Bulk photo upload with zip

Collect photos of multiple products in a single zip with folders named after option codes and upload them from the File import screen; step-by-step guide and video.

To upload photos of multiple products at once, create a folder for each product, collect the folders into a single zip file, and upload the zip from the File import screen with the Photo process type. This page explains bulk photo upload step by step; the same explanation is available as a video below.

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For all screen areas and other file types, see the File import page.

Before you start

  • Uploading replaces existing photos in the media list you select for the product. If there are two photos for a product in the zip, only these two photos remain in that list after upload. Include any old photos you want to keep in the zip.
  • Photos cannot be uploaded this way for bundle and assortment products. Use the option code of the product linked to the bundle.
  • Formats must be JPG, JPEG, PNG, or GIF. WEBP and other files are silently skipped.

1. Prepare folders

Create a folder for each product. The folder name must be the product's option code; copy it exactly from the Option column in the Products list. SKU or barcode cannot be used as folder names.

Put photos inside the folder. File names consist of the option code, underscore, and sequence number: _1 is the first image (cover), _2 is the second image. If there is no number after the underscore, the order is undefined.

CVL000027/
├─ CVL000027_1.jpg
└─ CVL000027_2.jpg
CVL000018001/
├─ CVL000018001_1.jpg
└─ CVL000018001_2.jpg

Folders must be single-level: subfolders inside folders or photos directly in the root of the zip will not match any product.

2. Create the zip file

  1. In Finder or File Explorer, select all product folders together (using ⌘ / Ctrl).
  2. Right-click and select Compress. On Windows, choose Send to › Compressed (zip) folder.
  3. You can name the zip file as you wish.

Compress the product folders themselves, not the parent folder. When you open the zip, product folders should appear at the top level:

Correct Incorrect
Archive.zip › CVL000027/, CVL000018001/ Photos.zip › Photos/ › CVL000027/

3. Upload the zip

  1. Type file in the console's top search box and select File import. The same screen is also under the PIM & Catalog menu, under the Operations heading.
  2. Verify the correct company is selected in the Company field.
  3. Select Photo as the Process type.
  4. Choose the media list to which photos will be linked in the Media list field (usually Default Asset List).
  5. Drag and drop the zip file into the box or click the box to select it.
  6. Click Upload at the top right. In the popup, verify the file name, company, and media list, then confirm with Upload.

The file is queued and appears as Processing in the File states list.

4. Check the result

  1. The process usually takes from a few seconds to a minute. The list refreshes automatically; you can also track with Refresh.
  2. When the status is Sent, photos have been linked to products. If you see Failed, read the message in the Reason column.
  3. Open Result details from the menu at the end of the row (Row actions). Steps are listed in order: linking, uploading each photo, linking to products, and finally Products updated. The step with an error is shown in red.
  4. Find products in the Products list: thumbnails should appear. In the product detail's Images tab, photos are ordered by file name; the first is the cover image.

Common issues

  • Photo did not appear for a product. Check if the folder name exactly matches the option code (including spaces and case) and if the folder is at the top level of the zip. If the product is a bundle or assortment, use the linked product's option code.
  • File "Failed" with reason "Value cannot be null." A folder in the zip did not match any product; usually a bundle product or a mistyped option code.
  • Old photos disappeared. Upload replaces photos in that media list. Add photos you want to keep to the zip and upload again.
  • Order is wrong. Make sure file names end with numbers like _1, _2.
  • File stuck at "Processing" for a long time. If it takes more than a few minutes, notify your system administrator.