This section will explain how to add new items andiItemvVariants to an already existing item group using a XLS file.
XLS files can be opened with the help of popular programs like Microsoft Office Excel or Open Office Calc.

The first step is to export an item group as a XLS file. Log into the system and choose the items database from the content tabs menu. You will be redirected to the overview page of the item groups, items and item variants. There will be a list of item groups displayed in the taxonomy tree.



Choose a certain item group for adding new items and/or item variants. Click 'Export item group' and save the file in the most suitable location. Then open it using a program you own. In this section of the manual, Open Office Calc will be used.

Adding new items and item variants, directly in a XLS file, is as follows:

 Columns "ID" and "Action" should be left unchanged

There are four options to choose from in the 'Status' column:  

• New - indicates that an item or item variant is currently being created, therefore it will not be avalaible for publishing until it is approved
• Active - indicates that an item or item variant is avalaible for publishing
• Offline - indicates that an item or item variant is not avalaible for publishing
• Translate - indicates that an item or item variant needs to be translated, therefore it is not avalaible for publishing

To add a new item or item variant - use the 'New' status

The column "Item name" ('product name' in this example) should be fillled with the item's name. Further on, in the same row, enter the values of properties into the corresponding columns. All input should always be done on grey fields.

Adding item variants must be done directly below the item, which variants are being created. It always has to be provided on a white backgroud.

When adding items and item variants, keep in mind that:

- Fields of properties which are required must be filled in

- Values of properties, which are multilingual, are visible and identical in every language. For example, sizes of T-shirts (such as S, M, L) will be the same in every language

- Each property is reserved either for an item or an item variant, so values of properties should be filled in appropriately
 

- You can add/edit value list properties right on the XLS level - it's called Content Types in XLS

Save changes by using the proper button or using the CTRL+S shortcut.

In order to see the effect of changes, the item group file (XLS) with added items and/or item variants needs to be imported. To do so, using a web browser, go to the items database from the content tabs menu. You will be redirected to the overview page of item groups, items and item variants. Choose the item group which was previously exported and modified from the taxonomy tree.

Choose the "Import" button located in the button list.  

Since new items and/or new item variants were added to an item group, choose ITEM_GROUP as a type of document and browse for the modified XLS file. At the end, click  the "Upload" button to continue.

Any mistakes done in the XLS file are reported on a page which you are redirected to after clicking the "Upload" button. Mistakes are clearly explained, so they are easy to fix. When the items and/or item variants are correctly added in the XLS file, then Pending Changes overview will be displayed. Here, the possibility to accept certain actions or to discard them is shown. When there is more than one action to process, there will be an option to discard only some of them by deselecting their checkboxes.

Keep in mind, that the application treats adding one new item and it's variants as one action.

When all actions are approved click the 'Process' button to process actions. Otherwise click  'Cancel' to discard actions. Both buttons are located on the top-right at the main view. Changes will be visible both in the taxonomy tree of Publications/Website (when item navigation will be updated) and in the taxonomy tree of the Content/Items database.