Variation

The data format Variation is used to export, edit and import variation data. Create and export the data format in the Data » Dynamic export menu. Import the data format in the Data » Dynamic import menu. The Exporting data and Importing data pages of the manual describe how you export and import the data format.

Pay close attention to the exact spelling of the data fields. The data cannot be processed if the data fields are spelled incorrectly.

1. Important notes

Each variation is given a number (ID) and as such is also uniquely defined by the data field VariationID. The following three scenarios could occur for the export and import:

If the field VariationID is neither exported along with the export of variation fields nor imported later on, then new variations will be created with available variation IDs.
If the data record VariationID is exported and later imported again, then changes will be made to the corresponding variations.
If variation data is imported with variation IDs that do not yet exist in plentymarkets, then new variations will be created with these variation IDs.

If the import procedure Synchronisation is selected in the data export settings, then the variation data will be synchronised during the import.

2. The 1:n problem

The 1:n problem, i.e. one to n, occurs when several characteristics were defined for one variation. The following characteristics can be allocated to a variation multiple times in plentymarkets:

Sales prices

Every sales price is uniquely defined by the field SalesPriceID. If this ID is not specified, then a new sales price will always be added and the existing prices will be deleted. If available, the existing price will be changed.

Categories

One variation can be available in multiple categories at the same time. However, if category data fields (CategoryLevel) were entered during the import, then all of the previous category links for this variation will be deleted.

Use the data format Category for new categories

It is not possible to use the data format Variation for creating new categories. With the data format Variation, you can only create new category links within the variation. Use the data format Category instead to create new categories.

Item images

This data format allows you to import external images with the help of URLs. Existing item images will be replaced in the process. If multiple item images are imported, then these item images have to be separated by a comma without spaces when they are entered. If you do not want to replace the existing images, then import the images via FTP upload.

3. Overview of the data fields

Table 1 explains the data fields for the Variation data format in alphabetical order as well as filter options that you set in the Filter tab of the data format.

Table 1. Data fields of the data format **Variation**
Field name	Explanation	Filter
Active	Active variations N = No Y = Yes
AttributeValueSetID	Internal ID; determines the variation type *Example*: ID 1 = colour red, size XL; ID 2 = colour green, size XL.
AutoStockInvisible	Automatically invisible in the online store. Set online store to 0 if no stock is available. N = No Y = Yes
AutoStockNoStockIcon	The variation’s availability icon N = Has to be deactivated manually Y = Hide when there is no net stock
AutoStockPositiveStockIcon	The variation’s availability icon N = Has to be activated manually Y = Display when the net stock is positive
AutoStockVisible	Automatically visible in the online store. Set store to 1 if the stock is available. N = No Y = Yes
Availability	Availability of the variation
AvailableUntil	Available until The setting is found under Item » Edit item » Open item » Open variation » Tab: Settings in the Availability area.
CreatedTimestamp	Date and time when the variation was created. Format: dd.mm.yyyy hh:mm *Note*: The field is only available for the export.
VariationNumber	Variation number	Activate the filter, select the operator and enter the value.
CustomsPercent	Percentage of the customs duties
DeleteVariation	1 = Deletes the variation Deletes the variation when the value 1 is entered. *Note:* Main variations cannot be deleted.
EstimatedAvailability	Availability in supply
ExternalID	External variation ID	Activate the filter, select the operator and enter the value.
ExtraShippingCharge1	Extra shipping charge 1
ExtraShippingCharge2	Extra shipping charge 2
HeightMM	Height in mm
IntervalOrderQuantity	Interval order quantity
isHiddenInCategoryList	Y = Variation is not visible in item list N = Variation is visible in item list
ItemID	Unique item ID; maximum numerical value 2^31	Activate the filter, select the operator and enter the value.
LastUpdateTimestamp	Last change, date and time. Format: dd.mm.yyyy hh:mm
LengthMM	Length in mm
LimitOrderByStockSelect	Limit variation to stock 0 = No limitation 1 = Limited to net stock 2 = Do not administer stock for this variation
MainWarehouse	The main warehouse’s ID reference number. The setting is found under Item » Edit item » Open item » Open variation » Tab: Settings in the Shipping area.
MaximumOrderQuantity	Maximum order quantity for one order The value 0 is selected by default; with the value 0, the maximum order quantity is unlimited.
MinimumOrderQuantity	Minimu order quantity per order
Model	Model name
OperatingCostsPercent	Percentage of the entire operating costs
PackingUnitType	Type of packaging for packing units
PackingUnits	Packing units; numerical value
Picking	Order picking
Position	This position number is used to sort the variation within the variation list in the online store.
PriceCalculationID	ID of the calculated price; decimal value
PurchasePrice	Purchase price (net)
ReleaseDate	Release date, format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
StorageCosts	Storage costs
TransportationCosts	Transportation costs
UnitID	ID of the unit; ID lists are found in the menu System » System settings » Item » Units.
UnitContent	Quantity contained within the unit
UnitLoadDevice	Pallet type
UnitsContained	Units contained
VATID	ID of the VAT rate
VariationID	Variation ID	Activate the filter, select the operator and enter the value.
VariationName	Name of the variation
VariationAttributes	List of the attributes that are linked to the variation; ID list can be found in the menu System » System settings » Item » Attributes
WeightG	The gross weight (with packaging) in grams; numerical value
WeightNetG	The net weight (without packaging) in grams; numerical value
WidthMM	Width in mm

4. Overview of the synchronisation fields

The data fields that are listed in table 2 are available for data synchronisation. These data fields are compulsory synchronisation fields. At least one of the data fields from the following table must be selected for synchronisation. For the selected data field, select the option Synchronisation as Import procedure.

Table 2. Data fields with the import procedure set to **Synchronisation**
Field name	Explanation
VariationNumber	Variation number
ExternalID	External variation ID
VariationID	Variation ID

Field VariationID

The field VariationID is usually a mandatory synchronisation field. However, this field does not necessarily have to be used for this data format. You can use any of the fields listed. One field is sufficient for the synchronisation.