EasyPopulate 4.0 Support Thread

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrysalid

Hi Chadd,
Before I download and install this version, how do I uninstall the one I have??
Thanks,
Amber

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Hi Amber,

EP4 has been completed forked from other/earlier versions so you can install EP4 along side them. HOWEVER!!!! There are some differences in the import files and they are not directly cross-compatible with other versions!

To uninstall your old EP version you would need to do two things:

1) Run the SQL uninstall code in Tools -> Install SQL Patches
2) Use a FTP program or the file manager from within your website's Cpanel and delete all the old files.

You have to be very careful doing both! You don't want to accidentally delete some key zencart php file!

-chadd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by comsystics

I am getting an error when I try to import my file that says "no category provided for this new product", what am I doing wrong?
Thanks

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What this means is that you have a new v_products_model, but do not have an entry under v_categories_name_1.
So you get the error because EP4 doesn't know where to put the new product in the category tree.

-chadd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Keezee

Chad,
Just wanted to stop by and say thank you again for all of your hard work! Your labors have made my life a lot easier!
I finally updated EP4 and the Attributes upgrades are amazing, thank you.
I've been using EP4 for all of my import/export needs for over a year.
So, again... thank you Chad!

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Hi Keezee!
Thank you for the kind words! It's good to hear that people are successfully using EP4 and especially that the attribute imports are working as designed.

-chadd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by akjim62

I have a client who asked me to take over managing products on there ZenCart, and I am trying to get the EasyPopulate 4 to work. I do not see the EasyPopulate 4 option under the Configuration Menu, or Tools Menu after copying all the files to where I think they belong. The root of the site is /web, the admin folder is located at /web/catalog/admin, there is a temp folder at /web/catalog/admin/temp, and at /web/catalog/temp, and /web/temp. The store is located at /web/store, includes are located at /web/catalog/includes, and boxes/extra_boxes is under includes. Can anyone help me figure out why I do not see the EasyPopulate option under Configuration? Thanks. SunOS 5.10, PHP Version 4.4.8, MySQL 4.1.22, ZenCart 1.3.9d.

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You need to install EP4 into your admin directory. From your post this looks to be /web/catalog/admin...You can configure your temp directory after install. If you are still stuck, send me a PM and I'll try to help offline.

-chadd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by heteromorphic

Yes, I think you are right! Is the import corrupted if quotes are used? (i.e. "word")?

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No, not with normal quotes. HOWEVER, on some UTF-8 systems "Character 0x92" can cause odd problems. You should have under your Configure -> Easy Populate 4 "Convert Character 0x92" set to 1.

I have seen this odd character cause truncating of descriptions. Be sure you are using the correct character set for your store and have support in your database.

Also, if you use Open Office when you export your CSV, you will properly encapsulate your text fields. This will allow you to use double and single quotes in your descriptions, and it will not break the import. Open Office will also let you select your target character encoding on export. Excel won't. Depending on the version of Excel you use, I cannot guarantee what works with what version.

-chadd

After downloading a fullep spreadsheet I noticed some headings that are new, as compared to previous EP spreadsheets.
v_metatags_products_name_status
v_metatags_title_status
v_metatags_model_status
v_metatags_price_status
v_metatags_title_tagline_status
v_metatags_title_1
v_metatags_keywords_1
v_metatags_description_1


all of the _status fields contained a 0
the remainder were blank

So educate me here. What should the status be for new products that I want to add to my site?
Can I use the v_metatags_title_1, v_metatags_keywords_1, v_metatags_description_1 fields to add metatag info instead of doing it manually through the Admin area?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Serious

After downloading a fullep spreadsheet I noticed some headings that are new, as compared to previous EP spreadsheets.
v_metatags_products_name_status
v_metatags_title_status
v_metatags_model_status
v_metatags_price_status
v_metatags_title_tagline_status
v_metatags_title_1
v_metatags_keywords_1
v_metatags_description_1


all of the _status fields contained a 0
the remainder were blank

So educate me here. What should the status be for new products that I want to add to my site?
Can I use the v_metatags_title_1, v_metatags_keywords_1, v_metatags_description_1 fields to add metatag info instead of doing it manually through the Admin area?

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The _status columns are either 0=off or 1=on and the others are text entries. How you use these is up to you. Configure meta tags for a product from within the admin, then export so you have a template of what to set the status's to.

These column are used to populate your metatag information. I think Phazie was the original contributor of this code.

Not that there is an option in Configuration -> Easy Populate 4 to turn off the meta tag field to reduce your export file size for when you aren't working on meta tags.

-chadd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chadderuski

Separate the fields with a comma, but do not add spaces, for example: field1,field2,field3
Do not add quotes either.

Your sheet will then export with columns for these fields as: v_field1, v_field2, v_field3

Let me know how that works for you!
-chadd

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Hey that worked . Just installed EP4 , hoping to use it to the fullest.

Thanks Chadd !

Another guy having a problem with product descriptions.

I went to Admin/Configuration/All Listings/Display Product Description and changed the value from 150 to 900. No change.

Descriptions still getting cut off.

Thanks Chadd, I did put the files in the /web/catalog/admin folder, but I don't see any changes to the menus. I also uploaded a FedEx shipping module to /web/store/includes/modules/shipping and don't see that either, and when I did that, it removed all the shipping options from the menu that used to be available. I wish I knew exactly how this was originally set up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Serious

Another guy having a problem with product descriptions.

I went to Admin/Configuration/All Listings/Display Product Description and changed the value from 150 to 900. No change.

Descriptions still getting cut off.

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I'm going to need to see the .csv file you are using. Can you attached the portion that you know contains the problem description?

Like I said above, I've only seen this when three is a "funky" character in the product descriptions that breaks the csv layout.
Are you using OpenOffice to export the CSV?

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by akjim62

Thanks Chadd, I did put the files in the /web/catalog/admin folder, but I don't see any changes to the menus. I also uploaded a FedEx shipping module to /web/store/includes/modules/shipping and don't see that either, and when I did that, it removed all the shipping options from the menu that used to be available. I wish I knew exactly how this was originally set up.

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Do you have a backup of your store? Was this a fresh install of 1.5 or older/upgraded version? It sound like something got FUBAR'd ... how did you install zencart? Manually or via a cpanel auto script?

Always best to do a manual install.

-chadd

i am using easy populate and its all quite easy, but how do i set the price of an item to Call for price rather than putting the price in?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by haberdashery

i am using easy populate and its all quite easy, but how do i set the price of an item to Call for price rather than putting the price in?

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look for the column: v_product_is_call
put a 1 in that column to turn on "call for pricing" ... depending on how you have your store setup, this should work!

I am new to Easy Populate and have used any kind of software like EP before so please bear with me. I would like to know whether I need to create the categories in ZC before I upload a file or if I need to create a column in EP for the different categories. Ex. I am a licensed gun dealer and want to make sure that when I upload files that semi auto handguns go into the category in ZC for semi auto handguns and not in the revolvers section etc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chadderuski

I'm going to need to see the .csv file you are using. Can you attached the portion that you know contains the problem description?

Like I said above, I've only seen this when three is a "funky" character in the product descriptions that breaks the csv layout.
Are you using OpenOffice to export the CSV?

Thanks.

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Yes I'm using Open Office.

I tried uploading a sample file with a .CVS file extension but got an error message saying it was an invalid file type...so I'm clueless as to how to post it here.

Trying to gather info on adding/replacing a field name and found this:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chadderuski

The main work is in the includes/functions/extra_functions/easy_populate_4.php file

Go down to the function ep_4_set_filelayout() function. You are going to add layout entries to the "full" case.

Look a the entries for:

if ($ep_supported_mods['upc'] == true) { // UPC Mod
$filelayout[] = 'v_products_upc';
}

And a little further down:

$filelayout_sql = 'SELECT ....
if ($ep_supported_mods['upc'] == true) { // UPC Code mod
$filelayout_sql .= 'p.products_upc as v_products_upc,';
}

Basically you are going to create your own mod, and add your file layout and sql statements here.

You will need to define your mod in the easypopulate_4.php file, and then there are a number of additional edits to the easypopulate_4_import.php file.

If this is beyond your php knowledge, PM me a list of the field names as they appear in your products table and their field types. Verify them with phpMyAdmin.

But you should be able to puzzle it out easily enough... $ep_supported_mods[] is how I switch on entries for these mods. So they are found pretty easily.

-chadd

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Can I safely assume that the file in bold blue should actually be ADMIN/includes/functions/extra_functions/easy_populate_4.php or am i missing a file?

Figured out that I need to zip the .csv file first.
So here's 1 file that I downloaded
Attachment 11255

With the previous version of EP I replaced the v_products_weight with v_products_shipping_code
. This field is used to enter a shipping code that I create/assign with Ceon Adv. Shipper.

So based on my question immediately above this post, can I simply edit ADMIN/includes/functions/extra_functions/easy_populate_4.php so that all instances of v_products_weight is replaced with v_products_shipping_code?

Hi
I'm new to this and I'm having an issue with the Easy Populate Addon.
I have uploaded all the files but when I go to Admin/Tools there is no Easy Populate there.

What have i missed or done wrong?
Any help would be appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bnesupplies

Hi
I'm new to this and I'm having an issue with the Easy Populate Addon.
I have uploaded all the files but when I go to Admin/Tools there is no Easy Populate there.

What have i missed or done wrong?
Any help would be appreciated.

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Hi, below is what I just posted on your other thread, hope it helps.

=======================
Easy Populate 4 has installed flawlessly for me on zencart versions 1.3.9h, 1.5.0 and 1.5.1

1. Are you SURE you uploaded all files and correctly? The readme suggests that this is not the case if EP4 does not appear in admin/tools. This plugin comes with two sets of files, both of which must be uploaded. Specifically, did you upload the secondary file set for zencart 1.5 called "zencart 1.5 extra files"?

2. Easy Populate 4 does not come with a sql patch, as it (apparently) self installs.

3. Once you get this or any easypopulate working, make sure you back-up your database before every easy populate upload. The Easy Populates work as intended in my experience, but sometimes operator error working with the spead sheets occurs. The readme recommends DrByte's data base backup plugin, which is the one we use for easy DB backups, and if necessary, quick restores, just in case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Serious

Figured out that I need to zip the .csv file first.
So here's 1 file that I downloaded
Attachment 11255

With the previous version of EP I replaced the v_products_weight with v_products_shipping_code
. This field is used to enter a shipping code that I create/assign with Ceon Adv. Shipper.

So based on my question immediately above this post, can I simply edit ADMIN/includes/functions/extra_functions/easy_populate_4.php so that all instances of v_products_weight is replaced with v_products_shipping_code?

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Hey Serious,

You don't need to do this with EP4. EP4 now supports User Defined Products Fields ... go to Configuration -> Easy Populate 4 and add your products_shipping_code here... support multiple entries separated by a comma, but no spaces or quotes: field_1,field_2,field_3

-chadd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firstcapitalfirearms

I am new to Easy Populate and have used any kind of software like EP before so please bear with me. I would like to know whether I need to create the categories in ZC before I upload a file or if I need to create a column in EP for the different categories. Ex. I am a licensed gun dealer and want to make sure that when I upload files that semi auto handguns go into the category in ZC for semi auto handguns and not in the revolvers section etc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Please read the first post in this thread for instructions on how to import categories. It is also explained in the readme files.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chadderuski

If I understand WHAT you are doing, then I can only suggest trying this:

Deleted your items from withing the admin normally, then go to the store manager and "optimize" your databases. Now try to import your data with EP4.

If memory serves me right, MySQL doesn't actually delete record entries when you select "delete". It marks the record location as deleted and you you no longer see the deleted record from within phpMyAdmin. When you optimize the database, it compresses the database and removes all deleted entries.

So it appears there is a slight difference in the way that zencart finds the next available record number and the way EP4 does it.

Hope this helps.
-chadd

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I apologize for the delayed response;

I tried your suggestion to optimize the database, but it still didn't correct the way the products were importing.

For the time being, I just skipped a large number of model numbers so that the last 3 digits of the model number remained consistent with the last 3 digits of the ID.

Hello,

I need help with easy pop 4 install. I do know there is a forum support thread which I have looked through over the last day and I can't seem to find what Im looking for. Also it seems like its been a few months since its been commented on so not sure if its active.

Here is my question: I am uploading the files to my host where the zencart is stored for my store and I am following the folders and placing the files in the same folders that they are in the install in. But it seems to not be working as the easy pop 4 option does not seem to be coming up. I am following the install instructions but seem to be doing something wrong can someone please help me!! Where is the files supposed to go that seem to have now folder like the examples files and so on Im really lost!!

Thank you for your help!!

Ok so I worked out what I was doing wrong and I can now see Easy Populate 4 in the Tools menu. I click on it and i get the following message. It doesn't seem to be in the Install notes so has anyone else had the same issue?
"WARNING: An Error occurred, please refresh the page and try again."
Or have I still got something in the wrong place.

Hello,

So I have installed EZ4 and uploaded my file in .csv to my database and it showed as supported on my upload page of my admin. I then imported the file to my zen cart admin and it said import was successful in green at top of screen however I get red error messages that say: No model field in record. This line was not imported what does this mean and how do I fix it. Also would this make it so no products show-up if some products have this.

Also bnesupplies I have that exact same problem but on my option value page still trying to figure out how to fix it. If some one knows that would be great If I find out I will let you know ok BNE please let me know if you do!!

Thank you all for your help and responses.

This question is open to anyone that might have figured this out already, not just chadderuski, so feel free to jump in.

I'm trying to download a spreadsheet, add to the MetaTag cells and then uoload the same file. What I'm finding is that data in the v_products_description_1 fields varies with regards to the format being displayed.

Take a look at the attached .zip file and you'll see the first product description contains more than just text. <br />, <p> are two that I see in the first two product descriptions while the third is just text, and that's what I'd like to see in all of the product descriptions.


With nearly 10k worth of products on my site, this would be an outstanding way of updating my MetaTags for SEO, but I'm kind of stopped untill I get this issue resolved.

Anyone able to shed some light on why the descriptions vary and how I can correct them?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bnesupplies

Ok so I worked out what I was doing wrong and I can now see Easy Populate 4 in the Tools menu. I click on it and i get the following message. It doesn't seem to be in the Install notes so has anyone else had the same issue?
"WARNING: An Error occurred, please refresh the page and try again."
Or have I still got something in the wrong place.

---

This is most certainly a PHP error. Likely because you have not uploaded all files to their correct location, or have some files in the wrong location....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Serious

This question is open to anyone that might have figured this out already, not just chadderuski, so feel free to jump in.

I'm trying to download a spreadsheet, add to the MetaTag cells and then uoload the same file. What I'm finding is that data in the v_products_description_1 fields varies with regards to the format being displayed.

Take a look at the attached .zip file and you'll see the first product description contains more than just text. <br />, <p> are two that I see in the first two product descriptions while the third is just text, and that's what I'd like to see in all of the product descriptions.


With nearly 10k worth of products on my site, this would be an outstanding way of updating my MetaTags for SEO, but I'm kind of stopped untill I get this issue resolved.

Anyone able to shed some light on why the descriptions vary and how I can correct them?

---

Hey Serious,

These tags are basic HTML markup tags. Very useful for formatting your descriptions.

<br></br> = line break
<b></b> = bold
<p></p> = paragraph

You shouldn't have to worry about these. If your editor is set to HTML instead of text, you'll get a lot of these in your export file.

Hello,

So I have installed EZ4 and uploaded my file in .csv to my database and it showed as supported on my upload page of my admin. I then imported the file to my zen cart admin and it said import was successful in green at top of screen however I get red error messages that say: No model field in record. This line was not imported what does this mean and how do I fix it. Also would this make it so no products show-up if some products have this.

Also bnesupplies I have that exact same problem but on my option value page still trying to figure out how to fix it. If some one knows that would be great If I find out I will let you know ok BNE please let me know if you do!!

Thank you all for your help and responses.

Any help here please!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darion

Hello,

So I have installed EZ4 and uploaded my file in .csv to my database and it showed as supported on my upload page of my admin. I then imported the file to my zen cart admin and it said import was successful in green at top of screen however I get red error messages that say: No model field in record. This line was not imported what does this mean and how do I fix it. Also would this make it so no products show-up if some products have this.

Also bnesupplies I have that exact same problem but on my option value page still trying to figure out how to fix it. If some one knows that would be great If I find out I will let you know ok BNE please let me know if you do!!

Thank you all for your help and responses.

Any help here please!!

---

This means you either have a blank line in your data (check your spreadsheet) or you left out an entry for v_products_model
...

EP4 REQUIRES you have an entry for v_products_model for every product.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chadderuski

Hey Serious,

These tags are basic HTML markup tags. Very useful for formatting your descriptions.

<br></br> = line break
<b></b> = bold
<p></p> = paragraph

You shouldn't have to worry about these. If your editor is set to HTML instead of text, you'll get a lot of these in your export file.

---

I knew that they were HTML, but I was hoping to cut and paste some of the descriptions into the various MetaTag fields on the .csv spreadsheets.

I just uploaded a test spreadsheet (with HTML Tags) to the local copy of my site and the HTML tags are showing up in the Metatag Description. I'm not an SEO guru...but I can't imagine that being a good thing.

I've tried down loading the same spreadsheet via Admin/tools/Easy Populate 4 and each time the result is the same, some descriptions have the tags, some don't.

I will check the data for spaces but what does this other part mean please: or you left out an entry for v_products_model
...

EP4 REQUIRES you have an entry for v_products_model for every product.

Thank you for your answers

Oh the SKU each product has a SKU but I will double check

I am new to EP and am trying to upload a few test items before doing all my things. I am getting an error message "No Model Field in Record. The line was not imported". What have I done wrong. I have a column for v_products_model. If anyone needs to see the file let me know. I can possibly attach it.

Thanks
Mark

Hello,
I'm been struggling, trying to get EasyPopulate to work with my ZenCart.
I am at the point where I have downloaded the "Complete Products'" - opened in OpenOffice Calc - replaced existing records with my own, in the same format.
Tried importing - it says import complete, but then at the bottom I get the error "No model field in record. This line was not imported" followed by random text (parts of fields?) repeated hundreds of times.
Can someone help me get this working?
Thanks!!
Amber

In the first column, headed "v_products_model" (without the quotes), what values do you have in that column?

Did you add some products in your zencart and export that as a model?

I'm still struggling with the HTML tags in downloaded .CSV files.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get just the text and not the tags in the descriptions?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Serious

I'm still struggling with the HTML tags in downloaded .CSV files.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get just the text and not the tags in the descriptions?

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Do a replace for each offending tag. Don't forget to include spaces where that will be an issue. You'll then have a clean version to use for your tags.

Depending on the complexity of the tags, this may not be easy. But the tags are actually in your description; they are not just random code. It is a downside of using tags.

The spreadsheet I am using for the site that is still under development is without tags; then I add them as needed for the description upload. I have clean text to use for metatags.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VideoStan

In the first column, headed "v_products_model" (without the quotes), what values do you have in that column?

Did you add some products in your zencart and export that as a model?

---

Hi,
Yes, I have a few products already in my store, so exported a list, then replaced those items with my items.

The values in v_products_model are my model numbers.
An example (the first three items):
DVD-MATR
AAG70100G05
AAG7026005


Is there a problem with this?

Thanks,
Amber

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrysalid

Hi,
The values in v_products_model are my model numbers.
An example (the first three items):
DVD-MATR
AAG70100G05
AAG7026005

---

In that case, you probably have some fields with extra delimiters (e.g. quote marks or commas) that throw your import off. This is read as too many fields, so an empty field ends up in the model position.

Hey, What's the most stable version of Easy Populate with the latest Zencart version? The very latest version seems to give an error that is literally impossible to get around.

The error in question: MySQL error 1054: Unknown column 'EASYPOPULATE_CONFIG_CUSTOM_FIELDS' in 'field list'
Important to note: this error show up regardless of whether a "EASYPOPULATE_CONFIG_CUSTOM_FIELDS" column is present or not.

My interest isn't in fixing this error but if you have a fix I'd be very appreciative, but I believe that there isn't a fix, so I just want to know which version to install where I can avoid this issue entirely.

Also related, can you downgrade by just 'overwriting' the version you have installed? I'd rather avoid possible future problems. So if this would cause some sort of issue I was wondering how I can safely uninstall and then reinstall. (aka, what files to remove, and any sql commands I need to activate through Zencart's admin, etc)

Thanks in advance!

Ignore my last post I fixed it and I'm sorry for cluttering this page up and wasting time. :(

Thanks for reading anyway.

How do I go about exporting a product in ZC to EP so I can see the fields and such for template. I am new and have no idea.

Thanks
Mark

Isn't there an "export" link or pulldown right on the front of the EP page in your admin?

No, I do not see an Export Link or Pulldown anywhere. Below is what I have in my EP Admin section. It is in "'s.

"Easy Populate For ZenCart v1.5

Upload EP File


Import from Temp Dir (tempEP/)

Download EP and Froogle Files

Download Complete .csv file to edit (Attributes Not Included)
Download Model/Price/Qty .csv file to edit
Download Model/Price/Qty/Last Modified/Status .csv file to edit
Download Model/Category .csv file to edit
Download Froogle tab-delimited .txt file
Download Model/Attributes .csv file

Create EP and Froogle Files in Temp Dir: tempEP/

Create Complete .csv file in temp dir (Attributes Not Included)
Create Model/Price/Qty .csv file in temp dir
Create Model/Price/Qty/Last Modified/Status .csv file in temp dir
Create Model/Category .csv file in temp dir
Create Froogle tab-delimited .txt file in temp dir
Create Model/Attributes .csv file in temp dir

File
Size
Last Modified
Attributes-EP2012Oct09-2109.csv Attributes-EP2012Oct09-2109.csv 0KB Oct 09 2012 09:29:48 PM
ep_debug_log.txt ep_debug_log.txt 43KB Oct 09 2012 09:24:50 PM
fulfillment-inv-new test 1.csv fulfillment-inv-new test 1.csv 2545KB Oct 08 2012 03:09:02 PM
Full-EP2012Oct09-2109.csv Full-EP2012Oct09-2109.csv 1KB Oct 09 2012 09:14:56 PM
note.txt note.txt 0KB Oct 07 2012 07:05:07 AM
Test 2.csv Test 2.csv 5KB Oct 09 2012 09:24:50 PM"

I am getting a MySql Error 1054 on uploading a sample inventory. What does it mean and what do I do to correct this.

Mark

Those "Create ..." links are probably the Export links. And the exported files will be located in the foldername specified.

Ok thanks. Any idea on the MySQL 1054 Error that I am getting.

Thanks
Mark

The full text of the error message will be critical information.

And someone else will need to respond to that part. I don't use EP, so can't really speak to all its finer details.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firstcapitalfirearms

No, I do not see an Export Link or Pulldown anywhere. Below is what I have in my EP Admin section. It is in "'s.

---

You have a different (older) version of EP. The latest version is EP 4. This is what I see.
Attachment 11280

I am trying to install EP 4 as I guess I had the wrong EP installed the first time. Anyways I have it installed and I am getting the error

"Easy Populate "Uploads Folder" missing!
Your uploads folder is missing. Your configuration indicates that your uploads folder is named temp/, and is located in /home/firstcap/public_html/".

I am trying to locate the temp/ folder on Filezilla and I cannot find it. Am I looking for something different or what do I do to fix this problem. I see in the install.txt that it states to

"Now go to Configuration -> Easy Populate 4 and edit the Uploads Directory. The default directory is "temp/"
This assumes you have a directory "temp" in the root of your website. I highly recommend that you
move your temp directory into your admin, or change the name to something that is obscure for security reasons."

What do I change it to since I cannot even locate the temp/ folder. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mark

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firstcapitalfirearms

I am getting the error

"Easy Populate "Uploads Folder" missing!
Your uploads folder is missing. Your configuration indicates that your uploads folder is named temp/, and is located in /home/firstcap/public_html/".

---

I think you must create the folder. Just name it "temp" to see if that works. Then you can move/rename it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VideoStan

I think you must create the folder. Just name it "temp" to see if that works. Then you can move/rename it.

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Thanks it works now.

Yes - that is what has happened.
In the long descriptions, there are commas.
Is there a way I can fix this? Or do I need to replace all commas? (that would be a lot of work!)
Thanks,
Amber

Easy Populate 4 seems to be working great but I'm having a vexing problem. I've successfully imported my products but when I go to edit an individual product, I make a change click on preview, and then don't have the Back, Update, or Cancel buttons on the preview page. I do have the option with products I've uploaded individually; otherwise I would think the problem is elsewhere.

I've compared the query strings from a manually-added product and one from Easy Populate, and there is no difference other than the category and ID of the product.

I've turned on strict debugging and looked in my logs but there are no errors to give me a clue. It seems as if not allowing me to edit the product is set somewhere and I don't know where to fix it.

I'm running on a cPanel VPS with Zen Cart 1.5.1, upgraded from 1.3.9h. Everything else is working just fine.

I've been trying to find a way to 'escape' the comma - and have had no luck. So I just deleted all of the contents in the description.
There are now no comma's anywhere in the csv file.
When I try to import I get "No model field in record. This line was not imported" over and over - no records import.
But I have no idea why...
What now?
Thanks!
Amber

I haven't any trouble with commas as long as they are encapsulated inside quotes. I'd make sure you are using LibreOffice's Spreadsheet program.

If I'm not mistaken, the docs say that one must provide a model name or the import will fail. I just put the product's category name in there. I really don't think it matters what content is in that field so long as it isn't empty. Hope that helps!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chrysalid

I've been trying to find a way to 'escape' the comma - and have had no luck.

---

As Hermes says, you don't need to escape commas; just a field with a comma inside it must be enclosed in quote marks. Chad had a post somewhere that related to what character set is used. Something more than the problem I suspected is wrong.

JeeWizz! Since the forum upgrade I never get regular notifications of new posts! Sorry I missed so much activity.

Appreciate the help VideoStan, DocByte!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chrysalid

I've been trying to find a way to 'escape' the comma - and have had no luck. So I just deleted all of the contents in the description.
There are now no comma's anywhere in the csv file.
When I try to import I get "No model field in record. This line was not imported" over and over - no records import.
But I have no idea why...
What now?
Thanks!
Amber

---

If you are using OpenOffice to export your file, you do NOT have to worry about commas, quotes, etc. in your descriptions. But you do need to make sure you are exporting your file correctly from OpenOffice. This has been explain in detail in the first couple posts of this thread.

Also, please read the README docs that come with the mod. I always recommend that you enter a product manually first through the admin, then do an EXPORT to get your file header and column mapping. This goes a long way to explain how to use the mod. Most things are very self-explanatory.

-chadd

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hermes369

Easy Populate 4 seems to be working great but I'm having a vexing problem. I've successfully imported my products but when I go to edit an individual product, I make a change click on preview, and then don't have the Back, Update, or Cancel buttons on the preview page. I do have the option with products I've uploaded individually; otherwise I would think the problem is elsewhere.

I've compared the query strings from a manually-added product and one from Easy Populate, and there is no difference other than the category and ID of the product.

I've turned on strict debugging and looked in my logs but there are no errors to give me a clue. It seems as if not allowing me to edit the product is set somewhere and I don't know where to fix it.

I'm running on a cPanel VPS with Zen Cart 1.5.1, upgraded from 1.3.9h. Everything else is working just fine.

---

The only thing that I can think of without seeing your data / install is that you have not set v_product_type to 1 which is a normal/standard product.

I'm going to simplify this is the next update so that the column doesn't export unless you have enable "music" columns.

-chadd

Just to recap:

When first learning to use EP4, first manually create a product within your category tree, i.e.

products_model: widget_101

in it's proper category:

Widgets > My 101 Widgets

So you now have a widget within it's Top level category, and sub-level category.

When you export your data, you'll see the category column as this: "Widgets^My 101 Widgets"

Now, before you do anything else, you should be able to Export your data, and WITHOUT DOWNLOADING OR EDITING, import that SAME file. You should get NO errors, and a notice that says the products was "Updated".

Go look at the product and ensure the the "round-robin" Export -> Import worked without error. If you have not error, you're ready to download your CSV file and begin working on it.

If you have not experience with data import/export, easypopulate (any versions!), it is best to go slow and only work with a couple products until you are confident about what you are doing.

All I can say is that EP4 has been tested by numerous users, some with sku's numbering the hundreds of thousands (one store has 980,000 sku's!!!) without error (server permitting!).

I hope this clarifies some things for new users...

-chadd

Hmmmm. v_products_type is set to 1 for all items. There must be some kind of way to see what's different between whatever is generating the product preview for products I may edit and the ones I can't. I guess I'm looking for something like a Console, or Event Viewer for mysql. Obviously there is some difference somewhere. I appreciate the advice to go slow. I will try that again presently.

Thanks for the response!

veery frustrated over here.

Spent a few days going through all of my products via a downloaded .csv file to remove all of the HTML tags in the MetaTag descriptions.

Divided the spreadsheet int 3 separate sheets of approx. 2000 parts each.

made sure that all " were removed from the text in the description fields.

Uploaded and imported the files only to find that ALL of the product descriptions are being cut-off.

So now what?

The descriptions were correct (with regards to length) in downloaded spreadsheet.

I went back through the descriptions and noted that all text after the ® was dropping off.

Could be happening with trademark and copyright symbols too, haven't looked yet.

Anyway around this?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Serious

I went back through the descriptions and noted that all text after the ® was dropping off.

Could be happening with trademark and copyright symbols too, haven't looked yet.

Anyway around this?

---

Serious,
I sent you a PM. Please contact me off line so I can help you better.
-chadd

how do you import items and have easy populate 4 make the categories for them. it trys to import them and it says
SKIPPED! - Model: 18200 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18201 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18202 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18203 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18204 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18205 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18240 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18241 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18242 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18243 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18244 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18245 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18248 - No category provided for this new product
SKIPPED! - Model: 18249 - No category provided for this new product

please let me know what im doing wrong thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dashizna

how do you import items and have easy populate 4 make the categories for them. it trys to import them and it says

SKIPPED! - Model: 18249 - No category provided for this new product

please let me know what im doing wrong thanks

---

Hi Dashizna,

You should read the first posts in this thread for more detailed info, but you must provide a category name in the v_categories_name_1 column.

This error means you left it blank.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chadderuski

Hi Dashizna,

You should read the first posts in this thread for more detailed info, but you must provide a category name in the v_categories_name_1 column.

This error means you left it blank.

---

haha my bad helps when you have the head line there when you upload the file.

I have a site running Zencart 1.5.0, I had easypopulate 1.2.5.4 working on it, We wanted some newer features so I installed EP 1.5. Once I got EP 1.5 installed I tried an import and it acted like it ran but was running on a blank file. I tried installing EP 4 and have the same results. When I rolled EP 1.5 back to 1.2.5.4 it just loads a blank page once you click the insert to db button so I went back to 1.5 and 4. I was thinking that I had something wrong import file wise but I created products manually, ran an export with EP 4, deleted the products and imported the same unedited file and had the same results, nothing done and no products created. With both EP 1.5 and EP 4 they have no trouble uploading the file, they just don't import it. I have tried setting the temp folder to 700, 755 and 777 with no change. I am sure I messed up something with the EP 1.5 install, does anyone have an idea what direction I should be looking.

EP 1.5 results
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/Other/Misc...10-20-at-M.jpg

EP 4 results
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/Other/Misc...10-20-at-M.jpg

Thanks, James.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamesjweg

I have a site running Zencart 1.5.0, I had easypopulate 1.2.5.4 working on it, We wanted some newer features so I installed EP 1.5. Once I got EP 1.5 installed I tried an import and it acted like it ran but was running on a blank file. I tried installing EP 4 and have the same results. When I rolled EP 1.5 back to 1.2.5.4 it just loads a blank page once you click the insert to db button so I went back to 1.5 and 4. I was thinking that I had something wrong import file wise but I created products manually, ran an export with EP 4, deleted the products and imported the same unedited file and had the same results, nothing done and no products created. With both EP 1.5 and EP 4 they have no trouble uploading the file, they just don't import it. I have tried setting the temp folder to 700, 755 and 777 with no change. I am sure I messed up something with the EP 1.5 install, does anyone have an idea what direction I should be looking.

---

As my brother once said, RTFM! :smile:

You have to name the file "Full-EPxxxxxx.csv" or "Attrib-EPxxxx.csv" etc for it to be read to the correct db....

The problem with 1.2.5.4 appears to have been a bad configuration_group_id number in mysql. I manually (via phpmyadmin) pulled ALL of it's entries out of mysql, reinstalled and it works. As for EP 4, I went back and looked at my sample export and realized that the products_model value was missing from the export, it was simply "" but EP did not show an error. When I recreate that now EP 4 reports "No model field in record. This line was not imported" as it should, I have no idea why it was not saying that this morning. This morning it was just reporting like I showed in those screen shots. Ignore my brother's smart-@$$ reply about the file names, I just grabbed the first screen shot I came to when I was posting. Here is one with a correctly named file that was doing the same thing.

http://pics.jamesjweg.com/Other/Misc...10-20-at-M.jpg

I think my other problems with EP 4 might have been due to ignoring the warnings about excel, avoid Micro$ucks, in that case his RTFM comment is valid.

Thanks, James.

On the Admin/tools/ep4 you need to scroll down and find your .csv file and then click on the Import link.

After uploading a new .csv file for some new products I noticed that the metatag symbol on the applicable category pages are still black and not orange (no metatag data).

I've made sure that the v_metatags_products_name_status, v_metatags_title_status, v_metatags_model_status, v_metatags_title_tagline_status fields are all marked as "1".

What am I missing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamesjweg

I think my other problems with EP 4 might have been due to ignoring the warnings about excel, avoid Micro$ucks, in that case his RTFM comment is valid.

Thanks, James.

---

James,

The big problem with Microsoft Excel is that the different versions 2000 through 2010 all handle csv export "their own way" and on top of that, platforms (win vs mac)
are also different. Also, MS won't let you specify your source data's encoding (say from some supplier) that may be in iso8859-1 but you then need to convert and export as UTF8. Open Office will do this. Open Office will also properly encapsulate your data, not just what it thinks you want encapsulted.

Another stickler is that I am use php's fgetcsv() to read data, and IT has it's own issues... especially when dealing with UTF8 multi-byte languages.

-chadd

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Serious

After uploading a new .csv file for some new products I noticed that the metatag symbol on the applicable category pages are still black and not orange (no metatag data).

I've made sure that the v_metatags_products_name_status, v_metatags_title_status, v_metatags_model_status, v_metatags_title_tagline_status fields are all marked as "1".

What am I missing?

---

The very best way to ensure that your are creating your metatags correctly is to first complete one properly through the admin, and then export that product. This will help you see the correct mapping.

-chadd

If I upload a bunch of random Skus that are not linked to anything via the easypopulate to save time..will it just kick those out as not identified? I have about 23k different skus and am trying to find an easy way to update without doing a lot of excel work. lets say that i am off by about 100-200 products that are not on my site or in zencart what will it do with those skus once i import?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VBE-1

If I upload a bunch of random Skus that are not linked to anything via the easypopulate to save time..will it just kick those out as not identified?

---

"It depends," on whether you do something else that kicks an error - for example, not having a model number. If you have a model number and it matches an item, I assume it will update the sku; if it does not match a model number, it will probably add them as new items.

has there been any update to Easy Populate 4.0.19 - Beta 1-28-2012 for uploading attributes ? I have a ton of attributes to put on but can't see a way to do it, over 27.000 attributes is frightning !!!

sorry for my english......I'm Italian

1) I installed chaddro-EasyPopulate-4.0-f4314dc.zip on zencart 1.3.9h (OK)
2) I click on Easy Populate 4.0.22 - Beta 6-10-2012 export (OK)
3) my file is:Full-EP2012ott31-105642.csv
"9798848501704","1","medium/9798848501704.JPG","LONGO A. RACCOLTA DI STUDI","LONGO A. RACCOLTA DI STUDI FASC. 1 2591EC. CZERNYANA","","","","","","","","9.9","0","0","0","1","1","0","0","0200-00-00 09:00:00","0200-00-00 09:00:00","0","","LIBRI^PIANOFORTI ACUSTICI","","-- nessuno --","1","0","0","0","0","0","","","","","",""
"9788876651588","1","medium/9788876651588.JPG","BASTIEN TEORIA LIVELLO PREPARATORIO","BASTIEN TEORIA LIVELLO PREPARATORIO","","","","","","","","9.5","1","0","0","1","1","0","0","0200-00-00 09:00:00","0200-00-00 09:00:00","5","","LIBRI^TEORIA MUSICALE","","-- nessuno --","1","0","0","0","0","0","","","","","",""


4) This file has only two articles.

5) I delete the two articles on the site.

6) I click import the file: Full-EP2012ott31-105642.csv

7) does not load items

8) the error message is:

Import Results


Filename: Full-EP2012ott31-105642.csv

Error: Unbalanced Categories defined in:
Error: Unbalanced Categories defined in:

Finished Processing Import File


Updated records: 0
New Imported records: 0
Errors Detected: 2
Warnings Detected: 0
Memory Usage: 2550776
Memory Peak: 2575288
Execution Time: 0.0072128772735596 seconds.



9) Help for me please

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sash

has there been any update to Easy Populate 4.0.19 - Beta 1-28-2012 for uploading attributes ? I have a ton of attributes to put on but can't see a way to do it, over 27.000 attributes is frightning !!!

---

Download latest here:

https://github.com/chaddro/EasyPopulate-4.0

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pripros

sorry for my english......I'm Italian

1) I installed chaddro-EasyPopulate-4.0-f4314dc.zip on zencart 1.3.9h (OK)
2) I click on Easy Populate 4.0.22 - Beta 6-10-2012 export (OK)
3) my file is:Full-EP2012ott31-105642.csv
"9798848501704","1","medium/9798848501704.JPG","LONGO A. RACCOLTA DI STUDI","LONGO A. RACCOLTA DI STUDI FASC. 1 2591EC. CZERNYANA","","","","","","","","9.9","0","0","0","1","1","0","0","0200-00-00 09:00:00","0200-00-00 09:00:00","0","","LIBRI^PIANOFORTI ACUSTICI","","-- nessuno --","1","0","0","0","0","0","","","","","",""
"9788876651588","1","medium/9788876651588.JPG","BASTIEN TEORIA LIVELLO PREPARATORIO","BASTIEN TEORIA LIVELLO PREPARATORIO","","","","","","","","9.5","1","0","0","1","1","0","0","0200-00-00 09:00:00","0200-00-00 09:00:00","5","","LIBRI^TEORIA MUSICALE","","-- nessuno --","1","0","0","0","0","0","","","","","",""

---

Pripros:

Attached your ACTUAL CSV file. You may have to zip it first to be able to attach it. I have a feeling you have your site with multiple languages.

If this is so, when you are on the Easy Populate 4 tools page, what is the information on the right of the screen giving your for your languages, default languages?

Did you follow the instructions and FIRST create a product in the admin normally, then export it? This will give your heading and file structure.

The error you receive means that your did not define the same category tree for BOTH installed languages:

v_categories_names_1 : "My Top Level^Level Two"
v_categories_names_2 : "My Top Level^Level Two" (in some other language)


-chadd

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chadderuski

Pripros:

Attached your ACTUAL CSV file. You may have to zip it first to be able to attach it. I have a feeling you have your site with multiple languages.

If this is so, when you are on the Easy Populate 4 tools page, what is the information on the right of the screen giving your for your languages, default languages?

Did you follow the instructions and FIRST create a product in the admin normally, then export it? This will give your heading and file structure.

The error you receive means that your did not define the same category tree for BOTH installed languages:

v_categories_names_1 : "My Top Level^Level Two"
v_categories_names_2 : "My Top Level^Level Two" (in some other language)


-chadd

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chadderuski

Pripros:

Attached your ACTUAL CSV file. You may have to zip it first to be able to attach it. I have a feeling you have your site with multiple languages.

If this is so, when you are on the Easy Populate 4 tools page, what is the information on the right of the screen giving your for your languages, default languages?

Did you follow the instructions and FIRST create a product in the admin normally, then export it? This will give your heading and file structure.

The error you receive means that your did not define the same category tree for BOTH installed languages:

v_categories_names_1 : "My Top Level^Level Two"
v_categories_names_2 : "My Top Level^Level Two" (in some other language)


-chadd

---

hello chadderuski

I fixed the problem ;) thanks!

now I have another problem, sorry...

if my text is one of these characters: è ò, ù, à, ì i truncates the text that comes after, how to fix this?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pripros

hello chadderuski

I fixed the problem ;) thanks!

now I have another problem, sorry...

if my text is one of these characters: è ò, ù, à, ì i truncates the text that comes after, how to fix this?

---

Hi Pripros!

Could you send me a PM? We'll need to work on that off line.

-chadd

So, once again I get to embarrass myself publicly. Turns out the solution to my problem was an un-terminated html comment. Good grief. I didn't see it in the field while inside LibreOffice and only found it once I inspected the text. Good grief.

My life continues to be a cautionary tale. :-P

Hi chadderuski

I have a large Easy populate Advance File and its about 43 mb in size. I installed your easy populate, I loaded my file in open office calc and saved it as a .CSV file and renamed it CategoryMeta-EP.csv.

Inside easy populate page section within admin panel I click browse and then click Upload. It takes a while but then the page blinks and nothing.

You think the file is too big?

Will you do this for me for a fee?

Thanks

Site is v1.5
Using latest version of EasyPopulate 4
Using OpenOffice
csv comma separated and " text delimiter
Meta tags import not working.
Is there something special that needs to be done?

Thanks,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by charmedbytina2

Meta tags import not working.
Is there something special that needs to be done?

---

I just added a few days ago, and had no problem. Did you add a few in admin and export to see how they looked?

I have a problem with GST and this mod. The rate of our GST is 10%
An export from easy populate will show prices excluding gst.
When I import these prices I get extra cents showing up on some products because theres some rounding off going on somewhere.

Eg price inc gst of an item is $15
The price that gets exported is $13.64, thats excl gst which is incorrect
15/1.1 is actually 13.636363

When I import this product, I get $13.64 + 10% = $15.004.

Now this might have been a bad example, as $15.004 should be ok, but some come out with an extra cent, anf the gross price will show something like $19.01 when it should be $19

How do I overcome this?
Site is 1.39h using latest version of the mod.

I'm just lost. Looking for somebody that can do this for me for a fee. I have Easy Populate Advanced 3.0.3 and exported cats meta, well, everything. Had issues with my database and site, long story. Now have a fresh install and Easy Populate Advanced 3.0.3 isn't working on the new site with Zen Cart 1.50. SO..... I uploaded Easy Populate 4.0 Chads, appears to be working or at least the menu is there unlike my Advance which I paid 3.0.3. If this thing one saves my bacon I'd be glad to pay for it

I have no idea what to do to get back my store and I need help please.

Any ideas?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VideoStan

I just added a few days ago, and had no problem. Did you add a few in admin and export to see how they looked?

---

I did add some meta tags in the admin, created the file - they were there. When I added one as a test and did the upload - nothing.
Thanks.
Tina

Question, all my copyright and single quote characters get converted to the "?" in the black diamond symbol. I have tried every setting in the configuration and nothing works to correct this.

I am running EP 4.22... What to do now?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jatty

all my copyright and single quote characters get converted to the "?" in the black diamond symbol

---

Try using html escape character codes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kobra

Try using html escape character codes

---

Thanks Cobra,

I tried that and error said "file upload complete with issues"

Please excuse my lack of experience, I am new to ZenCart. I have downloaded EasyPopulate, under my site structure folders, I have a folder called ZenCart Admin - is this the Admin folder you are referencing? Do I change the EasyPopulate Admin folder to ZenCart Admin? As I am using ZenCart 1.5, I understand I upload the additional files, do I upload them to the like folders, such as take the content of the EasyPopulate 1.5 folder titled Includes and place them into the ZenCart Admin Includes folder? I apologize for my confusion, but would greatly appreciate the help. Thank you!

I figured it out - just took a lack of sleep to overcome the brain "noise". LOVE the program!

Need help on another Easy Populate challenge with images. My client has over 200 images that are presently only available via Hyperlink, is there a specific format to input the Image URL into the CSV file so that EasyPopulate/Zen Cart will also pull the images. Thank you in advance!! :lookaroun

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by charmedbytina2

I did add some meta tags in the admin, created the file - they were there. When I added one as a test and did the upload - nothing.
Thanks.
Tina

---

Hi Tina,
Do you have Meta Tags enabled in the Configure -> Easy Populate 4 settings? If set to false, it will ignore those columns.

If it still isn't working, zip your csv file and attach so we can look at it.

-chadd

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by acrenshaw

Need help on another Easy Populate challenge with images. My client has over 200 images that are presently only available via Hyperlink, is there a specific format to input the Image URL into the CSV file so that EasyPopulate/Zen Cart will also pull the images. Thank you in advance!! :lookaroun

---

Hmmm..... this would require a coding change I think to the import code since images are assumed to be under the /images folder....

When you say "pull" the image, you do mean just load the image from the remote location, correct?

-chadd