Importing orders
Save time by importing orders in bulk into your Print Trail account, via CSV or XLSX files.
💡 Tip: Try importing just one or two orders first, before attempting to import many orders. This will help you to learn the process and reduce import errors.
Step-by-step instructions
First, a few things to be aware of before you start:
- Each row in the import is one order line (i.e. each product in the order is one row).
- All column headers must be present in the file you upload (column headers are the first row in the template). Not all data needs to be completed (see step 2, below).
- You get a chance to preview how the orders will be imported and rectify any errors, before you confirm.
Step 1. Download our orders template file
- Download our order CSV (Comma Separated Values) template file from Orders > Import to prepare your order data.
Step 2. Copy your order lines into the template
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Export your orders from your e-commerce system as one order line per row. For example, a single order with two products should be represented by two rows in your CSV, each with the same order number.
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Using a spreadsheet editor such as Google Sheets, Open Office, or Excel, copy and paste your order lines into the Print Trail template.
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Do not change the column headings provided in the template. These need to be unchanged for the import to work in the next step. Make sure the data you copy matches the column headings provided in the template.
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As a minimum, you must provide at least the following data on each row (each order line):
order_numberskuorisbnquantityshipping(eitherstandardorexpress)countryaddress1phoneoremail
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Check your data, and save as a CSV or XLSX.
⚠️ Warning: Look out for spreadsheet software altering your order numbers and phone numbers, especially data beginning with a zero or a plus sign. You may need to format the cells as plain text before saving as a CSV.
Step 3. Import and preview
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Go to Orders > Import.
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Select a channel (this is optional, the ‘Standard’ channel will be used by default).
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Click the file field and browse to your import file.
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Click the ‘Upload and Preview’ button.
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You will be taken to the import ‘Preview’ page. Nothing has been imported at this stage. Here you can preview the import and check details before confirming the import.
- Problem orders will be shown in red. These can’t be imported but you have the option to download any problem order lines so that you can fix the data and start the import again.
- Warning orders will be shown in orange. These can be imported but there may be issues (click on each for details).
- New orders that can be imported will be shown in green.
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Choose one of the following options:
- ‘Import and process’ – Print Trail will import the valid orders and begin processing
- ‘Import as Draft’ – the valid orders will be imported in draft mode
- ‘Cancel’
👉 Tip: Use ‘Import as draft’ if you want to check the order and fulfilment details prior to processing – e.g. if you want to confirm or edit the shipping method.
Step 4. Check the import results
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When you choose either ‘Import and process’ or ‘Import as Draft’ on the Preview step, you’ll progress to the Results step which updates in real time as your orders are imported.
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Results will be split into up to three sections:
- Problem orders (red): These orders were not imported. Click on each to see the reasons why.
- New orders (green): These orders were imported. If any issues were detected with an order, an orange warning triangle and message will appear next to it in the list.
👉 Tip: On the ‘Preview’ and ‘Results’ steps, look out for orders which are highlighted in orange or red. Click on each order row to see a message which gives more detail.