Linnworks Desktop Documentation

Import Data

Overview
In this section, Linnworks.net's Automated Import facilities are covered. One-off or scheduled imports of data can be brought into the system from an external file. The frequency of these imports can be set to meet a range of requirements.
Data Import - File Location

Table of Contents

Videos

Accessing Import Data

  1. Select Settings > Import & Export data
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  2. Select Import data
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  3. The Data Import screen will be displayed
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Import Data Screen Overview

The Data Import screen is used to create, configure and manage the imports that are set up as well as checking logs of the import execution history

  Buttons

  • Add Scheduled Import - use this option to create a new scheduled import.
  • Import Now - use this option to create a one-off import that is run on an ad-hoc basis.

The biggest difference between the Add Scheduled Import and Import Now are that a schedule can be defined when an import is set up via the Add Scheduled Import button. A schedule does not have to be defined and so it can mimic the behaviour of Import Now, with the added benefit that information about the file and column mapping is saved in the config. This allows the import to be run on an ad-hoc basis by clicking Run Now. Import Once type imports will only retain the type of import between runs, therefore a new file needs to be supplied and mapped each time the Reimport button is clicked.

  Grid View

Column Name Description
Name The user-friendly name was given to the import to make to easily recognisable in the grid.
Type The Linnworks Import Type that is used to categorise the import.
Enabled Imports can only be executed when an Import is Enabled. To toggle the state simply click on the button.
Last Import The data and time in UTC the previous import was executed.
Status of last import The outcome of the most recent import
  • Awaiting the first run - The import has never been executed.
  • Errors - The import failed, use View Log to investigate the cause.
  • Success - The import executed with no reported errors.
Next Import Date The expected time the next import will be executed
  • 2015 Dec 11 10:00:00 - This is an example of the next scheduled time for an import.
  • Imminent - The import is already added to the active schedule and will execute shortly.
  • Import disabled - As the import is disabled no information can be provided.
  • Importing (%) - The import is currently running and updating your system.
  • Just Once - The import was defined using the Import Once button and therefore does not have a schedule.
  • Queued - The import will shortly be added to the active schedule, this occurs when selecting Run Now or Reimport options.
  • Schedule disabled - The import does not have schedule defined, to execute the import either click the Run Now button or set up a Schedule.
Options Use the buttons to manage the selected Import
  • Configure - Open the selected Data Import to reconfigure any of the settings.
  • View Log - Open the logs to investigate the history of Import seeing when it was executed and if any errors were reported at the time.
  • Copy - Copy button will copy the selected routine for a new Import.
  • Delete - Permanently remove the Data Import and all associated logs, there is no way to recover a Data Import once removed.
  • Run Now - Linnworks will add the import to the queue and it will be executed shortly.
  • Reimport - Available for Import Once, you will be asked to reselect the file, the import will be added to queues and it will be executed shortly.

CSV File Creation

Comma Separated Variable (CSV) files, also known as flat-files, are the format that all data imports and exports in Linnworks.net use. In order to make the import process as easy as possible, please consider the following when creating CSV files for data imports:

  • The first row is reserved for column headings. Leaving a blank heading will mean the column is imported as Column #, where # is a number
    • As these column headings are used in the mapping process, these should either match the name of an Available Column for the import you are mapping or be clearly identifiable
    • Available Columns are listed on each data import type. A list of data import types can be found here
  • If one or more columns have the same heading, the file will be rejected

Further Guides