How to prepare a product variant feed for automation

Find out how to prepare your product feed if you have product variants, and how to automate the process of creating the catalog.

Overview

Creating a digital catalog that contains numerous products and product variants can be challenging and time-consuming.

To simplify the process and save you valuable time and effort, we have introduced an automated solution for the shopping list that allows you to easily create, populate, and manage your product catalog, regardless of the number of products and variants it contains.

Table of contents:

Step-by-step guide 

Download the Variant-Rich-Product template

Edit the product feed file

Connect the product feed file to Flipsnack

How to use the product feed in your catalog

Sync your product feed

Filter by used or unused products in catalogs

FAQ

Next steps

Requirements: 

  • Plan: Enterprise 
  • Ideal for company size: Mid-market and Enterprise 

Schedule a consultation with our product experts for personalized assistance.

Step-by-step guide 

1. Download the Variant-Rich-Product template

For everything to work smoothly, we have created a CSV template you can download and then populate with your products and variants. 

To find it, go to the main dashboard, click on Automation, on the left panel side, and click on Import feed.

import feed

Then, a pop-up will appear. You can import your product feed from Google Drive or upload it from your device.  From here, you can download the templates for the product feed. You can use this sample as a base to build your datasheet, or start from a blank feed if you prefer.

Download templates from Flipsnack for product variants

2. Edit the product feed file

Once the template is downloaded, you can either import it into Google Sheets or open it with your preferred program, such as Microsoft Excel or Numbers.

Tip: We recommend using Google Sheets, especially if you regularly update your catalog, because, through Google Sheets, you can automatically sync your data. With the other methods, you must upload the file each time you make any changes to your feed.

After that, you can edit the feed and populate it with your products.

Important: When editing the downloaded CSV file,  keep the first three columns (Product.Type, SKU, and Parent.SKU). 

Here is a detailed list of each field from the CSV file you downloaded. The mandatory properties are mentioned as such. For properties that are not listed as mandatory, you can leave them blank if they do not apply to your catalog.

Important:  The variations must always be listed as "Variant" in the Parent.SKU column, directly under their "Parent" in the order list. This means that if a variant row is placed above its parent row, it won’t work properly.

Field Explanation Example Instructions
Product.Type The type of product (Product or Variant). Product

For products and variants

The field is  mandatory.

You can add either Product (e.g. T-shirt) or Variant (e.g., blue).

SKU

Stock keeping unit for products and variants.

SKU-01-WFW - SKU for the Product

SKU-01-WFW-SB - SKU for the Variant(see the example below)

For products and variants

The field is mandatory.

The SKU should be unique for each product or variant.

product-list-example-template

Parent.SKU Stock keeping unit of the parent product. SKU-01-WFW

Only for variants

The field is mandatory.

It should have the parent product’s SKU. Otherwise, the connection can’t be made between the product and its variant.

Name The product name.

Women Fine Watch

Only for products

If the information is added to the variant, it will be ignored, as the name will always be taken from the parent product.

Description The product description. Imported Japanese quartz movement keeps time accurate...

Only for products

If the information is added to the variant, it will be ignored, as the description will always be taken from the parent product.

Product.ImageURL The product image. https://cdn.flipsnack.com/images/automation/women-fine-watch-black.jpg

For products

You can add up to 15 images in the same row,  but you have to separate them with a semicolon (;) 

The image link must end in either .jpg or .png, otherwise it will not work

If you have trouble finding a correct URL, you can use the link from Design Studio. 

The product image link will automatically apply for variants as well. You can overwrite variant images by filling in the Variant.ImageURL field.

Price The product price.

35

35.5

Only for products

The price will automatically apply to variants as well. You can overwrite variant prices by filling in the Variant.Price field.

If you use a decimal separator, please use a decimal point, not a decimal comma.

Do not use dollar signs ($); prices will not display if a dollar sign is included. We have a separate column for currency.

Currency The product currency. USD

Only for products

You can add a single currency for the entire flipbook, but you can modify the currency when editing the flipbook. 

If you change the currency, it will be applied to all products/variants. 

If you need to change the currency, we recommend doing so in the feed and then updating the feed in Flipsnack. If the sheet contains more than one currency, the first currency added will be applied to the entire flipbook.

Discount.Price The discounted price for the product. 25

Only for products

Same rules apply as for Price (only numbers and period)

Visible The visibility for the variants. TRUE

Only for variants

You can choose between TRUE or FALSE 

If FALSE, the variant will be unavailable for purchase.

If you leave the field blank, it will be set as TRUE by default, but set this field to FALSE if the variant is out of stock or if you do not want buyers to be able to purchase it.

Quantity Enable or disable quantity TRUE

Only for products

When set to TRUE, users will be able to adjust the quantity of a product using a control like the one below: 
     adjust-quantity-option
When set to FALSE, the quantity field becomes unavailable, and users can only add one product at a time.

MIN.Purchasable.Quantity 

The minimum quantity available for purchase for the same product/variant.

2

For Products

It will also apply to the variants.

If you have set a minimum quantity, you must also add a maximum one, otherwise, it will not work.

MAX.Purchasable.Quantity  The maximum quantity available for purchase for the same product/variant. 3

For Products

It will also apply to the variants.

MOQ When products must be bought in packs or minimum quantities.  TRUE

TRUE → enables quantity steps (multiples).

FALSE → buyers can choose any number between the min and max 

E.g., if you have MIN.Purchasable.Quantity 2 and MAX.Purchasable.Quantity 10, and MOQ TRUE, the buyers can add only 2,4,6,8, or 10 items to the cart (multiples of 2, until they reach the maximum value, 10)

Attribute.Name1

The product attribute name.

Color

For Products

You can add a maximum of 3 attributes. If your product does not contain variants, you can leave the field blank.

Attribute.Options1

The options available for Attribute.Name1.

Product options: Silver;Black;Gold;Brown

Variant options: 

Silver

Black

Gold

 

For Products and Variants

You can include up to 90 attribute options in total (the limit is calculated for the 3 attributes in total;  for example, if you add 90 options to the first attribute, the options for the second attribute will not be displayed)

 

Each option should be added on separate rows for each variant.

Attribute.Name2

The product attribute name.

Size

For Products

Same as Attribute.Name1.

Attribute.Options2

The options available for Attribute.Name2.

Product options: Small, Medium; Large

Variant options: 

Small

Medium

Large

For Products and Variants

Same as Attribute.Options1.

Attribute.Name3

The product attribute name.

Material

For Products

Same as Attribute.Name1.

Attribute.Options3

The options available for Attribute.Name3.

Product options: 

Cotton;Polyester

Variant options:

Cotton

Polyester

For Products and Variants

Same as Attribute.Options1

Image.Attribute The attribute that will be used for the image. Color

Only for products

You need to choose a single attribute (if you have more than one) for which you want to add the images.  

E.g. if you’re selling T-shirts with the attributes Color and Size, the obvious choice would be to choose Color for the image attribute. This way, when someone selects the T-shirt in a different color, they will see a picture of the T-shirt in that particular color. Using different images for each size would not make too much sense since, visually, they all look the same.

Variant.ImageURL The URL that will be used for the image attribute. https://cdn.flipsnack.com/images/automation/women-fine-watch-black.jpg;https://cdn.flipsnack.com/images/automation/women-fine-watch-black2.jpg

For variants

You can add up to 15 images in one field, separated by semicolons(;).

The field should be located in the same row as the attribute option to which you want to add images.

E.g. If “Color” is your Image.Attribute and the options are red, green, or white, do this:

Add a variant row for each color.

For example:

Product.Type → Variant

Attribute.Options1 → green

Variant.ImageURL → add the image links for the green product.

Repeat for each color (e.g., a “white” row with its own image links).

Flipsnack will automatically show the correct images when a buyer selects that color.

Variant.Price The price for the variants. 30

For Variants

You can add a different price for each variant. If you leave the field blank, the product's price (Price column) will be applied to the variant.

Variant.Discount.Price The discounted price for the variants. 26

For Variants

You can add a different discount price for each variant. If you leave the field blank, the product's discount price (Discount.price column) will be applied to the variant.

Shop.Element The type of element to be added to the catalog. AREA

Only for products

The field is mandatory.

You can choose between AREA and BUTTON.

The Area element is an overlay.

The Button element is a call to action button.

If you leave the field blank, AREA will be selected by default. 

Area.Element.Tooltip The text displayed when you hover over the area element when browsing the flipbook. Click here

For Products

Applicable only if you have selected AREA.

If the field is blank, “Click to view this product” will be displayed.

Area.Element.Color

The color of the Area element.

#7BC2FF

For Products

You must add a HEX Code.

Area.Element.Opacity

The opacity of the Area element. 

20

For Products

You can select a value between 0 and 100.

0 = completely transparent.

100 = completely visible.

Shop.Button

The add to cart shop button. 

TRUE

If you set it to FALSE, the add to cart/shop this item button will be hidden. 

add to card button not hidden

Shop.Button.Color The shop button color.

#0362FC

For products

We recommend using the Hex Code.

If left empty, the default color will be black.

Shop.Button.Label The text displayed on the shop button. Shop now

For Products

If the field is blank, “Shop this item” will be displayed.

Shop.Label.Color The color of the text on the shop button.

#ffffff

For products

By default, the color is set to white.

Website.Button Find out how to prepare your feed for product variant automation and how to use the feed in your catalog TRUE

For Products

Visible when you click on the area or button element.

You can choose between TRUE or FALSE.

If the field is blank, FALSE will be used.

Website.Button.Label The text displayed for the website button. Our website

For Products

It can be used if Website.Button is set to TRUE.

If the field is blank, “View more” will be displayed.

Website.Link The URL used when the website button is clicked. https://www.flipsnack.com/

For Products

If you don’t add a link, the button will not be displayed, even if you set its value to TRUE.

Customizable.Product Personalization for the product.  FALSE

Set this field to TRUE if the product allows personalization (e.g., “Add your name”). 

Customizable.Product.Instructions Instructions for personalization.   

This is a short message or guide for buyers, for example:  “Write your message or initials below.”

It appears inside the personalization box in the shopping modal.

Customizable.Product.Flat.Fee Personalization fixed cost.   

A fixed extra cost for personalization.

Example: If you charge $2.50 for engraving, enter 2.5.

Customizable.Product.Per.Character Charges a price per character typed by the buyer  

Charges a price per character typed by the buyer (e.g., $0.10 per letter).

If you fill in both Flat.Fee and Per.Character, Per. Character takes priority.

Customizable.Product.Character.Length The maximum number of characters a buyer can type  

Numbers only. Sets the maximum number of characters a buyer can type (e.g., 20).

Customizable.Product.Mandatory Personalization required or no.   

Set to TRUE if personalization is required (the buyer must fill it out to purchase).

Leave FALSE if it’s optional.

Once you have edited the file, it is time to upload it to Flipsnack. 

Important: If a specific variant differs from the main product in details such as price, image, or visibility, you need to list it manually in the feed. Otherwise, all variants will inherit the main product's details (price, image, etc.) by default.

3. Upload the product feed file to Flipsnack

To do so, go to the Main dashboard, click on the Automation panel ---> Import feed. 

Now,  either click on the Upload CSV file or Google Drive

upload product feed from google drive or from device

 

Note: If you plan to update the catalog data regularly, we recommend using the Google Sheets option. In this case, instead of uploading the file for each modification, you can simply click the Sync button, learn more about synchronization here.

synchronize-product-list-button

4. Sync your product feed

If you uploaded a CSV file, you won't find the sync button(as shown in the image above). To update the catalog after making changes, you need to re-import the same CSV file updated. You can replace it here or from the Design Studio in the Automation panel.

If the CSV file has the same name, a pop-up will appear, asking whether you want to overwrite the existing feed or not.

Find more about synchronization in this article

Note: For those who have access to the AI features ( starting Professional plan), the mapping works automatically; you don't have to do anything, only to make a quick check that everything is mapped as you wanted.

map feed-mh

If you have modified the column header names in the feed and tried to sync it, the change will be reflected by an error message. .

error message for sync

Note: As already mentioned, we recommend not changing the fields because, for each modified field, you will need to assign the new data manually. Given the large number of properties, this process can be time-consuming and lead to errors.

5. How to use the feed in your catalog

Once your file has been imported into Flipsnack, you can easily use it in your product catalog.

While in the Design Studio, pick the catalog you want to use. Click on Automation.  Here, you will be able to see your uploaded product feeds, how many products and feeds are used in a catalog. 

image-mh - 2025-10-16T161800.877

Once select the feed you want,  you can easily drag and drop a product on the page, and when you do so, a Shopping list element will be created. To preview the product, click on the Preview button in the upper right side. 

drag-and-drop-the-product-from-the-automation-tab-on-the-page

 

Filter by used or unused products in catalogs

You can easily filter products to see which ones are already used in your catalog in the Automation tab and which ones are not. This is especially helpful if you're unsure which products you've already added

filter the product added to the catalog

 

FAQ

Why can't I view the product variants?

Make sure to use the template that we offer when adding variants. 

Are there any limitations on the number of products or variants that can be automated in Flipsnack?

Flipsnack does not have a limit for the number of products that can be added to a feed; however, you can only add 3 attributes (eg, color, material, size)

What kind of images are accepted?

Accepted formats include JPG, PNG, and GIF. Add images by placing direct URLs in the appropriate column of your feed. Learn more.

 

Next steps

Useful resources 

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