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💻 While you can manually input data into the eTailPet system for almost every process, you can input your data using spreadsheets and import the file to update it. This article shows you a number of tips and tricks you can use while filling out a spreadsheet to make the process easier.  

🐱 Please Note: These tips are based solely on Microsoft Excel. The actions in this article may differ in Google Sheets and other spreadsheet software. The following videos were not created by eTailPet and are only linked for your convenience. Also note that eTailPet does not offer support for Excel or any other spreadsheet software. 

Copy, Cut, and Paste

Generally, you can use copy and paste as shortcuts to avoid manually typing in repeating data. Three easy keyboard shortcuts to know are:

• Copy:
  
  • Ctrl + C (Windows)
  • Cmd + C (MacOS)
• Cut
  
  • Ctrl + X (Windows)
  • Cmd + X (MacOS)
• Paste
  
  • Ctrl + V (Windows)
  • Cmd + V (MacOS)

You can refer to the video below to learn other ways to copy, cut, and paste data in a spreadsheet.

Working With Cells, Columns, and Rows

This video provides an overview about inserting, deleting, and changing the size of rows and columns. Even if you have plenty of experience with Excel, you still might learn a tip or two from this video!

Rounding Up Dollar Amounts to 99 Cents

You can use spreadsheet software to round up your retail prices to 99 cents. For example, if a product's price is $13.50, you can round that up to $13.99. This video shows you how to round up prices for multiple products all at once.

Formatting UPCs

When you open a CSV spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, it deletes leading zeros and changes any digit greater than 12 to scientific notation. Here's how to reformat scientific notation and format UPCs to include leading zeroes.

Reformat Scientific Notation in Excel

If your Product or System ID appears to have a Plus Sign symbol (+) in it, then Microsoft Excel has formatted it as scientific notation. This will cause issues with the import process, so these need to be reformatted.

1. Highlight the cells or column that you will reformat.
2. Right-click inside the highlighted cells and click on Format Cells.
3. Under Category, click on Number.
4. Set the Decimal Places to 0.
5. Click OK.

Format UPCs to Avoid Missing Leading Zeros in Excel

Since UPC is usually a 12-digit or 13-digit number, we can use a formula to make sure leading zeros are not deleted.

1. Insert a blank column next to the UPC column to create a temporary workspace where you can add the leading zeroes
2. In the first row of the temporary column, in the cell adjacent to the first UPC row, enter the following formula:
   =text(A2, “000000000000”)
   • Replace A2 with the cell where the first adjacent UPC is found. In the image above, for example, the formula uses E3 instead of A2. “000000000000” is 12 zeroes to represent the 12-digit UPC number.
3. Copy and past the formula into the temporary column.
4. Copy and paste the corrected UPCs from the temporary column back to the UPC column. Be sure to right-click and paste values only. (See instructions in the Change Formulas to Text section below).

Open a CSV File Without Scientific Notation

If you prefer to save yourself the trouble of reformatting scientific notation after you've opened your file, you can take a few extra steps before opening it. This video guides you through the process:

Auto Fill

You can use Auto Fill to quickly input data into your spreadsheet without copying and pasting. The video below shows you how to use Auto Fill:

Flash Fill

Use Flash Fill to quickly clean up your data so you don't have to use more involved actions like retyping, creating formulas, or searching and replacing. Watch the video below to find out how you can use Flash Fill!

VLookup

You can use VLookup to search for data across columns. While the eTailPet system makes it possible for you to not need this technique, using VLookup in your spreadsheet can potentially save you time.

XLookup

XLookup is a newer version of VLookup available in Microsoft Office 365. If you've used VLookup before, XLookup is more intuitive. While the eTailPet system makes it possible for you to not need this technique, using XLookup in your spreadsheet can potentially save you time.

Related Topics

Importing Products Best Practices and Troubleshooting

Adding and Importing Products

Quick Start: How to Set Up Inventory for Your Store

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