How can I change default input product type?

Hi there!

Just to make sure – are you using the core CSV importer that comes with the WooCommerce plugin or are you using another importer plugin altogether?

If you’re using the one that’s packaged with the core WooCommerce plugin, then you’ll need to ensure you’re setting the type parameter. For more information on how to use the Importer, have a look at the following guide: https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/wiki/Product-CSV-Importer-&-Exporter

Yes, I’m using the core CSV importer.

I tried that link and cannot find where it says how to change from simple to affiliate/external.

Thanks!

Hi, @scottl31!

So, the core importer supports all product types, including external products.

The easiest way to import your products as external/affiliate would be to set the Type parameter in your .csv file as external (as Riaan mentioned). This is what it looks like:

You could also export all your products — using only the ID and Type columns, then change the Type parameter to external type, and re-import the csv file.

Remember to check this box when re-importing:

Cheers!

• This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by Rynald0s.

The easiest way to figure out what format WooCommerce is asking for is to do the following:

1. On your site, set up a product (in this case, make sure it’s an external/affiliate product)
2. Go to Products and export the product to CSV
3. Take a look at how the CSV file has been set up for that specific product

OK, so this pretty much worked.

I just added the “type’ field to the csv file.

So while this worked, I’d like to not have to open the csv file and save it out again. I’d like to just use it the way I get it from the provider.

Is there a way to have external be the default import type, by way of some functions code or something?

Thanks!

Glad to hear that helped!

Is there a way to have external be the default import type, by way of some functions code or something?

I don’t know of any code that can help you do that – if you’d like to pursue it, then I highly recommend contacting one of the services on our customizations page: https://woocommerce.com/customizations/

Well, paying somebody to do this is not worth it.

It seems like there is almost always some snippet of code that can do almost any kind of modification in woocommerce and I thought this would be one of those things simple enough for that.

Thanks

I’m afraid not all volunteers are developers, and it’s up to volunteers to decide if they want to jump in. If someone does, then you’ve gotten lucky – if not, your best option is to pay someone to do it.

Great, Thanks for all your attention to this issue.