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Import Feeds

Overview​

42feeds provides three flexible ways to import your product data. Once imported, your feed becomes the foundation for transformations, enhancements, and multi-channel exports.

Import Methods​

1. Import from URL​

Import a feed file directly from any publicly accessible URL.

How it works:

  • Paste the direct link to your feed file (e.g. https://example.com/products.csv)
  • 42feeds fetches the file automatically and handles format conversion
  • The feed is parsed, stored, and ready for use

Supported formats: CSV, TSV, JSON, XML

Auto-refresh: Enable the Auto-refresh option to schedule automatic re-imports. This keeps your data up to date by periodically fetching the latest version from the URL.

2. Import from Google Sheets​

Import product data directly from a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

How it works:

  • Make your Google Sheet publicly accessible (Share → "Anyone with the link can view")
  • Paste the full Google Sheets URL or the Sheet ID
  • 42feeds exports the first sheet as CSV and imports it automatically

Requirements:

  • The sheet must include a header row (column names in the first row)
  • The sheet must be publicly accessible (private sheets cannot be imported)

Auto-refresh: Enable Auto-refresh to schedule automatic re-imports. When your Google Sheet data changes, 42feeds fetches the latest version automatically.

3. Local File Upload​

Upload a feed file directly from your computer.

How it works:

  • Drag and drop your file into the upload area, or click to browse
  • The file is uploaded, parsed, and stored in your account

Supported formats: CSV, TSV, JSON, XML

Primary vs. Secondary Feeds​

Primary Feed​

Your first import becomes the Primary Feed. This is the main data source for your project.

After importing the primary feed, you will be prompted to configure field mapping. This step standardizes your column names into consistent project fields (for example, mapping product_name → title).

Secondary Feeds​

Any additional imports are treated as Secondary Feeds. These are used to enrich your primary feed with supplementary data, such as:

  • Additional product descriptions
  • Inventory or stock levels
  • Pricing from a secondary source

After importing a secondary feed, you will link it to the primary feed by selecting matching fields:

  • Choose a unique identifier from the primary feed (e.g. id, sku)
  • Select the corresponding field in the secondary feed
  • 42feeds merges the data automatically, filling missing values without overwriting existing data

What Happens After Import​

Parsing & Validation​

Your feed is parsed to extract columns and rows. If issues are detected (for example missing required fields or empty data), alerts are shown.

Field Mapping (Primary feed only)​

Map your source column names to standardized project fields. This enables consistent transformations and exports across channels.

Quality Alerts​

42feeds automatically checks for common issues, including:

  • Missing required fields (id, title, link, image_link, price)
  • Channel-specific blocking issues (e.g. Google Shopping requirements)

Ready to Transform​

Once imported, navigate to the feed detail page to inspect your data, apply transformation rules, and export to channels.

Core Required Fields​

For best compatibility with advertising channels, your feed should include the following fields:

FieldDescription
idUnique product identifier
titleProduct title or name
linkURL to the product page
image_linkURL to the main product image
priceProduct price including currency

42feeds will alert you if any of these fields are missing after import.

Import Limits​

Your plan determines how many feeds you can import. If you reach your limit, you will see an "Import limit reached" message and can upgrade your plan to increase the quota.

Tips for Success​

  • Use URL imports with auto-refresh for fully automated workflows
  • Keep Google Sheets clean and structured, with a clear header row
  • Start with your most complete feed as the primary feed
  • Review quality alerts after import and fix issues before exporting