transfering categories, products, and attributes from one zen cart to another

I apologize if this has already been asked on the forum. I have searched for hours without finding an answer I can understand.

I sell downloadable products. I want to transfer my categories, products, and their attributes from my old zen cart website to my new zencart website. It would take a long time to re-list and re-upload each product individually. I have already created the template for my new site, I just need to add my categories, products, and attributes.

Is there a way to do this on my own without buying expensive software?

TIA

You can do this by exporting the relevant tables and their data, from the database, then "importing" it into your new database.

If you are with a decent host, you will have access to a feature called "phpMyAdmin".

This very useful tool allows you to get into the database directly, and perfom a host of admin and management functions... but...

... it's risky fooling about with phpMyAdmin if you don't know what you are doing.

Essentially, you would "export" the product tables (including the associated attributes tables) with all their associated data. It should be reasonably obvious what tables are involved.

You "capture" the exported sql code and (as I do) "paste" it into a plain text editor (notepad++).

Then, you use this sql to populate the tables in your new database. Principally you would use just the "insert into" lines, but if the table structure and names are identical in your second database, you may choose to first "drop" the table (if it exists) then "create" it again before running the "insert into" lines.

A few hours of "sql tutorials" will soon get you up to speed though, and my advice as always is:-

1. BACKUP your live database before you tinker with it in any shape or form.

2. Use a "test" installation of ZC to do the "import" function, and when you are certain that it all works on the "test" site, try it on your new live site. (but be sure to make a backup before you go in with the chainsaws... :D

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I am downloading phpMyAdmin since I am not seeing it in available my cpanel. I do already have MySql. I am also currently running a backup. I think once I can locate the files and figure out how to export them I will be well on my way.

For those reading this thread - phpMyAdmin has been included in CPanel since I've been using it. If it isn't there (under 'Databases') talk to your host.