How To Import/Export Categories to Magento 2

Below, you will find a brief description of how to import/export categories between two Magento 2 websites. Unfortunately, this functionality is not available by default. Magento 2 leaves you alone with a huge category tree. You either need to recreate it manually or rely on third parties. So, welcome to our Magento 2 categories import tutorial. We know for sure how to import and export Magento 2 categories most efficiently.

The Magento StackExchange discussion inspired this post: question by Rafael Corrêa Gomes; answer by KAndy. However, it is only a partial overview of the Magento 2 category import and export. A full-featured guide on how to import and export categories, with all attributes explained can be found here: Magento 2 Categories Import Guide.

Magento 2 Categories Import & Export

If something is not available in Magento 2 by default, you can create a module that adds the necessary functionality. Of course, it is not the easiest way to get the desired features, but it can be the only available one. Luckily, the Magento 2 ecosystem is huge and there are already lots of third-party extensions that allow to enhance the platform’s default functionality. Often it is not necessary to recreate the wheel, since someone has already developed a Magento 2 extension with the feature demanded in your case. It is even possible to get key Enterprise Edition features on a Community-based website, but what about Magento categories import/export?

There are tons of data transfer solutions developed to enhance the default functionality of Magento 2, including our Improved Import extension.

Improved Import and Export of Magento 2 Categories

Improved Import and Export for Magento 2 is irreplaceable when it comes to data transfers. Be it categories or any other Magento 2 entity, the extension processes the entity specifics to the tiniest detail and allows performing flexible import and export based on the improved data transfer logic.

Import Behaviour

Thus, the Improved Import Magento 2 module allows to import of categories with different behaviors: Add / Edit, Delete, and Replace. The tool allows you to get all the necessary data within your Magento 2 store in the most precise manner.

File Formats & Sources

Improved Import and Export support various data sources which help you increase the efficiency of your export and make data transfers highly personalized. Google Drive and Google Sheets, FTP/SFTP, REST and SOAP API, Dropbox, URL, and file upload can be import sources for your Magento 2 category tree.

Our Magento 2 extension also works with multiple file formats, including CSV, ODS, XLSX, XML, and JSON files.

Attributes

Import and export files have a certain table structure, you can compose such files from scratch using our sample file in the Master Category Import Table. A CSV for Magento 2 categories import consists of the following attributes:

• name – the name of a category;
• url_path – the URL to a category;
• url_key – the URL key of a category;
• description – a column for category descriptions;
• is_active – this attribute shows whether the category is enabled or disabled;
• include_in_menu – this column shows whether the category should be included in the main menu on the frontend;
• is_anchor – this parameter is necessary for layered navigation;
• custom_layout_update – the custom XML layout update of a category.
• Look for more attributes in our Master Table.

Other Features

As for other features available with the Improved Import Magento 2 extension, they allow setting category position and location. First of all, you can import categories by name and the full path to the category  (Default Category/Women/Dresses). Besides, it is possible to leverage parent category IDs to run the import process. You can find all these features described here: Magento 2 Categories Import Guide.

Magento Import of Categories

Once the extension is installed and enabled, configure the general settings for your import job. Then select the ‘Categories’ entity to import categories to your Magento 2 website from another one. After that, proceed to the import behavior settings, import source, and file format selections.

Don’t forget to map the data if needed. Run the job to see your categories import done. This process is described in detail in the extension’s manual here: Improved Import & Export Manual.

Final Words

Although Magento 2 doesn’t support category import by default, you can get the missing functionality with the Improved Import & Export extension. The module provides the ability to import the entire category tree to Magento 2, using various handy features, such as category mapping. Follow the link below and contact our support regarding the Magento 2 categories import:

Get Firebear Improved Import Magento 2 Extension

Magento 2 Categories Import & Export FAQ

Let’s take a look at other nuances of importing and exporting Magento 2 categories with the help of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension.