Scheduling an Import

The Scheduled Import process is similar to the manual Import process, with respect to the available import file format and types of import entities:

• The import file should be in .CSV format
• You can import product and customer data

The advantage of using Scheduled Import is that you can automatically import a data file multiple times after specifying the import parameters and schedule only once.

Add Scheduled Import

The details of each import operation are not written to a log, but in case of failure you will receive an Import Failed email, with a description of the error. The result of the last scheduled import job is shown in the Last Outcome column on the Scheduled Import/Export page.

After each import operation, a copy of the import file is placed in the var/log/import_export directory on the server where Magento is deployed. The timestamp, the marker of the imported entity (products or customers), and the type of the operation (in this case, import) are added to the import file name.

After each scheduled import job, a reindex operation is performed automatically. On the frontend, changes in the descriptions and other text information are reflected after the updated data goes to the database, and the changes in prices are reflected only after the reindex operation.

Step 1: Complete the Import Settings

1. On the Admin sidebar, go to System > Data Transfer > Scheduled Import/Export.

2. In the upper-right corner, click Add Scheduled Import and do the following:

   • Name — Enter a name for the scheduled import.

   • Description — Enter a brief description that explains the purpose of the import and how it is to be used.

   • Entity Type — Set to one of the following: Products or Customers

   • Import Behavior — Set to one of the following:

     • Append Complex Data — Adds new complex data to the existing complex data for existing entries in the database. This is the default value.
     • Replace Existing Complex Data — Writes over existing complex for existing entities in the database.
     • Delete Entities — Deletes existing entries in the database.

   • Start Time — Set to the hour, minute, and second that the import is scheduled to begin.

   • Frequency — Set to one of the following: Daily, Weekly, or Monthly

   • Field Separator — Enter the character that is used to separate fields in the import file. The default character is a comma.

   • Multiple Value Separator — Enter the character that is used to separate multiple values within a field.

   • Status — To activate the scheduled import, set to Enabled.

   Import Settings

Step 2: Complete the Import File Information

1. Set Server Type to one of the following:

   • Local Server - Imports the data from the same server where Magento is installed.
   • Remote FTP - Imports the data from a remote server.

   Import File Information

2. Enter the File Directory where the import file originates.

   • Local Server - Enter a relative path in the Magento installation. For example, var/import.
   • Remote FTP server - Enter the full URL and path to the import folder on the remote server.

3. Enter the File Name to be imported.

4. For Images File Directory, enter the path to the directory where product images are stored.

5. On a local server, enter a relative path such as: var/import.

Step 3: Configure the Import Failed Emails

1. Set Failed Email Receiver to the store contact who is to receive notification if an error occurs during the import.

2. Set Failed Email Sender to the store contact that appears as the sender of the notification.

3. Set Failed Email Template to the template that is used for the notification.

4. For Send Failed Email Copy To, enter the email address of anyone who is to receive a copy of the notification.

   Separate multiple email addresses with a comma.

5. Set Failed Email Copy Method to one of the following:

   • Bcc - Sends a blind courtesy copy of the failed import notification. The name and address of the recipient is included in the original email distribution, but hidden from view.
   • Separate Email - Sends a copy of the failed import notification as a separate email.

   Import Failed Emails

6. When complete, click Save.

   The new scheduled import job is added to the list on the Scheduled Import/Export page. From this page it can be run immediately for testing and edited. The import file is validated before the execution of each import job.

Field Descriptions

Import Settings

Import File Information

Import Failed Emails