Item attribute import

The item attribute import feature simplifies the process of assigning attributes to items in Business Central. Instead of manually managing attribute IDs and mappings, users can work with a simple flat table structure.

Overview

Typically, importing attributes into the system requires:

  • Using specific attribute IDs
  • Creating proper mappings to item cards
  • Understanding the complex structure required by the system

This module solves these challenges by:

  1. Accepting a simple flat table structure with ATTRIBUTE, ATTRIBUTE VALUE, and ITEM NO.
  2. Automatically creating the proper structure with attribute IDs required by the system
  3. Correctly assigning attributes to items

Supported file formats

The system supports Excel files:

  • Format: .xlsx or .xls
  • Row 1: column headers
  • Row 2 and onwards: data to import
  • Recommended encoding: UTF-8

Data structure

The file should contain the following columns:

Column Name Description Required
1 Item No. Item number to assign the attribute to Yes
2 (empty) Reserved column (skip) No
3 Attribute Name Name of the attribute (must exist in system) Yes
4 Attribute Value Value for the attribute Yes
5 (empty) Reserved column (skip) No
6 (empty) Reserved column (skip) No
7 Blocked Whether the attribute value is blocked (Yes/No) No

How to import data

You run the import from the N24C | Items Attr. List page:

Import steps:

  1. Search for the N24C | Items Attr. List page in Business Central
  2. Go to the Core Extension Setup page and use the Download Import Template action to download a sample Excel file with the correct structure
  3. Fill in your Excel file with your data
  4. Make sure attribute names already exist in the Item Attributes page in the system
  5. Select the Import attribute from Excel File action
  6. Choose your prepared Excel file
  7. The system will automatically:
    • Validate attribute names exist
    • Create new attribute values for non-Option types if needed
    • Create or update attribute mappings to items
  8. Review the import summary showing the number of inserted, modified attributes and errors

Export current data

You can export current attribute data at any time:

  1. On the N24C | Items Attr. List page, select the Export to Excel action
  2. The data will be exported with the correct structure
  3. You can modify and re-import this data as needed

Important Notes

  • Sample Template: A sample import template can be downloaded from the Core Extension Setup page
  • Attribute Names: Must be created in advance in the Item Attributes page
  • Option Attributes: For attributes of type "Option", all possible values must exist before import
  • Other Attribute Types: For Text, Integer, Decimal, and Date types, new values are created automatically during import
  • Updates: If an item already has a value for an attribute, the import will update it with the new value
  • Blocked Status: You can mark attribute values as blocked during import

Examples and Scenarios

Scenario: Mass import of attributes from a vendor's Excel file

Need: A company adds 500 new products from a vendor. The vendor sent an Excel file with technical parameters (color, material, weight, dimensions). Instead of entering attributes manually for each item, you want to import everything in one operation.

Steps:

  1. Search for the N24C | Items Attr. List page.
  2. Click Download Import Template — download the Excel file with the correct structure.
  3. Fill the file with vendor data: Item No., Attribute Name (e.g., "Color"), Attribute Value (e.g., "Black").
  4. Make sure attributes "Color", "Material", "Weight" exist on the Item Attributes page.
  5. Click Import attribute from Excel File and select the prepared file.
  6. Review the summary: 500 items, 1500 attributes imported.

Result: All 500 items have attributes assigned from the vendor's file. Customers can filter items by color, material, and dimensions in the shop or on the item list.

Tip

Use the Export to Excel option to export current attributes, modify them in Excel, and re-import — useful for mass updates.