contact support with your import log and Amazon integration details

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