Variation Products (N-Matrix)


Check out how to create product variations in Sellercloud’s updated interface!

Overview

Variations refer to the relationship between products that share common characteristics with minor differences, such as different sizes of a pair of shoes, or baseball caps from different teams. Below you will find more information on variations.

Variations, Dimensions, and Values

There are three key terms associated with variations. These are variations, dimensions, and values:

  • A variation is a product you sell on a single listing that is available in different types, colors, shapes, etc.

  • A dimension refers to the different sizes or colors for that variation. For example, a dimension name could be the size, color, flavors, etc.

  • A value would be the color, size, flavor, etc. of the dimension. For example, if the dimension is the color, the value could be white or blue; or if the dimension is the size, the value could be small, medium, large, etc.

Refer to the table below for a visual explanation of the relationship between these terms.

The image shows variations, dimensions, and values.

Create Variations

When creating a variation, the parent inventory always stays at 0 and the children retain the inventory. This is because the parent is not a real product.

You can create variations manually or in bulk.

Manually

  1. Go to Catalog > Manage Catalog > Open a product > Toolbox > Variations. From this page, you can also manage existing variations.
  2. On the new page, you can choose from the existing dimensions or create new ones. Selected dimensions will be added to your Selected Dimensions. Read more about dimensions in the Variation Dimensions article.
    The image shows the Create Variations - Pick Dimensions window.
  3. Press the Next icon and configure your variation SKUs under the Child SKU column.
    Note: Click the eye icon to hide any unwanted combinations.
  4. Press the Finish icon.
  5. Once your Variation is created, you can add your Variation images. Learn more about adding variation images here.
In Bulk

  1. Go to Catalog > Tools > Import Product Info > Import Variations.
  2. Select a File Type from the upper right corner. Sellercloud supports TAB Delimited, CSV, and Excel.
  3. Populate the columns.
    • In the ParentProductID column, enter the Variation Parent SKU. You must enter the parent SKU in every row that has a variation child of that parent. Note: The Variation Parent must exist in your Sellercloud catalog before importing.
    • In the ProductID column, enter the product ID of the variation product each on a separate column. If the SKU does not exist, the import will create it and configure it as a variation child.
    • In the remaining columns, enter the values of the dimensions associated with that variation. If dimensions or values entered do not exist in Sellercloud, they will be created with this file import.
      The image shows the Excel file.
  4. Save the file and return to Sellercloud.
  5. Click to upload file > Select the file > Import.
  6. Once your Variation is created, you can import your Variation images. Learn more about it here.

Manage Variations

From the Variations page, you can Export and Import variation products, delete variations, add unused variation products, and hide variation products.

The image shows how to manage variations.

Another way to add products to an existing variation is to export the existing variation, and then import it with the updated products:

  1. Open Manage Catalog and search for the variation. You can do this by adding the custom filter Variations: Variation Parent.
  2. Select the Variation Parent > Action menu > Export Products (Catalog).
  3. Click Variations from the Standard dropdown > Export.
    The image shows the Export Product Catalog Information window.
  4. Populate the columns as needed, then return to Sellercloud.
  5. Access Catalog > Tools > Import Product Info > Import Product Variations.
  6. Click to upload file > Choose file > Import.

 

Create an N-Matrix (variation)

To create a variation listing, known as N-Matrix, in Sellercloud’s original interface, select Enable Product N-Matrix in the Client Settings.
  1. Go to Settings > N Matrix.
  2. Press Add New Dimension.
  3. Complete and save the following fields:
    1. Unique Name – Name of a particular dimension to be associated with the intended products
    2. Display Name – Name as it appears on the channel
    3. Abbreviation – An abbreviated form
    4. Manufacturer – For reference (not required)
    5. Product Type – For reference (not required)
  4. Click on Manage Values to edit values (such as colors, sizes, flavors, etc.).

  5. Add a new product to your catalog with a name that reflects that it is a parent product of the variations. (In this example, “MatrixParent,” as shown below in Step #7.)
  6. On the parent product’s Product Summary, click Toolbox > N-Matrix > Matrix General.
  7. Choose the dimensions to add to this product (if necessary, add a new dimension) > Continue (at bottom of page).
  8. Copy and paste a product SKU into its corresponding Product ID to build it on a parent and child scheme.
  9. Learn how to set images on variations.
When creating an n-matrix listing, the parent inventory always stays at 0 and the children retain the inventory. This is because the parent is not a real product, as shown below.

Create an N-Matrix in bulk

You can create variation dimensions for an N-Matrix in bulk by downloading an Excel template with pre-defined column headers, and then populating the file and importing it:

  1. Click Settings > N Matrix.
  2. Click Download Template.
  3. Open the downloaded template and enter the desired values. Note: The Manufacturer and Product Type columns are not required.
  4. Save the template file with a unique name.
  5. On the N Matrix Dimensions page, click Choose File > find the file and click Open.
  6. Click Import dimensions. Your new dimensions will appear in the grid.

Split an N-Matrix

An n-Matrix that has multiple dimensions can be split into many new n-matrixes by removing one of the dimensions. This is important when taking items from eBay where many dimensions are supported and publishing them to sites like Amazon, where only size and color are supported. For example, an eBay listing for a baseball cap might have variations by team, color, and size and the team dimension would need to be removed before it can be published onto Amazon. You can split an n-Matrix from the ProductDetail page. ‘Split n-Matrix’ is an item on the n-Matrix submenu. Once the original n-matrix has been split, the child SKUs will be members of more than one parent n-matrix. If you click n-Matrix from the child SKU it will then give you the option to navigate to either of the parents.

Import N-Matrix products

You can create new matrixes in bulk using a file import, or add products to an existing matrix using the same file import.To import a new matrix configuration, do the following:

  1. Click Inventory > Import Product Info > Import Product N-Matrix.
  2. Select a File Type from the dropdown > click Download Template.
  3. In the ParentProductID column, enter the Matrix Parent SKU. You must enter the parent SKU in every row that has a matrix child of that parent. Important! The Matrix Parent must exist in your SellerCloud catalog before importing.
  4. In the ProductID column, enter the product ID of the variation product. If the Product ID matches an existing SKU in your catalog, that SKU will be configured as a matrix child. If the SKU does not exist, the import will create it and configure it as a matrix child.
  5. In the remaining columns, enter the values of the dimensions associated with that variation. In the image below, there are two dimensions – Color and Size – and on the product rows are Red, Green, Small, and Large, respectively.
  6. If you have more dimensions for this n-matrix, add more columns with that dimension name as the header. If dimensions or values entered do not exist in SellerCloud, they will be created with this file import.
  7. Save the file with a unique name.
  8. On the Import Product N-Matrix page, find and select the file.
  9. Click Import Products Info. The import creates a queued job to create the n-matrix configuration.

Add products to an N-Matrix

The easiest way to add products to an existing matrix is to export the existing matrix, and then import it with the updated products:

  1. Open the Manage Inventory page and search for the Matrix.
  2. Select the Matrix Parent > Action Menu > Export N Matrix > Go.
  3. Add the products to the file as instructed above, then save the file.
  4. Click Inventory > Import Product Info > Import N Matrix (neither checkbox is required).
  5. Choose File > and then click Import Matrix.

Products can be added on the interface as well on the Matrix properties page. Check the “Show All” checkbox to reveal all available options. You can add more dimensions and values there as well.

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