How to generate XML files with Data Feed Manager

All XML data feeds used by shopping engines, like the one used by Google Shopping, are really simple to build but often have their own specifications.

Simple Google Shopping and Data Feed Manager provide one or more ready-to-configure templates. These templates will allow you to build a valid and well-structured data feed quickly.

7 Things to know when creating an XML data feed with Data Feed Manager:

1. An XML data feed is using an opening and closing tag that includes a value.

<tag>value</tag>

2. For each product you are exporting, you need to choose which tag to use. Most of the time, there is a tag for each attribute.

<g:id>123456</g:id>
<price>45.99 USD</price>

3. When you are building your XML template, you can include between every opening and closing tag one or several Magento attributes. An attribute is specified by its code name and must be enclosed using brackets.

<g:id>{sku}</g:id>
<price>{price}</price>

4. Between every opening and closing tags, you can also include some fixed values. Fixed values are simply text.

<g:brand>YOUR BRAND</g:brand>

5. You have also the possibility to add several attributes and fixed values in a same tag.

<title>{title},available in {color}-{size} for only ${price}</title>

6. You're allowed to use PHP code if you want to customize the pattern. You just have to write your PHP code in one single line, and it will work perfectly (check how to add PHP scripts into your templates).

7. The syntactic coloration in Data Feed Manager will help you to avoid any error in your template. First, the errors will be underlined in yellow. You need to correct each error before checking syntax once again. Finally, you'll be able to check data.

How to generate CSV/TXT files with Data Feed Manager?

Data Feed Manager allows you to generate CSV/TXT files in addition to XML files. This particular kind of file format is required by some shopping engines like Amazon, Shopzilla, Twenga, etc.

Data Feed Manager provides you all you need to create any specific CSV/TXT file that you want. 

Each shopping engine has its own requirements and column names. Some require fields enclosure, others need specific delimiters.

You may also need to add a special header to your file (for Amazon data feeds for example).

Things to know when creating a CSV/TXT data feed with Data Feed Manager

1. A CSV file consists of any number of records. Each record consists of fields, separated by some other characters or strings. There is one row per record (so, one per product).

Here is an example of CSV file content:

2. You need to define delimiters to separate your fields ( '; ', ', ', or tab for example) and enclosures for your data (" or ').

3. You can enter the attribute names in each Columns name fields (check the shopping engine specifications to know which names are required). For example:

4. You can include in each Pattern field one or several Magento attributes. An attribute is specified by its code name and must be enclosed using brackets. For example, to return the product's sku, you should use:

{sku}

5. You can also include some fixed values. Fixed values are simply text. For example, instead of the {manufacturer} attribute, you could use directly:

YOUR BRAND

6. You have also the possibility to add several attributes and fixed values in a same field. For example, instead of {url}, you could use:

{url}?_campaign=google&_adwords=test123

7. You're allowed to use PHP code if you want to customize the pattern. You just have to write your PHP code in one single line, and it will work perfectly (check how to add PHP scripts into your templates).

8. You can add a field by using the button Add field. The fields order can be easily reordered by using the up and down arrows.

9. The syntactic coloration in Data Feed Manager will help you to avoid any error in your template. First, the errors will be underlined in yellow. You need to correct each error before checking syntax once again. Finally, you'll be able to Check data.

Attribute management in the Data Feed Manager templates

All the default Magento attributes and also all your own attributes can be retrieved in any template. For example :

<product>{name}</product>

Please refer to the Basic attributes section to learn more.

Some Magento attributes like price, image or url may have further configuration options that will correspond to your specific data feed needs. For example:

<price>{price,[EUR],[FR]}</price> 

Please refer to the Special attributes section to learn more.

Some Magic attributes are unique to the Google Shopping data feeds. These attributes act as shortcuts to create complete portions of XML in your data feed.  For example:

{G:PRODUCT_TYPE}

Please refer to the Magic attributes section to learn more.

You can use the OR operand with all these attributes (without option). See example below:

{attributeA | attributeB}

If attributeA exists then the value will be attributeA, otherwise, the value will be attributeB

{attribute_code,[strip_tags]}

Remove all html tags.

For example:

<description>{description,[strip_tags]}</description>
 

{attribute_code,[cleaner]}

Remove all characters that don't belong to the utf8 charset.

For example:

<title>{name,[cleaner]}</title>
 

{attribute_code,[substr],[max_length],[end_string]}

<description>{description,[substr],[50],[...]}</description>

{attribute_code,[strtoupper]}

Transforms the value to upper case.

<title>{name,[strtoupper]}</title>

{attribute_code,[strtolower]}

Transforms the value to lower case.

<title>{name,[strtolower]}</title>

{attribute_code,[inline]}

Removes all EOL characters from the value.

For example:

<description>{description,[inline]}</description>
 

{attribute_code,[html_entity_decode]}

Converts all HTML entities to their applicable characters.

For example:

<description>{description,[html_entity_decode]}</description>
 

{attribute_code,[htmlentities]}

Converts all applicable characters to HTML entities.

For example:

<description>{description,[htmlentities]}</description>
 

{attribute_code,[implode],[separating_string]}

Joins all array elements in a string.

• separating_string: string used between each value. By default it is a coma (,).
  
  

May be useful for multi-select attributes like color.

For example:

<g:color>{color,[implode],[,]}</g:color>

will give: black, blue, red, green.

{attribute_code,[float],[decimals]}

Converts a numeric value to a floating number.

• decimals: number of floating number. By default [0].

<g:shipping_weight>{weight,[float],[2]}kg</g:shipping_weight>

{attribute_code,[php_function]}

You can use any php function as an option that doesn't require an argument, for instance:

{name,[ucfisrt]}
{description,[trim]}

From Data Feed Manager v6.6.0

You can use any php function as an option even if it requires one or more additional arguments, for instance:

{name,[str_replace("Apple","Banana",%s)]}

You can use several consecutive options:

{ean,[str_pad(%s,10,"0",STR_PAD_LEFT)],[str_replace("X","0",%s)]}
 

{‌id}

Retrieves the product id

{inc}

{price}

{price,[currency],[vat_rate]}

<g:price>{price,[EUR],[20.0]}</g:price>

<g:price>{price parent,[EUR],[20.0]}</g:price>

{normal_price}

Retrieves the price and ignores any existing special price value.

{normal_price,[currency],[vat_rate]}

<g:price>{normal_price,[EUR],[20.0]}</g:price>

{special_price}

{special_price,[currency],[vat_rate]}

<g:price>{special_price,[EUR],[20.0]}</g:price>

{price_rules}

If prices are exclusive of VAT and the product is liable to a unique VAT rate, the price retrieved will include this rate. Otherwise, the price exclusive of tax is retrieved.

{price_rules,[currency],[vat_rate]}

<g:price>{price_rules,[EUR],[20.0]}</g:price>

{group_price}

Retrieves the Group price if it exists. Otherwise it displays the normal price.

{group_price,[customer_group],[currency],[vat]}

• customer_group is the id of the customer group for which the group price is valid (check in Customers > Customer groups). 
• currency is for currency conversion. This option automatically converts the original product price to a specified currency. It uses an exchange rate already stored by you in your admin panel. By default, your local currency is used.
• vat_rate is a floating value between 0.00 and 100.00 that represents an arbitrary VAT rate to apply. This option rewrites the VAT rule for the product except if the product doesn't have any tax class.
  To completly remove the VAT from all prices, you can use [0]. Examples:
  <g:price>{group_price,[1],[USD],[20]}</g:price>: will apply a 20% VAT rate
  <g:price>{group_price,[1],[USD],[0]}</g:price>: will convert the price from EUR to USD and will not apply any VAT rate.
  <g:price>{group_price,[1],[USD]}</g:price>: you need to use that syntax if the prices of your catalog are including VAT.

For example :

<g:price>{group_price,[1],[USD],[0]}</g:price>

/!\ : For Data Feed Manager >= 7.3.0

{tier_price}

Retrieves the Tier price if it exists, otherwise the value is null.

{tier_price,[customer_group],[index],[currency],[vat]}

• customer_group is the id of the customer group for which the tier price is valid (check in Customers > Customer groups).
• index is the index of the Tier Price you want to retrieve.
  
• currency is for currency conversion. This option automatically converts the original product price to a specified currency. It uses an exchange rate already stored by you in your admin panel. By default, your local currency is used.
• vat_rate is a floating value between 0.00 and 100.00 that represents an arbitrary VAT rate to apply. This option rewrites the VAT rule for the product except if the product doesn't have any tax class.
  To completly remove the VAT from all prices, you can use [0]. Examples:
  <g:price>{tier_price,[1],[0],[USD],[20]}</g:price>: will apply a 20% VAT rate
  <g:price>{tier_price,[1],[0],[USD],[0]}</g:price>: will convert the price from EUR to USD and will not apply any VAT rate.
  <g:price>{tier_price,[1],[0],[USD]}</g:price>: you need to use that syntax if the prices of your catalog are including VAT.

For example :

<g:price>{tier_price,[1],[0],[USD],[20.0]}</g:price>

/!\ : For Data Feed Manager >= 7.3.0

{is_special_price}

<g:is_special_price>{is_special_price?[yes]:[no]}<g:is_special_price>

{min_price}, {max_price}

If prices are exclusive of VAT and the product is liable to a unique VAT rate, the price retrieved will include this rate. Otherwise, the price exclusive of tax is retrieved.

{min_price,[currency],[vat_rate]}, {max_price,[currency],[vat_rate]}

<g:price>{min_price,[EUR],[20.0]}, {max_price,[EUR],[20.0]}</g:price>

{image}

<g:image_link>{image,[0]}</g:image_link>

{host}

Retrieves the host url, for example https://www.website.com.

Example with the {small_image} attribute:

<g:image_link>{host}/media/catalog/{small_image}</g:image_link>
 

{url}

<link>{url}</link>

{uri} or {url_key}

<url>https://www.mywebsite.com/mystore_code/{uri}</url>
 

{is_in_stock}

<g:availability>{is_in_stock?[in stock]:[out of stock]:[available for order]}</g:availability>

{stock_status}

Retrieves the stock status "in stock" or "out of stock".

For example:

<g:availability>{stock_status}</g:availability>

/!\ Depreciated

{status}

Retrieves either "enabled" if the product is enabled or "disabled" if the product is disabled.
 
{status,[value_if_enabled],[value_if_disabled]}

You can modify the default values:

value_if_enabled: value to retrieve if the product is enabled
value_if_disabled: value to retrieve if the product is disabled

For example:

<status>{status,[activé],[désactivé]}</status>

/!\ : For Data Feed Manager >= 7.3.0

{qty}

Retrieves the available quantity.

For example:

<g:availability>{qty}</g:availability>
 

{min_sale_qty}

Retrieves the minimal sale quantity.

For example:

<g:min_sale_qty>{min_sale_qty}</g:min_sale_qty>
 

{categories}

{categories,[INF],[1],[INF]}

{categories,[,],[>]}

{categories,[last]}
{categories,[first]}

<? $product->getCategoriesArray(); ?>

{attribute_set}

Retrieves the attribute set in which the product is.

For example:

<attribute_set>{attribute_set}</attribute_set>

That attribute can be useful for your Adwords campaigns.

/!\ : For Data Feed Manager >= 7.3.0

{review_count}

<g:product_review_count>{review_count,[*]}</g:product_review_count>

{review_average}

Retrieves the average score of all the evaluations that your customers have left for the product.

{review_average,[base_value],[storeview_id]}
 

• base_value the base number. By default 5.
  
  
• storeview_id id of your store view. If not specified the current store view is used.
  "*" will count all reviews for all store views.

For example:

<g:product_review_average>{review_average,[3],[*]}</g:product_review_average>
 

{category_mapping}

Retrieves any new category that you have assigned (in the Categories filter) to the item’s own product category. If no mapping is assigned to the first category found, the second category will be used etc.

{category_mapping,[index]}

• index index of the category mapping

For example:

<category>{category_mapping,[0]}</category>
<category>{category_mapping,[1]}</category>
<category>{category_mapping,[2]}</category>
<category>{category_mapping,[3]}</category>
<category>{category_mapping,[4]}</category>

Will retrieve a maximum of 5 category mappings in 5 separate tags.

/!\  from Simple Google Shopping >= 5.0.0 and Data Feed Manager >= 3.0.0

{G:SALE_PRICE}

<g:sale_price>{price}</g:sale_price>
<g:sale_price_effective_date>{special_from_date}/{special_to_date}</g:sale_price_effective_date>

<g:price>{normal_price}</g:price>
{G:SALE_PRICE}

{G:IMAGE_LINK}

<g:image_link>{image}</g:image_link>
<g:additional_image_link>{image,[1]}</g:additional_image_link>
<g:additional_image_link>{image,[2]}</g:additional_image_link> 
...
 

{G:PRODUCT_REVIEW}

<g:product_review_average>{review_average}</g:product_review_average>
<g:product_review_count>{review_count}</g:product_review_count>

{G:PRODUCT_TYPE}

<g:product_type>category A > sub-category B </g:product_type>
<g:product_type>category A > sub-category B > sub-category C</g:product_type>

{G:ITEM_GROUP_ID}

Is the shortcut for :

<g:item_group_id>{sku configurable}</g:item_group_id>
 

{G:GOOGLE_PRODUCT_CATEGORY}

Is the shortcut for :

<g:google_product_category>{category_mapping,[0]}</g:google_product_category>

This magic attribute retrieves the Google category that you assigned (in filter section / category filter) of the first category found to which the product is linked. If no Google category is assigned to the first category found, the second category will be used,  if no Google category is assigned to the second, the third will be used etc.

To find the Google categories that match to your categories :
https://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=160081 

Options : see {category_mapping}

/!\  from Simple Google Shopping >= 5.0.0 and Data Feed Manager >= 3.0.0

{G:PROMOTION_ID}

Retrieves the product promotion id if exists.

{SC:URL}

Retrieves the canonical url of the product :

<link>https://www.example.com/product.html</link>

Can be used in Data Feed Manager with {sc:url}

{SC:EAN}

Retrieves an unique ean value of the product:

 <g:ean>1234567891234</g:ean>

 Can be used in Data Feed Manager with {sc:ean}

{SC:IMAGES}

Retrieves the associated image of each product :

<g:image_link>https://www.example.com/media/catalog/image.jpg</g:image_link>

Can be used in Data Feed Manager with : {sc:images}

{SC:DESCRIPTION}

Retrieves the description for the product:

<g:description>...product description ...</g:description>

A default value is retrieved when the description is empty.

Can be used in Data Feed Manager with {sc:description}

{attribute_code parent}

Retrieves the first parent attribute value.

The parent value is retrieved only if the simple (item) product is associated with a parent product, if not, its own attribute value is retrieved.

The parent product may be a configurable, a grouped or a bundle product. The first parent product that matches the simple product is used to get the attribute value.

Eg:

{G:PRODUCT_TYPE parent}
<g:product_type>{categories parent,[last]}</g:product_type>
 

{attribute_code configurable}

Retrieves the first configurable parent attribute value.

The configurable product value is retrieved only if the simple product is associated to a configurable product, if not, its own attribute value is retrieved.

Eg:

{G:IMAGE_LINK configurable}
<g:image_link>{image configurable}</g:image_link>
 

{attribute_code grouped}

Retrieves the first grouped parent attribute value.

The grouped product value is retrieved only if the simple product is associated to a grouped product, if not, its own attribute value is retrieved.

Eg :

{G:GOOGLE_PRODUCT_CATEGORY grouped}
<link>{url grouped}</link>
 

{attribute_code bundle}

Retrieves the first bundle parent attribute value.

The bundle product value is retrieved only if the simple product is associated to a bundle product, if not, its own attribute value is retrieved.

Eg:

{G:SALE_PRICE bundle}
<g:price>{price bundle}</g:price>
 

Categories

You can choose to include or exclude the selected categories in the Categories tab of your data feed.

For example, if you wish to include only products of the Apparel category, you can configure your filter in two different ways.

First of all by ticking the Include option that will allow you to include all categories that you have selected.

Or via the Exclude option that will exclude all categories you have selected.

Product Type

First of all, you can choose to include products to your feed according to their type. For example, only include simple, virtual and downloadable products.

Attribute Set

You have the choice to include several attribute sets. In our case, we've decided to include only attribute sets that are linked the Apparel category.

Product Visibility

Then, choose the products that will be included to the feed between the products that are not visible individually, from the Catalog, the Search results, or both.

Advanced Filters

In the Advanced filters, you can go further by setting more personalized filters. 
For example, we wanted to include only products which price is higher than 0, and which SKU and name are not null.

Here again, you have the possibility to configure your advanced filters according to several options.

LIKE / NOT LIKE

like: starts / ends with the character string / includes the character string. Eg:
     name like %shirt : will include all products which name ends with 'shirt'.
     name like Apple% : will include all products which name starts with 'Apple'.  
     name like %women% : will include all products which name contains the 'women' character string.

not like: doesn't start / end with the character string / doesn't include the character string. Eg: 
     name not like %shirt: won't include any product which name ends with 'shirt'.
     name not like Apple%: won't include any product which name starts with 'Apple'.  
     name not like %women%: won't include any product which name contains the 'women' character string.

IS NULL / IS NOT NULL

is null: the value is null. Eg:
     Special price is null: will include all products that don't have special prices.

is not null: the value is not null. Eg:
     SKU is not null: will include all products which SKU is not null.

IN / NOT IN

in: is in (selection of several options). Eg:
     Brand in Acer Apple Sony: will include only products from these 3 brands.

not in: is not in (selection of several options). Eg:
     Brand not in Dell Toshiba: will include all products which brand is not Dell or Toshiba.

Create your own custom attributes

1. Data Feed Manager extension also allows to create your own options and attributes from your Magento admin under Catalog > Data Feed Manager > Custom Attributes / Catalog > Data Feed Manager > Custom Options.
   

   Some examples of use are loaded by default when installing the extension.

   
   
   
2. Create a new attribute
   
3. Fill the attribute code with the name of your custom attribute
   
4. Add your custom script - No need to add the php tags (<? and ?>) -
   
5. Add the new custom attribute into your data feed template
   

The custom attributes php codes are based on the same rules than any php code included in the template :

The value you want to display must be retrieved by using the ‘return’ instruction. You can also use a ‘product instance object’ (registered as $product variable) in order to use its specific methods.

Examples of custom attributes

Replace some words in the product descriptions :

<?
$search=array('sony','apple','htc');
$replace=array("SONY","APPLE","HTC");
return str_ireplace($search, $replace,$product->getDescription()); 
?>
 

Create your own custom options

1. In the Magento admin panel go to : catalog > Data Feed Manager > custom options
   
2. Create a new option
3. Fill the option name with the name of your custom option
4. Define the number of additional parameters expected by your custom option
5. Add your custom script - No need to add the php tags (<? and ?>) -
6. Add the new custom option into your data feed template

The custom option php codes are based on the same rules than any php code included in the template :

• the output value must be retrieved with the 'return' instruction
• the $product variable contains an instance of the current product
• the $value variable contains the value of the current attribute
• the $param array contains the additionnal parameters expected by the option

Examples of custom options

Get all the lowest categories from the different category path for each product :

• Option name : lowest
• Additionnal parameters : 0
• Php script :

  <?
  $array=array();
  $paths=explode(',',$value);
  foreach($paths as $path){
       $cats=explode('>',$path);
      $array[]=array_pop($cats);
  }
  return implode(', ',$array);
  ?>

• Syntax to use in your template :

  {categories,[INF],[1],[INF],[lowest]}

Get the deepest category path for each product :

• Option name : deepest
• Additionnal parameters : 0
• Php script :

  <?
  $paths=explode(",",$value);
  sort($paths);
  return array_pop($paths);
  ?>

• Syntax to use in your template :

  {categories,[INF],[1],[INF],[deepest]}

Retrieve a default value if the attribute value is empty:

• Option name : default
• Additionnal parameters : 1
• Php script :

  <? if(trim($value)=='') return $param[1]; ?>

• Syntax to use in your template :

  {description,[default],[your default description]}
  {name,[default],[your default product name]}

Usefull links for Google Shopping

Google Shopping allows you to create datafeed in destination of Google Shopping.
Here are some tips which will be usefull to create your datafeed.
First, we recommand you to look at these 2 links which will be helpfull:

• Google Shopping's feed specifications
• Google Shopping's taxonomy

Once your data feed has been uploaded into your Google Merchant, you can check what products have been added to the Google Shopping index :

https://www.google.com/products?authorid=[your Account ID]

File format with Google Shopping

Google Shopping handles CSV or XML file format (More information).

The following explanations will only concern the most used method : XML files.

File name should remain consistent for all updates. Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes with Google Shopping

Required attributes with Google Shopping are depending on what kind of products you want to submit.
For complete informations about required attributes, please refer to the dedicated page on the Merchant Center.

Here are the most frequent required attributes used by Google Shopping.
(Between brackets, specific name for XML files)

Recommended attributes with Google Shopping

Here are some attributes (non-exhaustive list) recommended by Google Shopping that we think could be quite usefull to add in your template:
(Between brackets, specific name for XML files)

Example of template with XML format with Google Shopping

Here is an example of template in XML format:

<g:id>{sku}</g:id>
<title>{name,[substr],[70],[...]}</title>
<link>{url}</link>
<!-- you must change the currency unit or convert the price to match with your magento store and your merchant account setting -->
<g:price>{normal_price,[USD]} USD</g:price>
{G:SALE_PRICE,[USD]}
<g:online_only>y</g:online_only>
<description>{description,[html_entity_decode],[strip_tags]}</description>
<g:condition>new</g:condition>
{G:PRODUCT_TYPE,[10]}
{G:GOOGLE_PRODUCT_CATEGORY}
{G:IMAGE_LINK}
<g:availability>{is_in_stock?[in stock]:[out of stock]}</g:availability>
<g:quantity>{qty}</g:quantity>
<g:featured_product>{is_special_price?[yes]:[no]} </g:featured_product>
<g:color>{color,[implode],[,]}</g:color>
<g:shipping_weight>{weight,[float],[2]} kg</g:shipping_weight>
{G:PRODUCT_REVIEW}
<g:manufacturer>{manufacturer}</g:manufacturer>
<!-- In most of cases brand + mpn are sufficient, eg. :-->
<g:brand>{manufacturer}</g:brand>
<g:mpn>{sku}</g:mpn>
<!-- But it is better to use one of these identifiers if available : EAN, ISBN or UPC, eg : -->
<g:gtin>{upc}</g:gtin>
 

How to create a data feed in Google Merchant Center?

In order to submit your products to Google Shopping, you'll have to create a data feed in your Google Merchant Center .
Once you're login into Google Merchant Center, go in the Data feeds section.

You can choose between creating a New Data Feed and a New Test Data Feed .
We recommend that you start by creating a New Test Data Feed .
After clicking on New Test Data Feed , you have to choose the target country and a name for your data feed ("datafeed_test" by example).
You can confirm by clicking on Save changes .

Now you can see your data feed appears in the data feeds list.


Next step will be to setup this data feed so it will import the data feed you created with the extension Simple Google Shopping in your Magento store.
Click on the link Create schedule . You are now accessing the schedule upload options.
You can manage the Google Merchant's importation frequency. You can choose to import you data feed monthly, weekly or daily at a specific time.
Paste your data feed's URL in the field Feed URL .

Click on Schedule and fetch now to start the importation and the process of your data feed.
Your data feeds' status shows Processing...

After a few minutes, Google Merchant Center shows you the number of inserted items and offers you to display errors in your data feed.

Click on View errors will show you errors in your data feed.
Google Merchant Center discerns 2 kinds of anomaly : errors and warnings.
As long it will remain errors in your data feed, Google Merchant will not display your items in Google Shopping.
It's very important to read errors' descriptions. It will help you to understand and fix quickly your data feed's issues.

Once the errors fixed, you'll be able to proceed to the creation of a new data feed (not a test one this time) which will perform the processing and referencing of your items by Google Shopping.

Warning : the validation of the first submission of your data feed to Google can take some days because it's performing manually by Google's teams. The next submissions will be validated almost instantly.

File format for Shopping.com

Shopping.com handle CSV or XML file format.
For CSV files, data should be enclosed within double quotation marks ( " ), and tab as field separator.
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character (“…”)
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>.

File name should remain consistent for all updates. (e.g. MerchantnameSDC.csv). Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes for Shopping.com

These 9 attributes are required. Products without these values will not display on Shopping.com :
(Between brackets, specific name for XML files)

Recommended attributes for Shopping.com

Here are some attributes (non-exhaustive list) recommended by Shopping.com we think are quite usefull to add in your template :
(Between brackets, specific name for XML files)

Example of template for Shopping.com with XML format

Here is an example of template for a website selling t-shirts:

Header:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<Products>

Pattern:

<Product>		
	<Merchant_SKU>{sku}</Merchant_SKU>	
	<Product_Name>{name,[substr],[70],[...]}</Product_Name>	
	<Product_URL>{url parent}</Product_URL> 	
	<Image_URL>{image parent}</Image_URL>	
	<Current_Price>${price,[USD],[0]}</Current_Price> 	
	<Shipping_Rate>$7.50</Shipping_Rate>	
	<Stock_Availability>{is_in_stock parent?[in stock]:[out of stock]}</Stock_Availability>	
	<Condition>New</Condition>	
	<Original_Price>${normal_price,[USD],[0]}</Original_Price> 	
	<Manufacturer>{brand}</Manufacturer>	
	<Product_Description>{short_description parent,[html_entity_decode],[strip_tags]}</Product_Description>	
	<Product_Type>Clothing</Product_Type>	
	<Category>{category_mapping,[0]}</Category>	
	<Category_ID>31515</Category_ID>	
	<Parent_SKU>{sku parent}</Parent_SKU>	
	<Parent_Name>{name parent,[substr],[70],[...]}</Parent_Name>	
	<Estimated_Ship_Date>Allow 10 days for Delivery</Estimated_Ship_Date>	
	<Gender>{gender}</Gender>	
	<Color>{color,[implode],[,]}</Color>	
	<Size>{size,[implode],[,]}</Size>	
	<Alternative_Image_URL_1>{image,[1]}</Alternative_Image_URL_1>	
	<Alternative_Image_URL_2>{image,[2]}</Alternative_Image_URL_2>	
	<Alternative_Image_URL_3>{image,[3]}</Alternative_Image_URL_3>	
	<Alternative_Image_URL_4>{image,[4]}</Alternative_Image_URL_4>	
	<Alternative_Image_URL_5>{image,[5]}</Alternative_Image_URL_5>	
	<Merchandising_Type>New</Merchandising_Type>	
	<Bundle>No</Bundle>	
</Product>

Footer:

</Products>
 

File format for Bing Shopping

Bing Shopping doesn't support XML file format. You should create TXT file format.
HEADER (the line with attribute's names) is required by Bing Shopping.
Data should be enclosed without any characters, and you should use tab as field separator.
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character (“…”)
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>
• - No $ sign in the price values and no lbs in shipping weights (only numbers, limited to 2 decimal places)

File name should remain consistent for all updates. Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.
Bing Shopping recommends to use bingshopping.txt as a file name.

Required attributes for Bing Shopping

Bing Shopping requires these 6 attributes:

Recommended attributes for Bing Shopping

Bing Shopping highly recommends to use these attributes in your template :

Example of template for Bing Shopping with TXT format

Here is an example of template:

File format for Shopzilla

Shopzilla doesn't support XML file format. You should create TXT file format.
HEADER (the line with attribute's names) is required by Shopzilla.
Data should be enclosed without any characters, and you should use tab as field separator.
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character (“…”)
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>

File name should remain consistent for all updates. Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes for Shopzilla

Shopzilla requires 15 attributes in the datafeed, but only 5 must contain data. Others are highly recommended by Shopzilla.
WARNING: these 15 attributes must respect this order:

• 1. Category ID
• 2. Manufacturer
• 3. Title
• 4. Description
• 5. Product URL
• 6. Image URL
• 7. SKU
• 8. Availability
• 9. Condition
• 10. Ship Weight
• 11. Ship Cost
• 12. Bid
• 13. Promotional Code
• 14. UPC
• 15. Price

Bold attributes above must contain data.

Here are the 5 required attributes :

Recommended attributes for Shopzilla

Shopzilla highly recommends to use these attributes in your template :

Example of template for Shopzilla with TXT format

Here is an example of template:

File format with Amazon

Amazon doesn't support XML file format. You should create TXT file format.
HEADER (the line with attribute's names) is required by Amazon.
ATTENTION : Amazon requires an extra-header , which allows Amazon to identify which kind of products is in you data feed, and the actual used version. Here is an example concerning Home category products:

TemplateType=Home Version=2012.0228 This row for Amazon.com use only. Do not modify or delete.

In order to use these specific extra-header, Data Feed Manager has a specific field named Extra header :


Data should be enclosed without any characters, and you should use tab as field separator.
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character (“…”)
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>

File name should remain consistent for all updates. Do not include the date in your file name.

Informations groups with Amazon

Amazon distincts different informations groups to describe the products you'll send them in your data feed.
Some groups are generic and suitable for all types of products:

• - Basic Product information
• - Offer Information
• - Sales Price information
• - Item discovery information
• - Image Information
• - FBA (Fulfillment By Amazon)
• - Variation information (if your Product is available in different variations)
• - Product Dimensions
• - Infrequently used attributes

Beside these generic groups, there are specific groups depending of your products' categories.
Here are specifc groups from Home category:

• - Product specific attributes included in the "ArtAndCraft"
• - Product specific attributes included in the "Kitchen"
• - Product specific attributes included in the "Indoor Home"
• - Product specific attributes included in the "Outdoor Home and Garden"
• - Battery Information

The very first thing to do before creating your Amazon data feed is to identify which kind of products your Magento catalog contains.
Once this is done, you'll have to refer to the Amazon Browse Tree Guide (Amazon BTG) matching this product category to create your data feed in the best way.

By example, if you're selling furnitures, you'll have to refer to Home Amazon BTG, which matches with following themes:

• - Art and Craft
• - Kitchen
• - Indoor Home
• - Outdoor Home and Garden

We'll use this particular example for following explanations.

Required attributes with Amazon

Usually, Amazon requires these 10 attributes in the datafeed.
WARNING: These 10 attributes have to be in the data feed unless Amazon will reject it.

Recommended attributes with Amazon

Amazon highly recommends to use these attributes in your template :

Detailed description of your offer (limited to 2000 characters). Don't use special characters.

File format with Price Grabber

Price Grabber doesn't support XML file format. You should create TXT file format.
HEADER (the line with attribute's names) is required by Price Grabber.
Data should be enclosed without any characters, and you should use tab as field separator.
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character (“…”)
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>

File name should remain consistent for all updates. Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes with Price Grabber

Price Grabber requires some attributes regarding to the kind of product you're selling in your store.
By example, Home & Personal Products requires 9 attributes, where Tech Products & Software only requires 7 attributes (not the sames as well).
Please have a look at the Price Grabber Integration Guide to know exactly which attributes are required for your products.
However, here are the most current required attributes:

Recommended attributes with Price Grabber

Price Grabber highly recommends to use these attributes in your template :

File format with Nextag

Nextag handles TXT file format.
HEADER (the line with attribute's names) is required by Nextag.
Data should be enclosed without any characters, and you should use pipe (|) as field separator.
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character (“…”)
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>

File name should remain consistent for all updates. Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes with Nextag

Here are required attributes with Nextag:

Recommended attributes with Nextag

Nextag highly recommends to use these attributes in your template :

File format with Twenga

Twenga handles CSV/TXT or XML file format.
About CSV/TXT files :
- data shouldn't be enclosed
- you can use either tab, semicolon, comma or pipe as field separator.
About XML files :
- the datafeed must be UTF-8 encoded (<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>)
- catalog tags (<calalog>...</catalog>) must enclose the content.
- each product must be in product tags (<product>...</product>)
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character (“…”)
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>.

File name should remain consistent for all updates. (e.g. MerchantnameSDC.csv). Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes with Twenga

These 7 attributes are required. Products without these values will not display on Twenga :

Recommended attributes with Twenga

Here are recommended attributes by Twenga  :

Example of template with XML, CSV and TXT format with Twenga

Here is an example of template with XML format:



Here is an example of template with CSV format:



Here is an example of template with TXT format:

File format with Idealo

Idealo is used to work with CSV files.
Data shouldn't be enclosed
You can use either tab, semicolon or pipe as field separator.

The CSV file must contain a header line describing each column's names.
Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes with Idealo

These attributes are required by Idealo.
Products without these values will not display on Idealo:

Recommended attributes with Idealo

Here are recommended attributes by Idealo:

Example of template with CSV format with Idealo

Here is an example of template with CSV format:

Numéro d'article (interne);EAN (European article number);Référence fabricant (HAN);Marque / Fabricant;Produit;Catégorie;Prix en ¤ (TVA incluse);Délai de Livraison;Frais de port;URL produit;URL photo;Ecotaxe (si non incluse dans le prix);Prix Promo (facultatif)
40101966;3165140580113;GSB 14.4-2-LI;FBC BOSCH;PERCEUSE VISSEUSE 14,4V 1,3AH LI-ION;Outillages électroportatif à batterie;   518,87;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;4;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;   418,87
40101915;0000401019151;BHP453RHEX;MAKITA;PACK PERCEUSE A PERCUSSION 18V 1,5AH LXT;Perceuses, visseuses et boulonneuses;   164,00;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;4;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;   16,00
43302205;3148518627948;CPE.PB;FACOM;LOT DE 2 PINCES "PACK PREMIER";Pinces standards et coupantes;    68,90;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;0 (si frais de port gratuits);https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;    55,90
46600252;0000466002525;1-94-747;STANLEY TOOLS;SERVANTE DE CHANTIER LOCK & STOCK FATMAX;Boite à outils;   1122,95;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;4;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;
45900043;3253561956294;1-95-629;STANLEY TOOLS;GILET PORTE-OUTILS FATMAX XTREM;Saccoches et porte-outils;    53,20;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;4;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;    43,20
44800848;9999999999999;0-10-825;STANLEY TOOLS;COUTEAU CUTTER PLIABLE FATMAX;Cutteurs et ciseaux;    17,95;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;4;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;
46600415;3253561974755;1-97-475;STANLEY TOOLS;JEU 2 TRETEAUX PLIABLES COMPACTS;Etais et trétaux de maçon;    84,45;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;0 (si frais de port gratuits);https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;    80,00
60800432;3253561951480;1-95-151;STANLEY TOOLS;LAMPE TORCHE LED PETIT MODÈLE;Torches, ampoules, et éclairage;    16,67;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;4;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;
42606588;3253560975456;0-97-500;STANLEY TOOLS;CLE A MOLETTE A CLIQUET FATMAX;Clés de serrage à ouverture variable;    14,23;Livrera sous 3 jours ouvrables après réception du paiement.;4;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple;https://www.idealo.fr/exemple-exemple.jpg;0,1;
 

File format with eBay

eBay handles CSV/TXT or XML file format.
About CSV/TXT files :
- data must be enclosed with double quotation marks (")
- If you intend to use the double quote character ( " ) itself and not as a delimiter, it should be repeated. For example, '15" TV' should be entered as "15"" TV".
- you must use comma as separator in CSV files, and either tab, semicolon, comma or pipe in TXT files.
About XML files :
- the datafeed must be UTF-8 encoded (<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>)
- each product must be in product tags (<product>...</product>)
The following characters are forbidden within any cell:

• - Smart Quotes Character ("…")
• - Carriage Returns Character
• - New Line Characters
• - Any character whose ascii value is less than 32, e.g. Carriage Returns (ascii 10), Newline (ascii 13)
• - HTML, CSS, or any other formatting languages, e.g. "\n\r", <p>, <br>.

File name should remain consistent for all updates. (e.g. ebay.csv). Do not include the date in your file name.
File name cannot contain spaces or illegal symbols.

Required attributes with eBay

These 9 attributes are required by eBay. Products without these values will not display on eBay.
(between brackets, the name to use with XML files)

Recommended attributes with eBay

Here are recommended attributes by eBay:
(between brackets, the name to use with XML files)

Example of template with XML format with eBay

Here is an example of template with XML format:

<Products>		
	<Product>	
		<Merchant_SKU>93345</Merchant_SKU>
		<Product_Name>J. Crew White Floral Summer Sundress</Product_Name>
		<Product_URL>https://www.abcxyz123.com/store/product.html</Product_URL> 
		<Image_URL>https://www.abcxyz123.com/images/6857623495-1000.jpg</Image_URL>
		<Current_Price>$99.99</Current_Price> 
		<Shipping_Rate>5.95</Shipping_Rate>
		<Stock_Availability>Pre-Order</Stock_Availability>
		<Condition>New</Condition>
		<UPC>053759061260</UPC>
		<EAN></EAN>
		<MPN></MPN>
		<ISBN></ISBN>
		<Original_Price>$199.99</Original_Price> 
		<Manufacturer>J. Crew</Manufacturer>
		<Product_Description>Medium weight floral printed sundress. Perfect for Sunday brunch.</Product_Description>
		<Product_Type>Dress > Sun Dress</Product_Type>
		<Category>Clothing & Accessories > Women clothing > Dress > Sundress</Category>
		<Category_ID>31515</Category_ID>
		<Parent_SKU>93344</Parent_SKU>
		<Parent_Name>J. Crew Floral Summer Sundress</Parent_Name>
		<Estimated_Ship_Date>Allow 3-4 Weeks for Delivery</Estimated_Ship_Date>
		<Gender>Women, Girls</Gender>
		<Color>White</Color>
		<Material>Cotton, Spandex</Material>
		<Size>10</Size>
		<Age_Range></Age_Range>
	</Product>	
</Products>