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How to Manually Create & Import a CSV File

If you have a collection of books that are not on Amazon, or you simply prefer to manage your inventory using a spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets), you can use our Manual CSV Import feature.

This guide will show you how to format your data correctly using our template and upload it to RS WP Book Showcase.

Step 1: Download the CSV Template

To ensure your data is imported correctly, it is crucial to use the correct column headers. We have prepared a sample file for you.

  1. Click here to Download the Sample CSV Template (Replace this link with your Google Drive/Docs link)
  2. Open the file in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet editor.
  3. File > Make a Copy (if using Google Sheets) or save it to your computer to start editing.

Step 2: Prepare Your Data

Fill in the columns with your book information. You do not need to fill in every single column; however, Book Title is mandatory.

📝 Key Columns Explained

Here is a breakdown of the most important columns found in the template:

Column HeaderDescriptionExample Data
Book Title(Required) The main title of the book.Node Cookbook
Book AuthorThe name of the author(s). Separate multiple authors with commas.Bethany Griggs, Adam Crute
Book Front ImageA direct URL to the book cover image. The plugin will download this image.https://example.com/images/cover.jpg
Book CategoriesThe genre or category.Fiction, Technology
Book PriceThe regular price of the book (numbers only).50
Book Long DescriptionThe full summary of the book. You can use HTML tags here.Discover solutions, techniques...
Book ISBNThe ISBN number.978-1838558758
Book PublisherThe name of the publishing house.Packt Publishing
Book Publish DateWhen the book was released (e.g., Month Day, Year).December 5, 2023
Book LinkThe direct URL where users can buy the book.https://amazon.com/dp/B08...
Book FormatThe format of the book (e.g., Hardcover, Kindle).Hard Cover
Book PagesTotal number of pages.560

💡 Tips for a Successful Import:

  • Image Links: Ensure the Book Front Image link is a direct link to an image file (ending in .jpg, .png) and is publicly accessible.
  • Empty Columns: If you don’t have data for a specific field (e.g., Book Series or Book Translator), simply leave that cell blank. Do not delete the column header.
  • Formatting: Avoid using special characters in the column headers. Stick to the format provided in the template.

Step 3: Save as CSV

Once you have finished adding your books:

  1. In Excel: Go to File > Save As and select CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv).
  2. In Google Sheets: Go to File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv).

Step 4: Upload to WordPress

Now that your file is ready, import it into the plugin.

  1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Books > Import Books From CSV.
  3. Click the “Select CSV File” button.
  4. Upload the .csv file you just saved.
  5. Click “Use this file”.
  6. Finally, click the “Import Books” button.

The system will process the file, create the books, assign categories/authors, and download the cover images automatically.

Troubleshooting Common Errors

Error: “File format not allowed”

  • Ensure you saved the file specifically as a .csv, not .xls or .xlsx.

Issue: Images are not showing up.

  • Copy the URL from the Book Front Image column and paste it into your browser. If it doesn’t load an image, the link is broken.
  • Ensure your server allows external file downloading (allow_url_fopen enabled).

Issue: Data appears in the wrong fields.

  • This usually happens if a column was deleted or the order was changed. Please compare your file headers with the original template.

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