Flat file in amazon

Amazon flat files are simple sheets (usually in CSV style) that help sellers put up and handle big lists of items fast on Amazon Seller Central. Here’s what you need to know:

Why Use Amazon Flat Files?

Save Time: Put up or change hundreds of items at once instead of one by one.
Cut Mistakes: Set templates make sure your item info fits Amazon’s needs.
Deal With Many Changes: Great for price changes, stock tweaks, or new item types.
Make List Work Smooth: Easily take care of complex items with many sizes, colors, or types.

How to Start:

Get the Right Template: Sign in to Seller Central, go to Inventory > Add Products via Upload, and get the right flat file template for your item type and place.
Fill Needed Fields: Add main info like SKU, item name, brand, price, amount, and UPC codes (for U.S. items).
Send to Amazon: Save your file in .csv or .txt form, upload it via Add Products via Upload, and check the report for mistakes.

Common Errors & Fixes:

Error 8541/8542: Wrong UPC codes – use right GS1 codes.
Error 8560: Missing needed fields – look at your data again.
Error 5665: Brand Registry problems – talk to Seller Support with proof of brand own.

Pro Tips:

Use partial updates to change only some fields without changing all data.
Always keep a copy of your current stock before making many changes.
Often look over and clean your list to make sure it’s right and follows rules.

Flat files are a strong way to make your Amazon work smooth, cut down manual tasks, and keep your list of items neat and up-to-date.

Flat Files Made Simple: How to Update Your Amazon Listings Like a Pro (TUTORIAL)

Get Ready: How to Start with Amazon Flat Files

You now understand flat files and why they matter; let’s move on to using them. There are three main steps: get the right template, fill it out well, and upload it to Amazon. Each part needs you to follow certain rules, especially for the US market.

Getting the Proper Flat File Template

Each type of product has its own flat file template. If you use the wrong one, you might see errors and delays.

First, sign in to Seller Central. Go to Inventory > Add Products via Upload. This leads you to Amazon’s bulk upload area where you manage flat file jobs.

In the upload area, look for options like Download an inventory file or Download Product Spreadsheet. You will see a list of product types. Pick the exact type that fits your products. For instance, if you’re selling headphones, choose the electronics template, not something like "Home & Garden."

Be sure you pick the US market, as templates vary by country. Choose your category, then click Generate Template or Generate Spreadsheet. Amazon will then give you a CSV file made for your product type for the US, with all the needed columns and format.

With the template ready, you can start adding your product details.

Filling Out the Flat File

With the right template in hand, start entering your product data. Open the file, and you’ll see fields marked as required, conditionally required, or recommended. These help you know where to focus.

Required fields must be filled and include things like SKU, product title, brand, price, and quantity. Pay good attention to the product title – it’s key for Amazon to set listing relevance. Use clear, detailed titles that show off key features.

The brand is also vital, as it helps customers filter search results. For instance, if you’re listing Nike shoes, always write "Nike."

For products sold in the US, you need codes like UPC or EAN. These are essential for most items and let Amazon link your products to their catalog. If you don’t have these codes, get them from GS1 or an approved seller.

Some fields might need extras based on what you put in. Like, if you have product options, you must give extra info like size and color. Also, remember that the US uses imperial units (inches, feet, pounds), so use this format in your data.

Prices should be in US dollars with two decimal points (e.g., $29.99). Similarly, use inches and pounds for sizes and weights.

Uploading Flat Files to Amazon

Once your template is filled, next is uploading it. First, check your data and make sure the SKUs are right. Amazon takes files in .txt or .csv forms, so ensure your file is saved the right way.

Go back to the Add Products via Upload area in Seller Central, pick Upload your Inventory File, and put up your done flat file. Choose to get a processing report before you press the upload button. This report will tell you what parts of your file worked and mark any mistakes.

After you upload, watch the status. You will see updates like "In Progress", "Done", and "Done with Errors." When processing is done, get and look at the report. It will point out any problems, like missing UPC codes, wrong price ways, or too long product names.

If you find mistakes, fix them and upload the file again. Each upload makes a new processing report, helping you see your progress until the file has no issues.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Even with good plan, flat file uploads to Amazon can hit snags. Amazon checks everything so close every small error can turn big. Good part? Most errors are common, so once you know the usual ones and how to fix them, it gets easy to deal with.

Learn About Amazon Error Codes

Amazon has 8000-series error codes for issues with lists. Here’s a quick look at some usual ones and how to fix them:

Errors 8541 and 8542: These show up when UPCs don’t match Amazon’s list. To fix, get right UPC codes from GS1 and upload your list again.
Error 8560: This pops up with wrong data, missing info, or mismatch between product ID and ASIN. Make sure all needed spots are full and the data fits Amazon’s needs.
Error 8016: This links to issues with product mixes. Make sure your main and linked items are right set and traits like size or color are right noted.
Error 5000: This means bad format or wrong values in your SKUs. Don’t use spaces, odd signs, or wonky formats in your SKU work.
Error 5665: If you’re not in Brand Registry, this error may show. Talk to Seller Help and give the brand name, pics of the brand, and the batch ID if using a form.
Error 5887: Fix this by taking out the brand spot from your flat file and upload it again. This fits Amazon’s rules for no-brand product lists.
Error 8572: To mend this, buy UPC codes from GS1, print the ID paper from the GS1 Data Hub, and send it to Amazon Seller Help.
Error 8032: You need to wipe the current main SKU, make a new one, make sure linked SKUs are right set, and upload your flat file again.

Fixing Format and Rules Errors

Once you spot the error codes, work on fixing any base format mistakes to meet U.S. rules. Keep these tips in mind:

Measure units: Use U.S. units – note sizes in inches, weight in pounds, and temp in Fahrenheit. If your data uses metric, change it before uploading (e.g., 10 inches for 25.4 cm).
Number format: In the U.S., use commas for thousands and points for decimals (like 1,234.56).
Needed fields: Fill all must-have spots, like SKU, product name, brand, price, amount, and IDs like UPC codes. Missing any can mess up the upload.
Letter limits: Use simple letters, numbers, and plain signs. Swap odd signs with okay options.
Date format: Use the U.S. style (MM/DD/YYYY) for dates like end, start, or other key product times.

Using Amazon’s Error Reports

After fixing codes and layout issues, Amazon’s error reports help with the last fixes. These reports are key for finding problems and making future uploads easier.

The Inventory File Error Report is what you need to fix upload problems. After you upload your flat file, get this report to check which items worked and which did not.

To get it, head to the Inventory Reports area in Seller Central. Pick the flat file and date, then hit "Generate Report" and download it when it’s ready. This report sorts problems like missing data, wrong fields, copies, and mismatched data. It shows the bad SKU, the error field, and a short error note. The Feed Processing Summary gives a quick view of how many items worked versus those with errors, helping you focus on what to fix.

For new uploads, use Amazon’s Check My File to spot missing data before you send it in. Look for common errors – if many SKUs have the same issue, fix the main problem instead of each one by one. Watch the error level, as some can stop your listings from showing up. Always check product IDs with a UPC tool and fill all needed fields in your stock template.

The error report also shows what went right, letting you use the right layout and structure next time. This step-by-step method can save time and cut down on mistakes later on.

sbb-itb-ed4fa17

How Flat Files Help With Catalog Control

Once you grasp the basics and fix common errors, you can improve in handling flat files. With smart moves, flat files turn into a strong way to manage your product catalog. They cover all from changes in products to updates for every season, and even needs for different markets.

Connections Between Parent and Child Products and Their Changes

It’s key to get changes in products right to help your listings do better. Links between parent and child products let you show all choices for a product in one spot. This makes it simple for buyers to pick and helps increase sales.

Here’s how it works: The main product, or parent SKU, groups items that can’t be bought on their own, while each child SKU is a certain type, like "Red, Medium" or "Blue, Large." These child SKUs are what buyers put in their carts.

Amazon has recently made its rules on attributes and auto-sorting tighter, so picking the right type of change is key. For example, if you sell t-shirts, the main SKU might be "SHIRT-001", while the child SKUs could be "SHIRT-001-RED-S" (Red Small), "SHIRT-001-RED-M" (Red Medium), or "SHIRT-001-BLU-S" (Blue Small). Each child SKU should have its own unique Product ID (like a UPC), but the main SKU does not.

Here’s a simple guide:

Field Name	Main Item	Small Item
SKU	True	True
Product ID	No	True
Type	"big"	"small"
Main Item ID	(none)	True
Style Changes	True	True
Color/Size/etc.	No	True

Check the "Valid Values" tab in your flat file template to see what variation themes work for your product type. For products you already sell, mark the Parent field as "Update" to merge live listings, and choose "PartialUpdate" for child products to add new variations without changing old data. Store the templates that work as main files to make updates easier later. By getting good at variations, you can organize your catalog better and make shopping easier for buyers.

Handling Updates That Change With Seasons

Flat files are great for big updates, especially during times like holiday sales or school season. They let you change lots of products at once.

For instance, you can change prices for many items with just one file upload. Before you change things, download your current stock as a backup. Then, pick the "PartialUpdate" choice to change only what you need, like prices or keywords.

It’s also key to manage how much stock you have during busy times. Updating how many items you have in bulk makes sure people can still find your products and they don’t vanish from search results when they’re sold out. Mixing bulk changes for prices, stock, and SEO keywords helps keep things smooth and visible during those busier times. These steps build on what you already do with flat files to keep your catalog neat.

Advice for Sellers in the U.S.

If you’re selling in the U.S., make sure to use the right formats to stay out of trouble and prevent mistakes:

Stick to U.S. styles for dates (MM/DD/YYYY), sizes (inches, pounds, Fahrenheit), and numbers (commas for thousands, dots for decimals).
You must have attributes like SKU, Product ID Type, Product ID, Brand, Item Name, Manufacturer, and Product Category.
Product titles should have the brand and main features like size and color – don’t just fill them with keywords.
Use good quality pictures with a white background for main product photos.

If your products need to meet FDA rules, safety standards, or other limits, add any needed safety messages, age limits, or certificates. Save your flat files as UTF-8 encoded with a tab-delimited .txt format to dodge problems with special characters. And remember to check your listings often for mistakes or things that don’t match up to keep your catalog looking good.

Wrap-up: Getting Good with Amazon Flat Files

Main Points

Flat files are key for handling big Amazon catalogs. They let you make many updates fast, saving tons of time and work. Instead of changing each item one by one, you can update hundreds – or even thousands – of products in just minutes.

A top perk is tweaking inventory and prices in a big way. If you’re fixing prices for a holiday sale, setting how many items you have for a school rush, or fixing product info, flat files make it all much more smooth. This speed matters a lot during busy times like Black Friday, when every minute is important.

Another big plus is fewer mistakes. When you do it by hand, errors like wrong spelling or blank fields can happen a lot. By using a spreadsheet, you can check your data for mistakes before you add it, making sure you meet Amazon’s needs and dodging big errors.

Flat files also help manage product changes and updates for different times of the year. Whether you’re adding new sizes or updating info for a holiday, flat files make it all easier, keeping you on top and ahead of others.

Steps for Sellers

To start, begin with small, easy jobs. Pick one kind of product and try flat files with 10 to 20 items. This direct use will help you feel sure before you go for bigger catalog changes.

Set a plan to check your stuff every month. Get your current item info, then look it over for old listings, wrong prices, or missing bits. Doing this often keeps your catalog right and at its best.

Keep a perfect flat file as your main template. Having a clean, error-free template to use will save time and make sure your whole catalog is the same.

As your shop gets big, flat files will be more important. By getting good with them early, you’ll be ready to grow your work easily. Use flat files often to keep your items right and your catalog work smooth, building a base for long-time wins.