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Category Import Guide

Updated

This guide covers how to import and manage product categories using the Category Import feature. With 26 fields including structure, display settings, SEO, and descriptions, this import lets you create complete category hierarchies or update existing categories in bulk.

Important: Navigate to Import/Export from the top navigation bar → Select Import → Choose Category Import

When to Use Category Import

Category Import is ideal for:

  • Building Category Structure: Create complete category hierarchies for new stores
  • Platform Migration: Transfer category structures from another e-commerce system
  • Bulk SEO Updates: Update meta tags, descriptions, and SEO settings across multiple categories
  • Category Reorganization: Restructure your site navigation and category tree

Template Overview

The Category Import template includes 26 total fields:

  • 4 Required Fields: Id, Category Name, Category Tree, Display Category Format
  • 22 Optional Fields: SEO settings, descriptions, images, display options, markup
Insert vs Update: Leave the Id field blank to create new categories. Enter an existing category Id to update that category.

What You Can Manage

  • Category Structure: Parent/child relationships using Category Tree format
  • Display Settings: Format selection (1-6), visibility, sort order, column layout
  • SEO Optimization: Page titles, meta descriptions, keywords, additional tags
  • Visual Elements: Navigation images, icon images, hover effects
  • Content: Short, long, header, and footer descriptions
  • Pricing: Category-level markup for products without customer pricing

1Navigate to Import/Export → Import → Category Import

2Click Download Template to get the CSV file with all 26 column headers

3Open the template in Excel or Google Sheets

4Fill in the 4 required fields for each category

Required Fields:

  • Id - Leave blank for new categories, enter existing Id to update
  • Category Name - Category name (max 50 characters)
  • Category Tree - Hierarchy path: Parent;Child
  • Display Category Format - Format 1, Format 2, Format 3, Format 4, Format 5, or Format 6

Understanding Category Tree Format

Category Tree Syntax: Use semicolons to separate hierarchy levels.

  • Top-level category: Electronics
  • Sub-category: Electronics;Computers
  • Sub-sub-category: Electronics;Computers;Laptops

Example: For "Laptops" under "Computers" under "Electronics", use: Electronics;Computers;Laptops

5Add optional fields as needed (SEO, descriptions, images, settings)

6For SEO fields, fill in Page Title, SEO_Page_Title, SEO_Meta_Description, SEO_Meta_Keywords

7For images, use full URLs (Navigation Link Image, Icon Image)

8Save your file as CSV format (UTF-8 encoding recommended)

1Return to Import/Export → Import → Category Import

2Click Choose File and select your completed CSV

3Click Submit to begin the import process

Processing Time: Category imports typically complete in under 1 minute for most stores.

4Review the import log for success confirmation or error messages

5Verify categories appear correctly in Products → Category Editor

6Check the storefront to confirm category navigation displays correctly

Required Fields (4 fields)

Field Name Description
Id* Category identifier. Leave blank to create new category, enter existing Id to update.
Category Name* Name of the category (max 50 characters)
Category Tree* Hierarchy path using format: Parent;Child;SubChild
Display Category Format* Format 1, Format 2, Format 3, Format 4, Format 5, or Format 6

Display & Organization (4 fields)

  • Sort Order: Numeric value to control category order in navigation
  • Visible: Yes or No (show/hide category on storefront)
  • Hide Sub-Categories In List Page: Yes or No
  • Number of Columns for Items in Category Page: Numeric value for product grid layout

Visual Elements (4 fields)

  • Navigation Link Image: Image URL to replace category name in left navigation (max 255 chars)
  • Navigation Link Image OnMouseOver: Hover image URL (max 255 chars)
  • Icon Image: Icon displayed beside category name (max 255 chars)
  • Icon Image Alt Text: Alt text for icon image (max 500 Chars)

Content & Descriptions (4 fields)

  • Short Description: Shown on parent category pages with sub-categories
  • Long Description: Shown on all category pages
  • Category Header Content: Displayed at top of category page (Format 4, 6 only)
  • Category Footer Description: Displayed at bottom of category page

SEO Fields (6 fields)

  • Page Title: Text inside <title> tag (max 200 chars)
  • SEO_Page_Title: Meta title tag (max 100 chars)
  • SEO_Meta_Description: Meta description tag (max 750 chars)
  • SEO_Meta_Keywords: Meta keywords tag (max 500 chars)
  • SEO_Enable_Additional_Tags: Yes or No
  • SEO_Meta_Tags_Additional: Additional custom meta tags

Advanced Settings (4 fields)

  • Markup: Percentage markup for products in this category without customer pricing
  • Guided Navigation Template: Template name for Format 5 display
  • Display In New Window: Yes or No (Format 4, 6 only)
  • Display Left Navigation: Yes or No (Format 4, 6 only)

Use Case 1: Creating Complete Category Hierarchy

Scenario: Setting up a new store with 3-level category structure.

Example CSV Rows:

Id Category Name Category Tree Display Category Format
(blank) Electronics Electronics Format 1
(blank) Computers Electronics;Computers Format 1
(blank) Laptops Electronics;Computers;Laptops Format 1

Use Case 2: Bulk SEO Optimization

Scenario: Adding meta descriptions and keywords to 50+ categories.

Workflow:

  1. Export existing categories first
  2. Keep Id, Category Name, Category Tree, Display Category Format columns
  3. Add SEO_Meta_Description and SEO_Meta_Keywords for each category
  4. Import to update SEO fields without changing other settings

Use Case 3: Reorganizing Category Structure

Scenario: Moving "Laptops" from under "Electronics" to under "Computers Portable".

Steps:

  1. Export current categories
  2. Find the "Laptops" row
  3. Change Category Tree from Electronics;Laptops to Computers;Portable;Laptops
  4. Keep the existing Id to update (not create new)
  5. Import to move the category
Warning: Changing Category Tree moves the category. Products assigned to this category will move with it.

Category Tree Format Errors

Symptoms: Import fails with "invalid category tree" error

Common Mistakes:

  • Using commas instead of semicolons: Electronics,Computers ❌
  • Extra spaces around semicolons: Electronics ; Computers ❌
  • Starting with semicolon: ;Electronics ❌

Correct Format: Electronics;Computers;Laptops ✅

Category Name Length Exceeded

Symptoms: Import fails for specific categories

Cause: Category Name exceeds 50 characters

Solution: Shorten category names to 50 characters or less

Display Format Not Recognized

Symptoms: Error: "Invalid Display Category Format"

Valid Values: Format 1, Format 2, Format 3, Format 4, Format 5, Format 6

Note: Must include "Format " prefix and space (case-sensitive)

Parent Category Doesn't Exist

Symptoms: Child category import fails

Cause: Parent category in Category Tree doesn't exist yet

Solution: Import parent categories first, then child categories. Order your CSV rows from top-level to deepest level.

Updates Not Applying

Symptoms: Import succeeds but changes don't appear

Cause: Id field is blank (creates new category instead of updating)

Solution: Export categories first to get correct Id values, then update using those Ids

Before Importing:

  • Plan category structure: Draw out your hierarchy before creating CSV
  • Export first for updates: Get existing Ids to avoid creating duplicates
  • Order rows properly: Import top-level categories before child categories
  • Test with 3-5 categories: Verify Category Tree format works correctly

Data Preparation:

  • Consistent naming: Use consistent capitalization and spacing
  • Category Tree accuracy: Double-check semicolon placement and parent names
  • Character limits: Category Name max 50 chars, URLs max 255 chars
  • Yes/No values: Use exact capitalization: "Yes" or "No"

SEO Best Practices:

  • Unique meta descriptions: Write unique description for each category
  • Targeted keywords: Use category-specific keywords, not generic terms
  • Page titles: Include category name and key terms
  • Keep it concise: Meta descriptions 150-160 chars for best display

After Import:

  • Verify in admin: Check Category Editor for correct hierarchy
  • Test navigation: Browse storefront to confirm categories appear
  • Check SEO: View page source to verify meta tags rendered correctly
  • Assign products: Use Product Import to assign products to new categories

Related Import Types

Related Articles

Need Help?

  • Download the Category Import Template Legend from the Import page for detailed field specifications
  • Check your import log for specific error messages and row numbers
  • Contact support with your import log for faster troubleshooting

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