Learn how to use and troubleshoot sync buttons to automate and update your product catalogs.
Autosync is a Flipsnack feature that allows you to automatically update data in your catalog (such as prices, descriptions, and images) by pulling information directly from a CSV file or Google Sheets. With Autosync, you can keep your catalog updated without having to manually re-enter or adjust every product.
Note: Before we go further, automation is available with the Enterprise plan.
Two types of syncing methods
We have two main types of synching methods and they both highlight how updates are handled for different parts of the catalog: one for in-page products and another for the shopping list:
In-page products: This refers to the product details displayed directly on the catalog pages. These are typically created from scratch within the catalog. Any updates made to these products will automatically reflect on the pages themselves.
Shopping list: This sync method is used for the information that appears in a modal, which opens from a button or an area, allowing users to purchase or add products to a wishlist. This method is particularly useful when creating a catalog from scratch but is especially relevant when uploading a PDF. Simply drag and drop the products into the desired areas of the catalog where you want them to appear.
1. Autosync for in-page products
This is used when you want to automatically sync updates from your CSV or Google Sheets file, particularly for recurring updates like product descriptions, prices, or images. It's ideal for large catalogs where you need frequent updates.
Note: AutoSync requires the same CSV or Google Sheet, with the same column names and product IDs (SKUs).
CSV file
On the homepage, go to the side navigation bar, click the Automation tab, and use the Replace button to upload the updated version of the CSV.
For Google Sheets, this step is not necessary. The advantage of using Google Sheets is that all updates happen online and sync directly from the Design Studio, skipping the manual upload step.
Important: Do not upload a new file, if you do, the auto sync won’t work, and you’ll need to reorganize the automation from scratch. Because auto sync requires the same CSV or Google Sheet, with the same column names and product IDs (SKUs)
Google Spreadsheets
After updating the information in the spreadsheet, go to the Automation tab on the side navigation in Design Studio, select the Google spreadsheet you made the changes to, and then press the blue sync button next to it. Then, click inside the catalog and select the black Sync products button in the upper menu. This will update the information across all the pages with the latest data from the data set.
2. Autosync for shopping list items
This sync method is for managing and updating products in your catalog’s shopping list (buttons or areas that link to the products).
You can update product information related to the shopping list (like prices, quantities, or discount offers) by modifying your CSV or Google Sheets for the in-page auto-sync, as explained in the previous section. Here, all you have to do is drag and drop the products into the areas where you want them to appear in the catalog. Depending on what you added to the spreadsheet, they will show up either as buttons or as an area. If you fail to add the information to the spreadsheet, Flipsnack will add a shopping area by default.
Troubleshooting auto-sync issues
- The sync button does not appear.
If the sync button isn’t showing, make sure no elements are selected (such as text elements or shopping buttons). Simply click on the background of the page or outside the page in the Design Studio, and the sync button should appear.
2. I added a new product/column, but It doesn’t sync.
If you want to add new products to your catalog, then you will need to add a new Product code/SKU along with the information for that product in your initial uploaded file and then manually drag & drop the new product in the catalog. Any new product added or extra columns in your CSV or spreadsheet will not be automatically added to the catalog by using the AutoSync button.
3. Sync isn’t working after I made changes.
Make sure that you haven’t modified the Product code/SKU or column headers. Changing these will disrupt the sync process. Use the same file structure as before.
4. The sync updates only some data.
Double-check the mapping of your columns and ensure all relevant data fields are mapped correctly in the Automation tab. You might need to manually redo some mappings.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us via live chat.