How to Apply Filters to Magento 2 Import and Export

Imagine a situation when there is a massive data file with thousands of SKUs, but you need to import items with a price lower than $100 or products from a specific category. Or let’s assume that you need to create an export file that contains products that are enabled, have a price higher than 0, are in stock, and are visible in Catalog and Search or just in Catalog. How to do that? You need to apply filters to Magento 2 import and export or create import and export conditions. The following Magento filter guide sheds light on various details of both processes.

It’s not a secret the functionality of Magento 2 has lots of limitations. Of course, the platform offers much broader opportunities in comparison to its predecessor, but there is still room for improvement, especially in the area of data filtering. Thus, you can neither apply Magento 2 import and export filters nor create import/export conditions to narrow down the output or transfer only the necessary information into the system. However, it is not all that bad.

We firmly believe that Magento wouldn’t be cool without its community and a vast ecosystem of third-party extensions. Both factors provide a positive impact on the platform dramatically extending its borders concerning productivity and functionality. As you might have already guessed, the ability to apply Magento 2 import/export filters and create import/export conditions is entirely based on a third-party solution, so meet the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension.

The module provides the ability to create highly configurable and flexible import and export profiles (jobs), where you can specify the most precise conditions regarding each process. Thus, even the most demanding business requirements are satisfied. Let’s take a look at filtering opportunities offered by the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension and then proceed to other features.

Magento 2 Import and Export Filters and Conditions

With the help of the module, you can quickly narrow down the selection of items you want to export.

Magento 2 Filters: Export

Below, we describe how a basic export filter works. You need to follow the steps below to explore the feature:

1. Create a new export profile and proceed to the section with filters. There, you should click the ‘Add Filter’ button;
2. Now, you can select an entity that was previously enabled in the ‘Export Behaviour’ section. It is available in the ‘Entity’ column;
3. Next, it is necessary to specify a basis for a new filter. In the ‘Field’ column, select a system attribute you’d like to use to narrow down the selection of exported items;
4. In the ‘Filter’ column, specify the parameters that will be applied for filtering.

Now, you can repeat these steps to create more filters. It is also necessary to mention that parameters applied for filtering vary, depending on the selected attribute.

The following gif image illustrates how to narrow down the selection of exported orders by applying a filter based on their subtotal. In the ‘Entity’ column, we select ‘Orders’, in the ‘Field’ column – specify the ‘subtotal’ attribute, and in ‘Filter’ set a range.

To delete a filter, click the black bin icon. Also, note that there is a left dotted area near the ‘Entity’ column. Click on it to drag and drop the row.

You must admit that it is a very intuitive way to narrow down the selection of items for the export procedure. At the same time, we’ve illustrated only a basic solution. The Improved Import & Export extension offers much more extensive opportunities when it comes to applying Magento 2 export filters and creating various export conditions. Please, contact our support team for further information. You can leave your inquiries here: Firebear Help Center. To make the long story short, let’s take a look at Magento 2 import filters and conditions.

Magento 2 Filters: Import

The situation with import filters is slightly different. The problem here is based on unique attribute standards used by third-party systems: you cannot just take any data file and create filters and conditions based on external attributes.

However, it is not even a highly demanding feature. Therefore, we haven’t implemented it in the Improved Import & Export extension yet. While the module offers robust mapping capabilities, it doesn’t let you use filters on import. But if there are enough clients willing to implement this functionality, we will add this feature to our update schedule. 

Right now, you can quickly match the import file to the default requirements of Magento 2 and then update your database with the desired information.

To get more information about import filters and conditions, please, contact our help center. Use the following link: Firebear Help Center. We, however, should describe more features that can be applied along with Magento 2 import filters and export conditions.

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension

Other Notable Features to Enhance Magento 2 Import and Export

Below, you can see other tools provided by our extensions that enhance import and export processes along with Magento 2 import and export filters. Let’s proceed with our exploration of attribute mapping.

Attributes Mapping. The Improved Import & Export extension provides an easy way to match external attributes to the ones used in Magento. Let’s be honest: most import files have a custom structure so you cannot import them to your store directly. The same is true for export: you can create a default output file, but it is suitable for Magento 2 only. Thus, you need either edit both import and export files manually or apply mapping right in the admin section of your e-commerce store. Let’s focus on the import side of the process.

Attribute Values Mapping. In addition to attributes, you can also map attribute values with the help of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. It is no longer necessary to do both procedures manually. Thus, Improved Import & Export extension becomes the number one time-saver when it comes to seamless data transfers between Magento 2 and external systems. The attribute values mapping feature allows you to match external attribute values to the corresponding values used in Magento 2 at the stage of configuring attributes. Everything is available in the mapping section described in the previous chapter of this article. You only need to select an external attribute you want to match to the one used in Magento 2. Perform the mapping and repeat the same steps for other attributes and their values.

Category Mapping. Another mapping feature lets you match external categories to the existing ones. Thus, the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension allows adjusting categories of products from the import table in a user-friendly manner. 

Attributes Import and Export. Although you cannot import/export attributes as a separate entity by means of the default Magento tools, it is always possible to leverage the corresponding functionality of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. The traditional approach to attribute migration requires tons of manual work to be performed. In the case of our extension, you can easily import/export the corresponding data within just a few clicks.

Attributes On The Fly. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension keeps you from issues caused by the import file’s lack of attributes. With the help of the plugin, you can effortlessly create them on the fly during import.

Extended Connectivity. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension supports multiple file formats while Magento works only with CSV. It provides the ability to import/export data using XML, JSON, ODS, and Excel files. Besides, the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension enables you to leverage the FTP/SFTP connection. An alternative file source is represented with Dropbox support. Direct URL uploads represent the third possible way to establish the connection. Also, the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension allows importing data from Google Sheets:

Advanced Scheduling. The last feature we’d like to draw your attention to in this article is the ability to create update schedules. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 module supports cron so that you can use its standard syntax to schedule both import and export profiles for automated execution. 

Watch this video for further information:

Improved Import & Export FAQ

Let’s take a look at other nuances of transferring data to Magento 2 with the help of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension.

Conclusion

Now, you know that our extension not only allows applying filters and creating conditions for import and export, but it also offers the most flexible mapping interface and supports scheduling. Besides, you can leverage multiple file formats and sources or connect to external systems directly via API to run data transfers. For further information about Magento 2 filters and other data transfer opportunities, contact our support. You can do that here: Firebear Help Center. Also, check the module here:

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension