Before You Start
You can now upload and update products in bulk using Retraced’s improved Import Wizard. This tool supports the creation of Styles, Variants, and SKUs, while preserving product relationships and data integrity. It’s optimized for Excel uploads from ERP, PLM, or PIM systems.
When Should You Use the Import Wizard?
Use bulk import if:
You have structured ERP or PLM exports
You are creating more than 20–50 products
You need to update large product datasets
You are migrating historical data
If you are testing setup or creating only a few products, you can also create a product manually.
Supported File Formats
The Import Wizard supports the following file types:
.xlsx (recommended)
.csv
.ods
Files exported from PLM, ERP or custom Excel templates are all supported. For best results: Start with our ready-to-use official Retraced Excel Template.
Using Shopify?
For our partners using Shopify, you can create and update products in bulk on our platform by uploading your Shopify Products CSV Export file.
For best results we recommend using .xlsx format.
Please be aware that some formatting may be lost if the file is saved in .csv format .
How to Use the Import Wizard
Step 1: Access the Product Import Wizard
To access the Import Wizard:
Go Products → “My Styles” tab in the navigation menu.
Click on the “Add New” button at the top right of the page.
On the right side of the screen click “Import Styles”.
If the button is currently unavailable, please contact support or your Customer Success Manager.
Step 2: Choose Raw Material Format
If your file includes raw material composition data, choose how materials are structured in your spreadsheet.
You will see three options:
Option 1: One material per style
Simple raw material structure, one style per row with a single material.
Example:
Style Code | Material | Percentage |
ST-001 | Cotton | 100% |
Use this format if:
Your products consist of only one material
You do not need multiple material breakdown
You are importing simplified product data
This is the simplest structure.
Option 2: Multiple materials separated in columns (Recommended)
Raw material structure where materials and percentages are split into columns (Material 1, %1, Material 2, etc.)
Example:
Style Code | Material 1 | % Material 1 | Material 2 | % Material 2 |
ST-001 | Cotton | 60% | Polyester | 40% |
Use this format if each product has multiple materials.
This format is recommended as the importer has been optimized for this format.
Option 3: Multiple materials in rows
Structure where each material appears on its separate row for the same style.
Example:
Style Code | Material | Percentage |
ST-001 | Cotton | 60% |
ST-001 | Polyester | 40% |
Use this format if:
Your ERP exports materials as line items
You are working with row-based BOM structures
You need detailed per-material entries
Important: Ensure that Style Codes are identical across rows so the importer correctly groups them.
After selecting your file material structure click Continue.
Suppliers and Vendors can also be structured using Column or Row Separation, just like materials.
For example:
Column separation → Supplier 1, Supplier 2, etc.
Row separation → One row per supplier linked to the same style/variant/SKU
Step 3: Upload Your File
Upload your file via drag-and-drop or click “Select File”.
Please note: If you’re specifying suppliers, always use the official name (not display name).
Step 4: Select Sheet & Header Row
If your file has multiple sheets:
Select the correct sheet
Confirm the header row
The system will auto-detect, but review carefully.
Step 5: Match Columns
The system automatically maps your columns to Retraced fields. Adjust any unmapped fields manually.
Required fields:
Style Code (ID Type)
Style Code (ID Value)
Style Name
Recommended Fields (optional):
Style Type
Brand
Seasons
Variant Color
SKU Code
Raw Material Name, etc.
Some fields (e.g. Raw Material Name, Style Type) are validated against Retraced’s internal lists.
If a value in your file is not automatically matched, dropdown menus will appear, allowing you to map unmatched entries to the correct option from Retraced’s standardized list.
Step 6: Review and Clean Errors
If validation detects issues:
Errors are shown in red
Use Show Errors Only to isolate them
Fix issues directly in the interface
Common errors include:
Missing required fields
Invalid Style Type
Broken parent-child links
Duplicate identifiers
The Submit button will activate once errors are resolved. Then, click Submit to complete the import.
Once the import is completed, you will receive summary notification of how many Styles, Variants, and SKUs were created or updated.
Understanding Import Structure & Data Behavior
How the Hierarchy Is Built
The importer builds hierarchy automatically based on your file
Style Creation
A Style is created for each unique pair of: Style Code (ID Value) + Style Code (ID Type)
Variant Creation
A Variant is created when: Variant Color OR Variant Code is present → Child of the corresponding Style
If no Variant data exists: Only the Style is created.
SKU Creation
A SKU is created when: SKU Code OR Size is present → Child of the corresponding Variant
If missing: The importer stops at Variant level.
How to Clear or Override Values
To clear a field or set a value to blank during import:
Leave the cell empty in your file.
The importer will overwrite existing data with a blank value, unless the field is inherited from a parent (e.g. Style → Variant).
Leaving a field in blank does NOT automatically remove data.
You can fill UNLINK into an attribute to specifically unlink it from the parent without setting a value
How Inheritance Is Applied During Import
Variants inherit from Style unless overridden
SKUs inherit from Variant unless overridden
You can fill UNLINK into an attribute to specifically unlink it from the parent without setting a value
Example:
If a SKU has a value for Seasons that differs from its parent, the field becomes unlinked.
If fields are left blank, the parent’s value will continue to apply (they stay in sync).
How Raw Material Composition (RMC) Is Applied Across Levels
You can set raw materials at any level (Style, Variant, SKU).
If an RMC is set on the SKU level, it does not update the Variant or Style.
If RMC is only set at the Style level, it cascades downward unless overridden.
FAQs
Can I upload flat product lists without Variants or SKUs?
Yes. If Variant Code and SKU Code are missing, only Styles will be created.
Will existing data be overwritten?
Yes — if you include an existing product code, fields in the import will replace existing values.
What if my file is missing required columns?
Add blank placeholder columns. You can map them during the import.
How can I scroll to see all columns?
Use the scroll bar at the bottom of the import screen.