It's a good practice to periodically back up your inventory data - especially before connecting any new apps.
We understand that your inventory data is sacred and we want to guarantee that your data is always secure. It is for this reason that we recommend creating a backup copy of your inventory data prior to performing any functions in SKU IQ such as pushing inventory between your two platforms, choosing to update fields from one platform to the other, or linking previously unlinked items. We recommend backing up as a precaution just in case syncing selections are made incorrectly, source of truth changes, incorrect items are pushed, or unintended deletions occur. This document will explain how to backup your data for each platform.
Use this chart to quick-jump to your platform(s).
What is a CSV File versus an XLSX file?
A .csv file is a comma separated value file. This is a file that is actually a text file that uses commas to separate values. Each line in the file is a data record (or in your instance, your items' information) with each part of the information separated by a comma. This can then be converted by programs like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple's Numbers programs into a spreadsheet-like appearance.
While this format is very popular, it is not fully standardized and can cause issues when uploading to other platforms due to the lack of standardization. Many platforms recommend using XLSX files instead as they are much more standardized.
XLSX (or XLS for older programs) is the file type used for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. XLSX files are used to store and manage data like numbers, formulas, text, etc. in your standardized spreadsheet. Each cell in the spreadsheet contains the information you have for each item (each row being for an individual item). XLSX files can be opened in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple Numbers as well.
🌟 Note: You will need Microsoft Office 2007 or newer in order to open the XLSX file format. Microsoft Office 2003 or older will not be able to open the XLSX, so you will need to use a different program if you would like to open the spreadsheet after it has been downloaded.
Clover
- Navigate to your Clover Dashboard
- On the left hand side, select “Inventory”
- Click on the three dots just under account on the top right hand corner of the screen
- “Import” and “Export” will appear. Click on “Export”
- An automatic download will start. The file will be called “inventory.xlsx”.
Shopify
🌟 Note: If you export up to one page of products (up to 50 products), then the CSV file is downloaded by your browser. If you export more than one page of products (51 or more products), then the CSV file is emailed to you. If you aren't the store owner, then the file is sent to the store owner's email as well.
- Navigate to your Shopify Admin Panel
- Click on Products on the left hand side menu on the admin panel
- Click on “Export”. It will be on the right hand side of the page, just under your name.
- A popup window will appear. We recommend the following settings:
- Once you have finished selecting your options, click “Export products”. If you have more than 50 products, a .csv file will be emailed to you and the store owner. If you have less than 50 products, a .csv file will download through your browser.