Importing Categories only

Unfortunately, it is not possible to import Categories only (although this makes sense and might be included in a future release).  Currently, the following 4 fields are REQUIRED for any new Import:

SKU
Product Name
Description
On-line Price

... so, there is no way to Import only the Categories.

Ultimately, these Categories will contain products, right?  If you were to add the products during the import, the Categories will be created... so our suggestion would be to simply make sure that your import file contains the products that will be assigned to these Categories, and then you won't have to create them individually via the ProductCart Control Panel.

You can easily import that information into your store database by using the import features that are built into MS SQL and MS Access. A simple CSV file with the category ID, title and description meta tags will work. You can create it in MS Excel.

If you are using MS SQL, see if your Web hosting company provides with an administration area that gives you access to MS SQL import/export tools. Many do so.

If you are using MS Access: turn off your store, download the MDB file, import the information, and re-upload the file to your Web server. Then turn the store back on.

We hope this helps!

I agree with avalight. Also, I don't see any way to get the CategoryID once you have performed the initial upload.

Hi John,
     Any URL that contains a link to a category will show the ID, so the "manage categories" page effectively makes them all available - in the link to each category. I'm curious as to why you need the ID value.

I've also got an idea for a work-around for loading all the categories, although it would work best if there are no proper product records loaded yet. In summary the plan is to load a set of dummy products with the categories and then delete the products, leaving the categories behind.

Use the product import feature and provide values for:
SKU
Product Name
Description
On-line Price
Inactive - Set this flag so these fake products are not visible in the storefront.

There are several approaches.
A) Use real SKU's for products that will be later properly uploaded - in which case your done as the product records will be updated with the correct values when you upload or update the products with the correct values later.

B) Make the SKU's unique (easily done in excel) and preferably nothing like the real SKU's you will be using, although that really won't matter if are deleting all the products afterwards. After importing ...
    - If ONLY the products you imported are set as "Inactive" use “purgeInactiveProducts.asp” which is available from the WIKI page linked to below.
    -  If they are the ONLY products then use “purgeProducts.asp” where you can choose to purge them all. 
The notes on the WIKI link below arte IMPORTANT - please read and understand all the ramifications before running the code.
http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/how_to/remove_all_products

Note - If you already have real products loaded including inactive ones then you would end up having to delete the "fake" products individually, in which case this is not likely to save any time, unless, as above, you can make them the only "inactive" products.
 
I HAVE NOT TESTED THIS, but if your doing this with an empty DB then there is no real risk.