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Import Mapping Options Reference

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The Import/Update Products screen is the heart of WooCommerce Products Import & Export with Excel. This reference lists every control on that screen with its exact on-screen label and the form field name it uses, so you know precisely what each checkbox does before you run an import.

Open the screen at WPFactory > Product Import/Export > Import/Update Products. After you upload an Excel file, the controls below appear above and beside the data mapping area.

The Import/Update Products mapping screen with its option checkboxes

Mapping controls #

Label Field name What it does
Auto Match Columns automatch_columns Automatically maps Excel columns to product fields by matching their names, instead of dragging each one by hand.
Use Previously Saved Configuration saved_configuration Applies the mapping you saved on an earlier run. Appears only after a mapping has been saved.
UPDATE ONLY update_only Updates existing products only, without creating new ones. Pair it with the match field below.
update by (ID / SKU / TITLE) updateby Chooses how existing products are matched during an update: by id, sku, or title.
Always add new Products even if title is the same add_always_new Forces a new product per row even when a product with the same title exists. Does not apply to variable products.
Create only Simple Product with Attributes, if any ONLY, Not Variations product_type Imports each row as a simple product that carries attributes, without generating variations.
WooCommerce Subscriptions subscriptions Imports rows as subscription products. Appears only when WooCommerce Subscriptions is active.
Replace Categories on Update replaceCategories Replaces a product’s existing categories with those in the file instead of adding to them.
Select Parent Categories as well selectparent Also assigns the parent categories of any category found in the file.
Set Last Variation as Default (Variable Products) default_attr Marks the last imported variation of a variable product as its default selection.
Assign Attribute to product even if value is null assign_attr Adds attribute combinations without needing a duplicate row for an attribute value already imported.
Add Variable product from 1 row with attributes separated with separator defined in settings var_one_row Builds a whole variable product from a single row, splitting attribute values by the separator set in Settings.
Save Mapping for later use save_mapping Stores the current column mapping so you can reuse it, build a template, or schedule imports.

Note: the one-row variable import (var_one_row) splits attribute values using the character set at WPFactory > Product Import/Export > Settings > Main > Separator for multiple values import. Set that separator before you run a one-row import, otherwise the values will not split correctly.

How product type is decided #

You rarely need to state the product type in the file. Products Import & Export with Excel infers it:

  • A row with more than one attribute value or an existing variation becomes a variable product (or variable subscription when the Subscriptions option is ticked).
  • A row you map a product URL to becomes an external / affiliate product.
  • A single-attribute row with the Subscriptions option ticked becomes a subscription; otherwise it becomes a simple product.
  • Ticking Create only Simple Product with Attributes … Not Variations forces every row to a simple product.

Related articles #

Get more from Products Import & Export with Excel #

WooCommerce Products Import & Export with Excel maps any Excel layout to WooCommerce products and updates them just as easily. See everything it can do.