Magento 2 Backend Exploration: Customer Groups

The following article continues our exploration of the Magento 2 backend. Below, we’d like to draw your attention to a section that contains customer groups. We show how to edit and add them. Other screens from the Customers section are described here: All Customers and Now Online. Besides, you can find our exploration of Admin->Sales (Orders, Invoices, Credit Memos, etc.) as well as the Products and Categories screens from Catalog. 

Magento 2 Customer Groups

You can all customer groups under Customers-> Customer Groups.

Control elements

The Customer Groups screen provides less control elements than other backend screens due to much less number of items in the grid. There is no need to apply mass actions or use search, so no search field or a dropdown is available. 

However, the top right area looks quite familiar. The Customer Groups grid offers filters, grid views switcher, available columns, customers per page, and pagination. 

Let’s explore each control element individually. First, we’d like to draw your attention to the filters section. It lets you narrow down the selection of customer groups by choosing one of the following three filters: ID, Group, Tax Class.

To customize the appearance of the Customer Groups grid, enable/disable the four columns:

• ID;

• Group;

• Tax Class;

• Action.

If you’ve changed the appearance of the Customer Groups grid, you can save it as a new view for further usage. Hit the Default View icon and click “Save View As”:

The default Customer Groups grid

By default, the Customer Groups grid consists of just four columns mentioned above.

You can delete all groups except NOT LOGGED IN. Also, they are all editable. 

How to edit a customer group in Magento 2

To edit a customer group, hit the Select link in the Action column and choose Edit.

You can change the name of the selected customer group as well as select a new tax class.

Hit Save Customer Group when finished. 

How to add a new customer group in Magento 2

To add a new customer group, hit the Add New Customer Group on the Customer Groups screen. 

Next, type the name of your new group and select its tax class. 

Hit Save Customer Group when finished.

How to Import Customer Groups to Magento 2

To import customers with customer groups, we recommend using the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. The module transfers all the corresponding data to Magento 2 quickly and automatically. Imagine that you have to migrate from your old Magento 1 website or another e-commerce platform to a Magento 2 store. Create an export file with customers on your former site and transfer it to a server or a Dropbox account. Now, you can follow these steps:

Go to System->Improved Import/Export->Import Jobs and hit the “Add New Job” button.

Under General Settings, enable the new job, type its title, and select the manual run frequency if you need more than one transfer. Next, you can choose a language (locale) and enable/disable several more features.

Now, you can proceed to the Import Settings section. Here, you can enable/disable API, choose Customers Main File in the Entity dropdown, and select a platform to import data from (Magento 1). Our extension also lets you remove up-sell and cross-sell products.

In Import Behavior, choose Add/Update from the dropdown, select a validation strategy, set a limit on errors, and specify separators.

As for the Import Source section, it lets you select CSV or another standard as your import file type. Next, specify your import source: a server, Dropbox account, URL, or directly upload. 

To start importing customers and customer groups to Magento 2, hit “Save & Run” in the top right corner of the screen. Now, our extension will transfer all the corresponding data to your new Magento 2 store. For further information, follow the link below and contact our support:

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension

How to Export Customer Groups from Magento 2

As for the export procedure, it can also be based on the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. For instance, you need to provide a CRM system with your registered customers. The module not only automates the default export process but also lets you transfer all the related data to any external system without modifying anything manually. You can export customer groups from Magento 2 along with customers. Follow these steps to achieve your goal:

Under System->Improved Import/Export->Export Jobs, create a new export job: hit the “Add New Job” button.

Go to the General Settings section to enable the job and specify its title. Next, select a frequency (e.g., every day at 3:00 am if you want to provide CRM with updates daily). Choose a local file language and divide additional attributes if necessary. 

Now, you can proceed to Export Settings. Here, Improved Import & Export lets you select Customers Main File from the Entity dropdown and enable Consecutive Export to transfer the required data.

As for the Export Behavior tab, it lets you select a format of your export file and specify separators.

In Export Source, you can choose the final destination of the data transfer. Select FTP, SFTP, or a data file and check the connection before going any further.

Next, the extension lets you map attributes and add filters.

To start the export process, hit “Save & Run” in the top right corner of the screen. You can find more information regarding how to export customers from Magento 2 on our website. Follow the link below and contact our support:

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension

Improved Import & Export Features

Now, let’s talk a little bit about the features of the Improved Import & Export extension that simplify your daily routine related to the import and export processes of all Magento 2 entities including customers and their groups. Our plugin provides the ability to streamline several different techniques for moving customers and the related data between your e-commerce website and other platforms. You can transfer data files, use intermediary services, or establish a direct API connection between the two systems. As a store administrator, you can configure and automate all import and export processes right in the admin section of your e-commerce website.

Automated Import & Export Processes

You can effortlessly automate data transfers in two different ways with the help of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. It lets you create schedules or configure event-based triggers. We describe both mechanisms below. Let’s take a look at schedules first.

Schedules

The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension leverages the default cron syntax to create import/export schedules. Thus, moving Magento 2 entities to/from a remote platform becomes entirely automated. The module provides the ability to specify any custom intervals enabling any schedule suitable for any business needs. At the same time, it is possible to select one of the predefined intervals – note that they are also fully customizable – as well as create import and export profiles that have no schedules. It is also necessary to mention that you can launch every profile manually.

Events

Now, let’s focus on event-based triggers. They represent the second way of automating data transfers in Magento 2. Unlike schedules, event-based triggers enable real-time updates. You only have to create and configure a trigger that launches import/export processes. 

Specify conditions to synchronize two systems right after a specific action takes place. Select an event that launches customer data import or export. Thus, the data is transferred to a remote platform in real-time. For instance, you can configure the plugin to provide an external system with a customer data update right after the new changes to the existing customer account are applied. 

You can also create and configure triggers to start import processes. For further information, check this article: How to Run Magento 2 Import or Export After Specific System Event or Process.

Advanced Mapping Features

Different attribute standards cause numerous problems when it comes to the integration between the two systems. Luckily, Improved Import & Export has several tools designed to avoid them. It eliminates the necessity to edit attributes and their values manually in a data file. You can also match categories as well as generate missing data right during the import. Every configuration is saved and applied to further updates so that you can automate import/export processes entirely.

Mapping Presets

The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension provides a very straightforward way of matching external attributes to ones used internally. The module offers a bunch of predefined mapping schemes called mapping presets. Use them to match ALL third-party attributes to ones used in Magento 2 in a few clicks. 

When you configure a new job, choose a suitable preset, and let the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension do all the work for you. Our module analyzes the input data and matches all third-party designations to the internal ones. The necessity to discover third-party attributes that should be replaced is eliminated. So are all manual interactions with data files. Here is how everything looks in the admin:

Matching Interface

Since it is impossible to create enough presets to cover all possible integrations, we’ve added a matching interface to every import and export profile generated by the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. Therefore, you can freely map attributes in the Magento 2 backend manually. Select an entity, choose a system attribute, and specify the corresponding external one in front of it as shown below:

The extension lets you add hardcoded (default) attribute values to the “Default Value” column. They are provided to all items that us the appropriate attribute.

Filters

Filters are another feature that helps you streamline Magento 2 export. They narrow down the selection of items in a data file. Follow these steps to master the tool:

• Click the ‘Add Filter’ button;
• Select an entity;
• Select a system attribute that will be used as a basis of a new filter;
• Specify parameters applied for filtering;
• Repeat the previous steps to create more filters.

Depending on the selected attribute, filter parameters may be different. Use filters to eliminate unnecessary items providing an external system with required data only. Everything is intuitive and straightforward:

Attribute Values Mapping

Besides, you can match attribute values with the help of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension, simplifying your import/export routine dramatically. No incorrect designations will prevent import processes. To map attribute values, our plugin offers an interface similar to the one we’ve just described above. Just choose a third-party designation and specify a corresponding internal one in front of it while importing customers to Magento 2 to avoid problems caused by third-party attribute values. Repeat the process until no external designations are left. For further information, read this article: Attribute Values Mapping.

Attribute Values Editing

Besides, you can edit attribute values in bulk using the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 module. Utilize the following rules:

• Add a prefix to multiple attribute values;
• Add a suffix to numerous attribute values;
• Split various attribute values;
• Merge multiple attribute values.

Note that you can combine these rules, applying them to multiple values simultaneously. The plugin also introduces an opportunity to create various conditions to increase the efficiency of editing. For further information, check this article: How to Modify Attribute Values During Import and Export in Magento 2.

Category Mapping

When you need to import multiple products, our extension also comes in handy. It not only lets you transfer thousands of items rapidly fast but also helps with modifying external catalogs. If imported products are linked to a different catalog structure, you can leverage category mapping. 

The Improved Import & Export extension lets you import products without editing third-party categories manually or applying changes after the update is transferred. Our module enables you to match external product categories to ones used internally right in your admin. The process looks as follows:

Furthermore, it is possible to create new categories on the fly. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 module lets you select a parent category and specify a new one related to it. Both features are described here: Category Mapping.

Attributes On The Fly

As for the ability to create attributes on the fly, it lets you add missing data right during the import process. The Improved Import & Export extension offers the following general form, where you can specify parameters necessary to get all missing attributes automatically:

Attribute|attribute_property_name:attribute_property_value|…

The procedure is described in more detail here: Product attributes import.

Extended Connectivity Options

Now, let’s say a few words about the extended connectivity options of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 module. Our tool introduces a bunch of new options that are not available in Magento 2 by default.

Multiple File Standards

As we all know, CSV is the only standard supported by Magento. However, you are no longer limited to it with the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. In addition to the default format, the module lets you use XML, JSON, ODS, and Excel files. Thus, the necessity to convert everything into CSV and vice versa is eliminated! And if your data file is compressed, the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension will extract it automatically.

Multiple File Sources

Another vital enhancement to the default functionality is support for multiple sources. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension lets you leverage the following connection options to transfer data file:

• FTP/SFTP. Transfer data files using a local or remote server.
• Dropbox. Use a Dropbox account to establish a connection between the two systems. Alternatively, you can rely on Box, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, and Amazon Drive.
• URL. A direct URL can be used to import a data file as well.

Alternative Ways of Import & Export

However, the Improved Import & Export extension doesn’t bound you with file transfers only. It introduces two exclusive ways of import and export that are not represented in Magento 2 by default. 

Firstly, the module lets you establish direct API connections. It provides the ability to leverage REST for the Magento 2 synchronization with external systems. At the same time, the plugin also relies on other API standards if necessary: you can also leverage SOAP and GraphQL. Note that all API connections support other extension’s features.

Secondly, you have a chance to use intermediary services to transfer data. The extension works with Google Sheets, Office 365 Excel, and Zoho Sheet. Use them to transfer any data to Magento 2. Below, you can see how to import products with the help of Google Sheets:

And of course, the Improved Import & Export extension opens completely new possibilities with support for WSDL and WADL.

The video below displays other details of our extension:

Final Words

Now, you know how to create and edit customer groups in Magento 2. As for the corresponding data transfers, they become dramatically simplified if you use the Improved Import & Export module. For further possibilities of our extension, follow the link below and contact our support:

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension