--- title: "Stock Manager with Excel: Common Setup Questions" description: Quick answers on activating Pro, building the Excel template, mapping columns, automating updates and using Google Sheets. url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/multiple-instruction/" updated: "2026-09-26" category: How to --- # Stock Manager with Excel: Common Setup Questions These are quick answers to the most common setup questions about [Products Stock Manager with Excel for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/products-stock-manager-with-excel-for-woocommerce/): activating Pro, building the Excel template, mapping columns, automating updates and using Google Sheets. Everything is configured at **WPFactory > Stock Manager**, mostly on the **Settings** tab. ## How do I activate the Pro version? Pro is a standalone plugin. 1. Download the Pro ZIP from your WPFactory account. 2. Go to **Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin**, upload it and click **Activate**. If the free version is active, Pro deactivates it automatically. 3. Enter your license key under **WPFactory > Key Manager** so you receive updates. 4. Open the plugin at **WPFactory > Stock Manager**. Older versions placed it under WooCommerce > Stock Manager; since version 4.0.0 it is in the WPFactory menu. ## How can I build my Excel file template for updating product stock? You have two options: - **Export your products** from the **Export** tab. The file has the required columns first (ID, SKU, REGULAR PRICE, SALE PRICE, STOCK, STOCK STATUS), even if you add more fields. Download it with **Export to xlsx**. - **Download the sample Excel file** from the **Update** tab and fill it in. Keep headings on row 1, start products on row 2 and save as .xlsx. Details: [how to export WooCommerce products and stock to Excel](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-manager-export-stock-excel/). ## How do I map my Excel columns to product fields? The plugin uses a predefined layout, the one in the sample and the export: A = ID, B = SKU, C = regular price, D = sale price, E = stock, F = stock status. If your file is different: 1. Go to **WPFactory > Stock Manager** and click **Settings**. 2. Select the letter of each column in the **Excel Column Letter** fields (Product ID, SKU, Stock Number, Stock Status, Regular Price, Sale Price). 3. Tick what you actually want to update: **Update Stock Number**, **Update Stock Status**, **Update Regular Price** or **Update Sale Price**. Nothing is updated until at least one is ticked. 4. Click **Save Changes**. ## How do I automate the update process? 1. Go to **WPFactory > Stock Manager** and click **Settings**. 2. Set **Auto Import with Cron** to **Yes**. 3. Set **Remote Excel URL**: the address where your Excel file is published for automatic updates. 4. Set **Auto Import Frequency** to suit your needs, from once every minute to monthly. 5. Set **Auto Import Time**: the exact time (in UTC) the first update starts. 6. Click **Save Changes**. Full guide: [how to schedule automatic stock updates from a remote Excel file](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-manager-schedule-automatic-stock-updates/). ## How do I use a Google Spreadsheet to update stock and prices automatically? Publish the sheet as an Excel file so the plugin can read it as .xlsx. In Google Sheets, go to **File > Share > Publish to web**, select **Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)** as the output, publish, and paste the link into **Remote Excel URL**. Step by step: [how to update WooCommerce stock from a Google Spreadsheet](https://wpfactory.com/docs/how-to-update-woocommerce-products-stock-number-from-google-spreadsheet/). ## Where can I get more help? Start with the [getting started guide](https://wpfactory.com/docs/how-to-use-products-stock-manager-with-excel-for-woocommerce/), or check the [troubleshooting guide](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-manager-troubleshooting/) if an update does not behave as expected. ### Get more control Column mapping and scheduled updates are part of [Products Stock Manager with Excel for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/products-stock-manager-with-excel-for-woocommerce/) Pro. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/products-stock-manager-with-excel-for-woocommerce/). Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Stock Manager support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/products-stock-manager-with-excel-for-woocommerce/). Related articles - [Stock Manager with Excel: Free vs Pro](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-manager-free-vs-pro/) - [How to Check Low Stock with the Stock Manager Report](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-manager-low-stock-report/) - [How to Update WooCommerce Stock in Bulk with Excel](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-manager-bulk-update-stock-excel/) - [How to Sum Stock from Multiple Excel Rows for a WooCommerce Product](https://wpfactory.com/docs/how-to-update-and-manage-stock-based-on-multiple-excel-rows-for-woocommerce-product/) - [Stock Manager Developer Hooks and Filters](https://wpfactory.com/docs/stock-manager-developer-hooks/)