Almost every Magento 2 user wanted to improve its performance. Many try to do something with the code themselves, but it is difficult and sometimes you need to hire coders. Others go for help to various third-party programs or extensions. One of them we will touch today. Meet Firebear’s Magento 2 Import Export Extension module.
Today, we are going to explore Magento 2 Improved Import & Export Extension by Firebear Studio.
Download / Buy Firebear Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension
Manually inspecting the extension reveals that Improved Import Export provides several additional functionalities to both sides of data migration: import and export. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the size of your online business.
The expansion is ideal for both tiny local enterprises and large e-commerce behemoths. Improving Import Export automates many backend procedures and lets you link your business to any third-party platform, marketplace, shopping engine, and so on.
The main concept of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension is built on import and export jobs, which are completely automated procedures that run on a set schedule using cron. This feature allows for nearly limitless automation possibilities: you just need to configure the module once, and it will do all routine operations automatically when scheduled.
You can also start work asynchronously if the information is needed beyond the deadline.
The video below demonstrates the extension’s basic capabilities, and below that, we continue our adventure under the hood of the Improved Magento 2 Import Export extension by Firebear.
Supported Formats
The inclusion of new file types compatible with the extension highlights how the module is evolving to meet the needs of Magento shops.
It could only import CSV files at first, but it now supports the flexible XML and frequently used TXT formats as well.
It’s worth mentioning that the Firebear Improved Magento 2 Import Export Extension addon gives you access to two new types of import files. Support for native Excel files is expected to be added shortly, and the ability to import from Google Sheets has already been introduced.
The three aforementioned forms are depicted in the following image:
The image above depicts import file types, but you can easily utilize the same formats for export. You just need to select one that is required for subsequent data processing. As previously stated, both export and import are dependent on tasks of import/export profiles, thus they must be created before any procedures are executed.
Because the module includes a vast variety of premade schedules, there is no need to learn cron syntax, making the extension incredibly user-friendly. However, the Improved Magento 2 Import Export Extension allows you to create whatever custom schedule you want using regular cron logic.
As previously stated, any profile may be launched manually, but you can disregard the schedule to establish a new task that can only be executed manually. There are two methods for manually starting a task. To begin with, you can manage all of these frightening panels and instructions to execute the profile through CLI. If you are not a computer whiz, you will appreciate the ability to begin import/export straight in the Magento 2 admin.
There are two grids where all jobs are gathered: one with import profiles and another one with export profiles. Both sections support inline cron editing so that you can change the existing schedule right in the grid, as shown below:
Import And Export Sources
The range of import and export sources is also one of the significant competitive advantages of Firebear’s Improved Magento 2 Import Export extension. For starters, it allows you to transfer both data files and photos to and from your server. Second, a remote FTP/SFTP server is also supported. Third, you may utilize a Dropbox account as an import/export source. If these sources aren’t sufficient, we have some excellent news. The extension supports direct URL uploads, and if you want more, you may use direct uploads directly in your browser.
In case of significant volumes of data, imported files may be uploaded right in in zip or tar archives. The extension will unpack them automatically. The following picture illustrates supported import sources:
Magento 2 Google Sheet Import
Yes, our plugin is compatible with the most recent Google Sheets version. You may also combine them.
Since it combines a new import format and an original import source, we’ve decided to describe it separately. The process is based on the usage of the Master Import Table for Magento 2 which is a simple Google Sheet. You can quickly copy the table to Google Drive, export it as a CSV, modify it in a browser, share it with suppliers and partners, and schedule tasks to transfer data from the table. This feature’s functionality is clearly detailed in the video below:
Supported Entities
We should also add a few things regarding supported entities further down.
Unfortunately, import and export tasks do not support all existing Magento 2 entities; nonetheless, the Magento 2 Improved Import Export extension fulfills all fundamental data transfer requirements. More entities are scheduled to be introduced in the near future; present capabilities are listed below.
The module utilizes only the default Magento 2 import entities that are available under System -> Data Transfer -> Import. The Firebear Improved Import Export extension supports the import of Products; Customers and Addresses (single file); Customers Main File; Customer Addresses; and Advanced Pricing. It is also possible to import categories to your Magento 2 store.
In case of export, orders with invoices and credit memos are fully supported. The following image illustrates them all.
Also, note that the extension works with all products: all product types are supported, so you can efficiently work with simple, configurable, downloadable, group, bundle, and virtual products.
History
All import and export runs are described in the Improved Import Export addon. There is expanded import and export debugging, which includes extensive logging by SKU, time of import, and other information. By selecting the correct job, you may obtain the necessary information. Then, as seen below, enter the history tab and download a log file from the relevant column.
This will enable you to thoroughly evaluate your data and compare the outcomes of your activities and sales. This is a really useful tool.
Import/Export Mapping
These were critical features of the Magento 2 extension’s Improved Import/Export capabilities. They appear promising, but we have something much more fascinating. Meet the module’s mapping functionality. Because the default Magento 2 import interface has specific file structure requirements, you must update all custom files you move to your shop.
To make this procedure easier, the Firebear team created a user-friendly mapping interface that can be used for both import and export.
As a consequence, you may match default Magento 2 attributes to custom ones, generating import files that meet the e-commerce platform’s tight system requirements and export data that is entirely compatible with a third-party platform that demands it.
In addition to the basic mapping capability, the Magento 2 Improved Import & Export extension allows you to simplify hardcoded data. They are static values that are automatically assigned to each item in the attribute column and are also known as default values. Only the default value has to be specified, and the extension will add it to the relevant column in front of each item.
Although mapping works the same for import and export, export profiles have certain special characteristics that make subsequent data processing easier. It is not necessary to export every piece of data. You can, in fact, limit the number of exported objects and attributes. To do this, the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension provides filters. Use them to construct one-of-a-kind criteria that limit the number of exported objects.
The use of filters in conjunction with mapping allows you to build a flawless export file that contains just the relevant product data and depicts it in complete compliance with platform standards.
It is quite simple to create a new filter. You simply need to choose an entity type, define a field that will be used as a filter basis, and supply filter settings that will change depending on the region chosen. The filter below will limit the exported data to orders with entity IDs ranging from 3 to 5.
As for import-related improvements, they are described further in this post. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension quickly solves the problem of non-existing product attributes and their values. The module creates them during the import process on the fly. Thus, if an attribute or a value doesn’t exist in you Magento 2 database, you don’t need to create it manually. All the necessary improvements are done automatically, so don’t forget to turn on the corresponding option.
It is also required to speak briefly about presets. Firebear’s Improved Import & Export addon allows you to eliminate backend mapping routines. Although the mapping interface is simple, there is an even easier approach to migrating custom data files to Magento 2.
Presets are supported by the add-on. It now only supports the Magento 1 setup, which greatly facilitates the transition from your old shop to the new one constructed with Magento 2. WooCommerce, Shopify, and more prominent platform presets will be available in the next releases.
Upload the import file, select the preset, and the extension will automatically generate the appropriate mapping scheme. And it’s done.
Vote for New Features
Also, right now we have voting for new features on our site. By passing it you can vote for new features that you would like to see in the new version of this plugin.
You can vote here.
Also, you can propose the functionality that is missing exactly for you.
Final Words
At the end of our voyage, we’d want to call your attention to some important extension facts and discuss a few application scenarios. The Improved Import & Export extension is completely open source and built using Magento 2 best practices.
The Firebear team comprises Certified Magento Developers that are always ready to add unique functionality to the module and put your wildest ideas into action. Contact the support staff to discuss your requirements, and you will receive a one-of-a-kind import/export solution that meets all of your e-commerce demands.
Examine the official extension documentation to fully comprehend the supplied features and capabilities, and consult the roadmap to see what additional enhancements will be introduced shortly. All the updates will be added to the extension for free if you buy it right now: the Firebear company offers one year of free updates and support!
There are various additional uses. You may utilize your ideas to streamline your daily routine by using Firebear’s Improved Import Export. Because the extension’s potential is so vast, you don’t have to limit its use to the scenarios indicated above. For further information, click on the link below:
Download / Buy Firebear Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension
