Magento 1 – Difference Between Import/Export and Dataflow

dataflowimportimportexport

So, I'm using Magento 1.6.2.0 on a project and I'm seeing I have options for import, export, and dataflow profiles. In previous versions I've used the interface has been like the dataflow profiles. What is the difference between these, and what are some scenarios which I should be using each one?

The reason I'm asking is because I've been trying to import products with new images and it's not working whatsoever. Using the Import feature it's all going through without any error messages. When I try to import the same file using dataflow, it gives me errors about the images not existing, and there are also other errors since it looks like the exported data using the export feature isn't in the proper format to import using the dataflow profiles. I can't find any information in the forums or anywhere else, so maybe someone can shed some light for me.

Best Answer

In short: Don't use Dataflow for anything, it's deprecated. Yoav Kutner once (2011) said that Dataflow is not usable, and that was the reason they added ImportExport in Magento 1.5. The main disadvantage of Dataflow is its very low speed.

ImportExport is much faster. It's not perfect as its CSV format is not too intuitive (I have summarized it at http://www.integer-net.com/2012/04/04/importing-products-with-the-import-export-interface/), it doesn't support all product types (only simple, virtual, grouped and configurable) and the export supports even less functions (for example no grouped products). But it's very reliable and faster than all other import methods. And it still has a lot of features, like product relations, custom options, product images and tier prices. By the way, the CSV format is different from the Dataflow format, the two modules are not compatible to each other.

I have written a comparison of all import methods I know at http://www.integer-net.com/2014/05/27/product-import-with-magento/. It includes a description of all methods (among them Dataflow and ImportExport), a comparison of features and performance tests.

Related Solutions

Magento Products Not Showing Up After Import – Troubleshooting Guide

I'm not 100 sure but I think it has something to do with the status or visibility or the product.
In the products grid, when retrieving the collection there are 2 inner joins for selecting the status and visibility. (actually there is a third one, for the name but I doubt this is the problem).
If there are no values for visibility and status the product does not appear in the grid.
To test this, edit any product in the backend, then look in the table catalog_product_entity for a record that does not appear in the grid.
Change the id in the url with the one from the product that does not appear and you should be able to edit it. Set a visibility and status and save. If it appears after that int he grid then this is the problem for sure.

TO solve it, make all your products enabled and visible with this script. You can disable later the ones you don't need.

Crete a file called fix.php in the root of the magento instance with this code

<?php
error_reporting(E_ALL | E_STRICT);
define('MAGENTO_ROOT', getcwd());
$mageFilename = MAGENTO_ROOT . '/app/Mage.php';
require_once $mageFilename;
Mage::app();
$ids = Mage::getModel('catalog/product')->getCollection()->getAllIds();
Mage::getSingleton('catalog/product_action')->updateAttributes(
    $ids,
    array('status'=>1, 'visibility'=>4),
    0
);

Magento – Import product image using dataflow profiles

Place the image under media/import

then in the CSV use /productimagename.jpg

If image contain any folder name then place image in proper folder

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Magento Products Not Showing Up After Import – Troubleshooting Guide

Magento – Import product image using dataflow profiles

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