# Requirements for import files

If you want to import your product information into Channable, you can use an import file/data feed such as an XML, CSV, TXT, Google Spreadsheet, or JSON. We have several tips and requirements for using an import file, which can be read in this article.

{% hint style="info" %}
This article is a reference for creating import files. Most export channels may require additional or different fields.
{% endhint %}

### General requirements

* The data feed must be available at an online URL so it can be downloaded at any moment.
* The data feed must be updated at the same URL (preferably at least once a day) with the latest product information (stock, prices, etc.).
* The data feed must be in one of these formats: XML, CSV, TXT, Google Spreadsheet, or JSON.
* CSV, TXT, XML, and JSON feeds can be compressed as `.gz` or `.zip` files.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** We only support flat XML and JSON structures. We don’t import values from XML attributes. (e.g. for `<color attribute="color">pink</color>`, the `attribute="color"` part can’t be imported.)
{% endhint %}

### Limits

* The number of imports per project is, by default, limited to 50.
* Each imported file may contain at most 10 million items.
* Each imported file may be no larger than 10 GB.

[Contact support](https://www.channable.com/contact) if you run into these limits so we can help you think about a solution.

### Fields

If you're building your own file (XML, CSV, or TXT) without experience, it can be hard to imagine which fields to include. Below is a standard overview of fields categorized by example/extra information and status.

| Field                      | Example / extra information                                | Status      |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- |
| additional\_image\_link    | Links to extra images, separated by commas                 | Recommended |
| age\_group                 | Adult/kids                                                 | Recommended |
| availability               | In stock / out of stock                                    | Mandatory   |
| brand                      |                                                            | Mandatory   |
| color                      |                                                            | Recommended |
| condition                  | New / used                                                 | Recommended |
| description                |                                                            | Mandatory   |
| delivery\_time             | 2-3 days                                                   | Recommended |
| gender                     | Male/female                                                | Recommended |
| google\_product\_category  |                                                            | Optional    |
| gtin/ean                   | EAN13-code                                                 | Recommended |
| id                         | 012608-BLUE-XXL (unique id preferably with color and size) | Mandatory   |
| image\_link                | Main image link                                            | Mandatory   |
| item\_group\_id            | 012608-BLUE (variant ID preferably with color)             | Recommended |
| link                       | <http://www.onlinestore.com/item>                          | Mandatory   |
| material                   | Material of the item, e.g. 100% cotton                     | Recommended |
| mpn                        | Manufacturer product number                                | Recommended |
| price                      |                                                            | Mandatory   |
| product\_type              | Breadcrumb of the item, e.g. men/sweaters                  | Mandatory   |
| sale\_price                | Discounted price                                           | Mandatory   |
| shipping\_price            |                                                            | Recommended |
| size                       |                                                            | Mandatory   |
| stock                      | Amount in stock, e.g. 12                                   | Recommended |
| title                      |                                                            | Mandatory   |
| percentage\_variant\_sizes | Percentage of available sizes per color (variant)          | Recommended |
| percentage\_product\_sizes | Percentage of available sizes per article                  | Recommended |

{% hint style="info" %}
Important: This article is to be used as a reference only as most export channels will require you to import additional/different fields.
{% endhint %}

### Structuring your file

* [Learn about delimiters](/import-data/import-how-to/import-your-product-data/import-via-a-data-file/requirements-for-import-files/delimiters.md)
* [Learn about quoting](/import-data/import-how-to/import-your-product-data/import-via-a-data-file/requirements-for-import-files/quoting.md)
* [Learn about encoding](/import-data/import-how-to/import-your-product-data/import-via-a-data-file/requirements-for-import-files/encoding.md)


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