Add your products using inventory files

If you want to add multiple product listings at the same time, you can do so using inventory file templates. These templates are tab-delimited text files (.txt) that include all of the information to list your products on Amazon.

We recommend you have a basic understanding of data files before attempting to use inventory file templates.

What do I need to do before using inventory files?

• Install a spreadsheet program if you don't already have one on your computer, for example Microsoft Excel.
• Identify the product category for your products and download the appropriate template through the Add Products via Upload page.
• Request approval (if necessary) to sell in specific product categories. See Categories and Products Requiring Approval.
• Match your products to the Amazon catalog. Amazon creates listings for your products based on information you include in your file in this order.
  
  1. Match ISBN, UPC, or EAN: If your file includes a product identifier (ISBN, UPC or EAN) for any product and a matching identifier exists on Amazon, we will attempt to find a match for your product.
  2. Match manufacturer or biographical information: If your file does not include ISBN, UPC or EAN identifiers for a particular product, we will attempt to match based on manufacturer or bibliographic information you've submitted in your file. An exact match is required to create a listing.
  3. Create new listings: If we cannot find matches to our existing catalog using product identifiers or manufacturer or biographical information, and you provide enough data in the upload file, we will create new product pages for those listings.

     Your inventory will then reflect on these pages to create offerings for customers. If there is insufficient information to match to existing pages or create new pages, you will receive an error message in the processing report following your upload.

• Enable Macros in Excel to perform data validation, correct errors, and automate some of the tasks in populating and uploading your file. File templates for the Inventory Loader, Book Loader, Music Loader, and Video Loader include the macros to help simplify creating your inventory files. You can find the macros on the Excel Add-Ins menu in the toolbar at the top of the template:
  
  1. Validate
  2. Upload File
  3. Import File
  4. Update Template