Importing data into Pickler can be tricky due to precise formatting and interconnected data points, often leading to validation errors like weight mismatches. While ensuring accuracy, it can be time-consuming. To tackle these challenges, Pickler's import template introduces key improvements that simplify and streamline the import process.
Key Improvements
Less Complex Import Format: A more intuitive and user-friendly structure simplifies data entry, reducing errors from the start.
Value Validation: Built-in automated checks ensure your data is accurate and compliant before importing, minimizing rejections.
Configurable Imports: Flexibility to select which data points to include, allowing users to tailor imports to their specific needs.
Use product data exports: The template can process your Pickler product data export files, transforming the data into a more user-friendly format, allowing you to enjoy the template's benefits even with existing data.
Download latest version — experimental
The import template is still in development and an experimental feature. It may not always function as expected or instructions might be missing. This template can also change without notice. If you encounter any issues, please contact us via chat or [email protected].
How it works
Step 1: Unblock the template
This file uses Excel macros to function properly, but macros are blocked by default. To unblock and use this file, follow these instructions:
Right-click on the Excel file in Windows Explorer.
Select Properties.
Under the General tab, check the Unblock box in the Security section.
Click Apply.
Open the file again, and the error message should disappear.
You will likely also need to enable editing and macros once you have openend the file. You do this by clicking the prompt at the top of the Excel window.
Step 2: Start with an Empty File or Use Your Product Export from Pickler
You have two options to begin:
Option A: Start from Scratch: Begin with an empty template.
Option B: Use a Product Export File from Pickler.
Use a Pickler product data file that you export from your account. Learn how to export your product data.
In both cases, you will need to configure how you want to format your data. This template adapts to your data formatting! Here are the main configuration options:
Number of Components: Define how many components your product has (e.g., lid, box, filling). The default is 3, but you can increase this to suit your product's complexity.
Material Distribution: Choose whether materials are distributed in shares (percentages) or weights (grams). Grams are the default.
Product Weight: Specify in what unit you want to enter your product weight.
Transport Unit Net Weight: Specify in what unit you want to enter the weight of the transport unit.
Transport Unit Dimensions: Specify in what unit you want to enter the dimensions of the transport unit.
These configurations ensure your data is correctly formatted and ready for validation.
Step 3: Generate Template
Once your configuration is complete, click Generate template to create your template. The generated template will appear in a new tab.
To make changes to your template, go back to Configure tab and click Reset your template to start over.
Warning: Any data you entered will be lost if you reset the template.
Step 4: Enter Your Product Data
Now, a new tab with your custom template is generated and you can start with entering your product data. You will find all familiar data fields from Pickler.
A complete list with all data fields can be found here.
Field in template | Description |
ID | The ID that you use internally to identify your product. You always need to enter an ID in Pickler. |
Product name | Name of your product. |
Description | Your product description. |
Image url | A link to a product image. |
Product weight | The weight of the product |
Product category | Internal product category. |
Transport unit weight and dimensions | Containers, pallet, trailers, drum, tanks or any other unit load device specifically constructed for the carriage or transportation of Goods by land, sea or air. |
Supplier(s) | List of suppliers |
Materials, Pr. location, Components, Qnty | Components The individual parts like boxes, lids, labels, seals, and inserts that together form the complete packaging solution.
Production location Where a packaging component, such as a box or lid, is manufactured or assembled.
Materials The raw materials like paper, plastic, glass, or metal used to create the packaging. Components.
Component quantity Total number of parts in a packaging component. For example: Component name: Cups. Quantity: 1,000. This means the component cup represents for 1000 cups. |
Number of components | How many components per product you want to generate.
For example: Your products have a lid, box, filling, and max 2 other components.
Select 5.
This will generate a template with 5x columns for components. |
Warehouse location | The location where your packaging is stored before it's shipped to your customer.
This is often your warehouse. |
End of life region | Where your packaging is likely to be disposed.
For example, your products are sold in the Europe for 80% and 20% in the US. |
Custom End of Life distribution | Allows you to change the default End of Life Pickler values (incineration, landfill, recycling and composting) for your products.
Only use if you have statistical evidence on the end of life of your products. |
Product status | Import products as draft or verified. |
Transport route (automatic or custom) | Pickler automatically calculates the distances AND transport method (truck and or container ship) between your locations.
We recommend relying on this.
Disabling automatic transport calculation means that Pickler will not validate or calculate distances. |
Custom attributes | Allows you to add additional identifiers to your products, such as GTIN or EAN codes.
Add them comma separated. |
Step 5: Validate your data
Pickler data comes with specific requirements—for example, the total material weight must not exceed the product weight, and each product must include at least one component.
These requirements are clearly outlined in the column headers when entering your data. Even better, the template simplifies this for you.
Once your data is entered, click Validate. This will trigger a check on all your input. Any issues will be highlighted; you can hover over the flagged cells to see the specific issue.
You will also see that the template filled in blanks with default values. Default values for every field can be found here.
Step 6: generate export file and import to Pickler
You can export once there are no errors left. Once validated, click Export to download your completed import-ready file.
The file is a perfect file to import into Pickler and 100% similar to what you get when you export a file from Pickler.
Navigate to import & export in Pickler, click import and upload your file.
Support and more information
This template has been in development for a long time. Although it is thoroughly tested, you can encounter issues. Please report via chat or [email protected].