Triggering an Integration Import or Export

Once you've set up field mapping, you're ready to move data. This guide shows you how to trigger imports and exports from the Products toolbar.

The Import/Export Dropdown

In the Merchkit Products view, look at the toolbar. You'll find an Import/Export dropdown (often labeled "Import" or showing an icon). This dropdown shows:

• CSV Import / Export (standard file-based import/export)
• Active Integrations (connected platforms, listed by name)

[SCREENSHOT: Products toolbar with Import/Export dropdown highlighted]

Triggering an Integration Import

An import pulls data from your external platform into Merchkit.

Step 1: Click the Import/Export Dropdown

In the Products toolbar, click the Import/Export dropdown.

[SCREENSHOT: Import/Export dropdown open, showing CSV and integration options]

Step 2: Select Your Integration

Find the platform you want to import from (e.g., "Shopify", "BigCommerce", "Salsify"). Click it.

Step 3: Choose Import Mapping (Optional)

If you've created multiple import mappings, you may see a dialog asking which one to use. Select the active mapping or the one you want to apply for this import.

Most of the time, you'll just have one default mapping, so this step is automatic.

[SCREENSHOT: Import mapping selection dialog (if applicable)]

Step 4: Review Import Details

Merchkit will show a preview:

• Platform: Which platform you're importing from
• Mapping: Which field mappings will be used
• Expected product count: How many products will be imported (based on filters)
• Last sync: When this integration last synced (if ever)

Review these details. If something looks wrong, click Cancel and fix your mappings first.

[SCREENSHOT: Import confirmation screen with details]

Step 5: Click "Import" or "Start Import"

Confirm the import. Merchkit will:

1. Connect to your platform using the authenticated integration
2. Apply your import filters (e.g., import only "Kitchen" products)
3. For each matching product, map platform fields to Merchkit columns
4. Create or update products in Merchkit
5. Record the sync timestamp

Step 6: Monitor Progress

Depending on the catalog size, the import may take seconds to minutes. Merchkit will show:

• Progress bar (% of products synced)
• Status (Importing, Completed, or Error)
• Sync timestamp (updated once complete)

[SCREENSHOT: Import progress screen]

Step 7: Verify Results

Once the import completes:

1. Go to Products and verify the imported data looks correct
2. Spot-check a few products: titles, descriptions, prices, SKUs
3. If something looks wrong (bad mapping, missing data), you'll need to re-import with corrected mappings

Triggering an Integration Export

An export pushes data from Merchkit back to your external platform.

Step 1: Click the Import/Export Dropdown

In the Products toolbar, click Import/Export again.

[SCREENSHOT: Import/Export dropdown, showing export options]

Step 2: Select Your Integration and "Export"

Some integrations show both "Import" and "Export" options in the dropdown. Select the platform and click Export (or it may be combined as "Sync").

[SCREENSHOT: Integration export option highlighted]

Step 3: Choose Export Mapping (Optional)

If you've created multiple export mappings, select the one to use. Most teams use "Default Export".

[SCREENSHOT: Export mapping selection dialog (if applicable)]

Step 4: Review Export Details

Merchkit will show:

• Platform: Which platform will be updated
• Mapping: Which Merchkit columns will sync to which platform fields
• Products to export: How many products in Merchkit will be exported
• Last sync: When you last synced this integration

Important: Exports overwrite platform data with Merchkit data. If you have unmapped fields (gold highlights), they won't sync, which is usually what you want.

[SCREENSHOT: Export confirmation screen with mapping details]

Step 5: Click "Export" or "Start Sync"

Confirm the export. Merchkit will:

1. Connect to your platform
2. For each product in Merchkit, push the mapped columns to the platform
3. Update variant data if variant fields are mapped
4. Overwrite any existing platform data in those fields
5. Record the sync timestamp

Step 6: Monitor Progress

Like imports, exports show progress and status.

[SCREENSHOT: Export progress screen]

Step 7: Verify on the Platform

Once complete:

1. Log into your platform (Shopify, BigCommerce, etc.)
2. Check a few products to confirm the exported data looks right
3. Verify prices, descriptions, and other critical fields updated correctly

Understanding "Last Synced"

In the Active Integrations list and in sync confirmation screens, you'll see Last Synced: a timestamp showing when this integration last imported or exported.

Examples:

• "Last synced 2 hours ago" — The most recent sync was successful and completed 2 hours ago
• "Never synced" — This integration was set up but hasn't run an import or export yet
• "Last synced 1 week ago" — It's been a while; consider running a sync if you've made changes

The "Last Synced" time doesn't tell you whether it was an import or export—just that some sync happened.

Handling Sync Failures

If a sync fails, you'll see an error message. Common causes:

"Authentication Failed"

Cause: Your platform credentials expired or were revoked.

Fix:

1. Go to Workspace → Integrations
2. Click your integration
3. Click Re-authenticate or Reconnect
4. Log in again with valid credentials
5. Try the sync again

"Field Mapping Error"

Cause: A mapped field doesn't exist on the platform, or data format is wrong (e.g., you're sending text where numbers are expected).

Fix:

1. Go to Configure Fields
2. Review the problematic mapping
3. Either fix the mapping or delete it
4. Save and try the sync again

"No Products to Sync"

Cause: Your import filters matched 0 products, or you have no products in Merchkit to export.

Fix:

• For imports: Check your filters; expand them to include more products
• For exports: Ensure you have products in Merchkit first

"Partial Failure"

Cause: Some products synced, but others failed.

Fix:

• Check the detailed error log (if available) to see which products failed and why
• Correct the problematic products and try again
• You may be able to sync just the failed products separately

"Sync Timeout"

Cause: The platform took too long to respond (usually for very large catalogs).

Fix:

1. Wait a few minutes
2. Try again during off-peak hours (when platform load is lower)
3. Or reduce the scope: use import filters to sync a smaller subset at a time

Best Practices for Syncing

Before First Import

1. Back up your product data on the platform (export to CSV, screenshot, etc.)
2. Test with import filters: Import one product category first
3. Spot-check the imported data in Merchkit
4. If it looks good, expand filters and import more

Before First Export

1. Back up your product data on the platform
2. Verify your export mapping carefully (especially don't accidentally overwrite prices with empty values)
3. Test on a few non-critical products first
4. Only after verification, export your full catalog

Regular Syncing

• Imports: Run weekly or daily if your platform data changes frequently
• Exports: Run after you finish enrichment work (no need for constant syncing)
• Frequency: Don't sync more often than necessary (it's resource-intensive)

Multiple Syncs and Data Consistency

If you sync the same integration multiple times:

• Multiple imports: Later imports update products based on your field mapping (newer platform data overwrites older Merchkit data)
• Multiple exports: Each export overwrites platform data with the latest Merchkit version
• Import then export: Product first imports from platform → you enrich it in Merchkit → you export back to platform. The final state is your enrichment.

This is safe as long as your field mappings are consistent and correct.

Scheduled Syncing

If you want to sync on a recurring schedule (e.g., import every night at midnight), check if your Merchkit plan includes Scheduled Syncing. Contact support or your account manager for setup.

Otherwise, you'll trigger syncs manually from the toolbar.

You're all set! Your integrations are configured and syncing. If you sell through marketplaces like Wayfair, Walmart, or Amazon, you can use Channels to generate optimized content for those platforms. See How Channels Work in Merchkit to get started.