How to copy products without linking?

[Haggis]

I hope I've not missed something but despite trying all the options I just can't find a way to copy all products from eg category A to category B without having them linked.

Or alternatively, how to remove the linked effect without deleting the product.

[gilby]

I hope I've not missed something but despite trying all the options I just can't find a way to copy all products from eg category A to category B without having them linked.

Or alternatively, how to remove the linked effect without deleting the product.

You could try this...
Copy Categories


more info here...
https://www.zen-cart.com/showthread....Categories-1-6

[Haggis]

Do you know if there is anyway to do that without using addons, I dont know enough to fix things if it went wrong

[kobra]

I just can't find a way to copy all products from eg category A to category B without having them linked.

There is no facility builtin to copy a complete category - one can only copy individual products

how to remove the linked effect without deleting the product.

You must know what the original product that was linked is
You can see from the drop box next to "Product Master Category:" which/where the links are just not which is the original
I take that back - if you select "delete" on a linked product the master category is in red just do not pick this

After you have deleted the linked product you can "copy" it without a link to another category by selecting "Duplicate product" instead of "link product"

[Haggis]

Hi Kobra,

You always seem to be around to answer questions, cheers .

So it seems I wasn't missing anything afterall, you can only copy/duplicate individual products one at a time, unless you want them linked.

Seems all the things I want to make life easier for myself and the customer require external addons.

I guess I could export my excel to html and then convert from html to php with a couple of tools but I wouldn't have a clue how to check the final coding for errors nor how to trim it down to a simpler file. Those kind of tools always generate bloated scripts. Then hope someone here would know how to add it into zencart.

Currently I just use css but its getting a bit unweildly/overbloated and thought if I'm going to be adding more products it was time to go for a purpose built cart. I don't have time to learn a new script like php and don't make enough to justify paying a pro to do it for me. So looks like it will be a few months before I can switch over fully to use zencart.

[mc12345678]

Forgive me but that sounds like a lot of excuses... There is already code written to accomplish a desired task two or three different ways. Further, there is likely always going to be some need for a plugin or code modification to get things to look/act exactly like you want. Thing is how easy it is with ZC to make desired changes.

I thought I posted about the possibility of using EasyPopulate v4 as an additional tool, but it's been a long week. Anyways, there are options to populate/cross populate product.

[swguy]

Do you know if there is anyway to do that without using addons, I dont know enough to fix things if it went wrong

If there was a way to do this without addons, there wouldn't be an addon. :)

Create a local copy of your site on your own computer and install this mod. These are basic skills you'll need to develop unless you outsource all of the care of your website to a specialist.

[Haggis]

Forgive me but that sounds like a lot of excuses...

You're probably right

Thing is how easy it is with ZC to make desired changes.

Everything is easy when you know how. However for me, I've already spent too much of my life learning new things & not enough experiencing life. It's why I now earn less than a 10th of what I used to but I actually have a life outside of work.

I thought I posted about the possibility of using EasyPopulate v4 as an additional tool, but it's been a long week.

You did & I appreciated it but put it this way, I've never used php/mysql before so you probably won't be surprised it took me over 30mins just to find where to change the page title. So the thought of adding in something to what is totally new to me ZenCart wasn't my first option. My fault of course because I just assumed the function would be in there somewhere, just thought I was too blind to see it.

[mc12345678]

You're probably right

Everything is easy when you know how. However for me, I've already spent too much of my life learning new things & not enough experiencing life. It's why I now earn less than a 10th of what I used to but I actually have a life outside of work.

You did & I appreciated it but put it this way, I've never used php/mysql before so you probably won't be surprised it took me over 30mins just to find where to change the page title. So the thought of adding in something to what is totally new to me ZenCart wasn't my first option. My fault of course because I just assumed the function would be in there somewhere, just thought I was too blind to see it.

Well, I would think (hope?) that the other tool is self-standing and does not require merging with other code, considering what functionality it adds though it could also be such that it is added to various files on the admin, merging, yes that will require at least seeing the code, following, directions, and as necessary posting a question at the applicable form thread. EP4 (and perhaps a few others), doesn't overwrite any code of the ZC system, it doesn't require any knowledge of SQL and works from a CSV. Yes there are some base "requirements", like dates in the CSV need to be formatted in a YYYY-MM-DD sequence so if you use something like Excel, you'll have to do a little rearranging of default/column settings. The text as read by EP4 should be quoted with the double quote "" with a comma separating each field in a row of data. The program now supports the ability to use straight products_id's but it is still suggested to use a unique model# instead for each product (even if that model# is the products_id), anyways, no code nor sql knowledge necessary. Does help to understand database operations like that a primary key represents a unique entry, each table that is supported for import and is accessed/used by EP4 uses/provides a piece of information associated with the primary key and the primary key itself. If the same primary key is listed more than once in the file, then the data from the row furthest to the bottom will populate all of the fields associated with that primary key with the "newest" data and if an identified category doesn't yet have that product related to it will be linked (which is part of what you are trying to eliminate). Currently unlinking product with EP4 requires a little careful planning as there is no "remove link" action yet identified.

Anyways, sorry got into a bunch of techno speak... Point is, yes have to use one's noodle a little to understand, but the instructions provide the basic requirements, and the rest pretty much is like using the admin screen. Other plugins, they were built to meet the requirements posed and possibly to take the ability further into being more of a central part of the program rather than just a menu option. But regardless, run into issues, post to the applicable location, more than likely someone will be by to help out. Just ask that whenever trying to identify an issue, address the items of the posting tips. Gives a good, no great, starting point to identify how to reproduce the issue.

[kobra]

I dont know enough to fix things if it went wrong

I suggest that you get and install and use xamp on your local windows PC
https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html
I also suggest that you get in tune with backing up files and the database before making any alterations to either your files set and/or the database - this provides you with a fall back position in case thing go wrong

I don't have time to learn a new script like php

You sound like myself - after learning a countless number of languages I resist or do not have the time or inclination to learn another BUT knowing all these others, provides me with a fairly sound basis to read, change and follow PHP - as long as I am not attempting to rewrite any functionality

it took me over 30mins just to find where to change the page title

Most all the basics can be found in the FAQ's area - just use advanced search and check only the FAQ box
The FAQ's on this site are your friend...
I searched the FAQ's for "page title" and found this
https://www.zen-cart.com/content.php...ain_pagepage_x
If that is the title you were trying to change if not you may be referring to "tag line" or "sales message"
https://www.zen-cart.com/content.php...line-here-text

So the thought of adding in something to what is totally new to me ZenCart wasn't my first option

Nor was it mine, so many years ago now. I think that you can use the FAQ's and this forum to your advantage in getting comfortable with this cart script. I have researched several of the alternatives and find that ZenCart is the most extensible with the minimum amount of effort and for the least expense when compared to the others.

Always BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP - install only one addon at a time and TEST TEST TEST
Do this on a test site - whether this be in a folder on your hosting account or locally

You might surprise even yourself...

BTW: Welcome to the ZenCart community