1WorldSync Customer Community

CommunityMod_WM · 4 weeks ago

Spreadsheet import is one of Syndigo’s programmatic enhanced content creation solutions. A simple spreadsheet with basic product information, marketing copy, and creative assets is ingested to produce ready-to-publish enhanced content that follows a consistent layout across many products.

This solution allows Brands to build hundreds—or even thousands—of enhanced content projects at scale without the repetitive task of creating layouts one at a time.

Who Should Use This Solution?

All Enhanced Content subscribers have access to Spreadsheet Imports at no additional cost.

It’s especially well-suited for Brands that:

Reuse the same layout across many products (same content types in the same order, with differences only in the assets themselves: images, videos, or text).
OR
Need to quickly add a module to existing enhanced content, regardless of the consistency of layouts between products
Would like to avoid the need to manually create and update enhanced content one product at a time
Have large product catalogs - If there is a need to build enhanced content for 50 or more products at once, this solution offers a significant reduction in the required time and effort.
Store and manage digital creative assets in a non-Syndigo platform, such as a DAM, that offers direct download links
Need to create or update enhanced content on a recurring basis (weekly, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually, etc.)
Have a high degree of comfortability utilizing spreadsheets in workstreams today to organize product information and marketing media

Before Requesting a Spreadsheet Import

Analyze the desired enhanced content layouts and the business need. Let the following criteria serve as a guide to better understand if Enhanced Content Spreadsheet Import is the best fit for the Brand.

There is no maximum number of widgets, and there is no limit to the count of same-type widgets that can be created in a single layout.

The desired layouts consist entirely or mostly of the following content types and configurations:
- Carousels
  - Any number of steps may be added to a Carousel (no maximum).
  - Widget Layout: Slide Show only
  - Image Position: Center
  - Video Position: Left
  - Text Position: Left
  - Font Opacity: 100
  - Color: Black Text, White Background
  - Video Snapshots are not supported.
  - Video Loop option is not supported.
  - Spreadsheet fields may be assigned to the following properties:
    1. Asset
    2. Caption
    3. Description
    4. Image Alt Text
    5. Video Accessibility File
      - If a .VTT file is not included in the spreadsheet, the Syndigo system auto-generates one automatically.
- Document Gallery
  - Any number of documents may be added to a Document Gallery (no maximum).
  - Spreadsheet fields may be assigned to the following properties:
    1. Asset
    2. Caption
    3. Description
- Feature Set: Banner Arrangement
  - Banners are restricted to (1) feature per widget.
  - Text Position: Below
  - Spreadsheet fields may be assigned to the following properties:
    1. Asset
    2. Caption
    3. Description
    4. Image Alt Text
- Feature Set: Multi-Column Arrangement
  - Any number of features may be added to a multi-column Feature Set (no maximum).
  - Asset Size: Medium
  - Allow Enlarged Viewing: False
  - Video Snapshots are not supported.
  - Spreadsheet fields may be assigned to the following properties:
    1. Asset
    2. Caption
    3. Description
    4. Image Alt Text
    5. Video Accessibility File
      - If a .VTT file is not included in the spreadsheet, the Syndigo system auto-generates one automatically.
- Feature Set: Stacked Left or Right Arrangement
  - Any number of features may be added to a Feature Set with the stacked-left or stacked-right arrangement (no maximum).
    To create a zig-zag arrangement, multiple left/right feature sets may be created in alternating order.
  - Widget Layout: Stacked
  - Asset Size: Medium
  - Allow Enlarged Viewing: False
  - Text Wrapping: False
  - Spreadsheet fields may be assigned to the following properties:
    1. Asset
    2. Caption
    3. Description
    4. Image Alt Text
    5. Video Accessibility File
      - If a .VTT file is not included in the spreadsheet, the Syndigo system auto-generates one automatically.
- Image Gallery
  - Any number of images may be added to an Image Gallery widget (no maximum).
  - Widget Layout: Focused
  - Spreadsheet fields may be assigned to the following properties:
    1. Asset
    2. Caption
    3. Description
    4. Image Alt Text
- Text
  - Text widgets consist of only one text element.
    A single spreadsheet field may be assigned to a Text widget.
- Videos
  - Any number of videos may be added to a Videos widget (no maximum).
  - Widget Layout: Slider
  - Video Snapshots are not supported.
  - Spreadsheet fields may be assigned to the following properties:
    1. Asset
    2. Caption
    3. Description
    4. Image Alt Text
    5. Video Accessibility File
      - If a .VTT file is not included in the spreadsheet, the Syndigo system auto-generates one automatically.
Note: Content types not included in the supported list can still be added manually after the initial programmatic build. Widget configurations of any collections previously created by Enhanced Content Spreadsheet Import may be modified manually at any time. We recommend using Enhanced Content Spreadsheet Imports to quickly establish a strong foundation of base enhanced content, which marketing teams can then expand with additional, more complex widgets as needed.
Layouts are consistent (identical or very similar) across many products.
- Enhanced content layouts refer to the content modules/types and order in which they appear.
- An example of a layout that many products share is where the first widget is a video, followed by three banner images, and a 3-column module is displayed at the end. The creative assets vary from product to product but they all generally follow this template, some products having all (5) widgets while others may have fewer.

Data can be organized into the format of a Spreadsheet.
The easiest way to get started is by exporting the Attributes Spreadsheet from the Syndigo Products index to serve as a template. Many DAMs and other similar platforms also provide exports in the correct format. Learn more about how to retrieve this template in the article: Syndigo Enhanced Content Data View & Attributes

Reference the below table as an example of a well-formatted spreadsheet.

Product Name	GTIN	Banner Image 1	Banner Image 2	Video
Men’s Running Shoes	123456789	https://mybranddam.com/mens-running-shoes/banner-image-1.jpg	https://mybranddam.com/mens-running-shoes/banner-image-2.jpg	https://mybranddam.com/brand-video.mp4
Women’s Running Shoes	987654321	https://mybranddam.com/womens-running-shoes/banner-image-1.jpg	https://mybranddam.com/womens-running-shoes/banner-image-2.jpg	https://mybranddam.com/brand-video.mp4
Kids’ Running Shoes	032156497	https://mybranddam.com/kids-running-shoes/banner-image-1.jpg	https://mybranddam.com/kids-running-shoes/banner-image-2.jpg	https://mybranddam.com/brand-video.mp4

A properly organized Spreadsheet will have the following characteristics:

A header row is required with clear and unique names for each column.
Each product record has its own row.
- There should be a distinct column for the product name and each unique identifier.
Every row includes the unique product identifier (GTIN, UPC, MFG Part #, etc.) that matches on existing product records in the Syndigo account. It should be the same identifier type for all products.
Beyond the product information columns, each subsequent column corresponds to a single, distinct widget. Each column must have a clear, unique name in the header that indicates the content type. (e.g., “Video,” “Banner 1,” “Banner 2”, “Banner 3”, “Feature 1”).
Populate the widget-specific columns with:
- Assets: Each image, video, or document asset should have its own field (maximum 1 asset reference per field), and these fields should contain a Direct Download Link (DDL) / direct download URL - not a webpage or directory where assets are staged.
- Marketing copy: Plain text inserted directly in the appropriate fields.
There should only be one sheet or tab in the spreadsheet file. Delete any extraneous sheets if necessary.

If data cannot be organized in spreadsheet form, Syndigo offers alternative programmatic content creation solutions - ask an account representative for guidance.

Steps to Submit a Spreadsheet Import Request

Confirm Product records have been created in Syndigo. Ensure product records exist in the Brand’s account with unique identifiers that match the spreadsheet.
Ensure there is one spreadsheet per distinct Enhanced Content Layout. There should be no more than one desired layout represented in a single spreadsheet. If there are multiple layouts desired, a separate spreadsheet file must be created for each.
- Example: 50 products should have the following layout: Banner 1, Banner 2, a 4-Column Feature Set, and a Video. Another 75 products require a Video, a Carousel, and then a 4-Column Feature Set. These are two distinct layouts that cannot share a single spreadsheet - these two sets of products must be split out into two different spreadsheets.
Connect to all desired Websites for Enhanced Content. At least one Enhanced Content website should be connected for any Generic collections being created by the import. If site-specific collections are being requested, please establish all applicable Enhanced Content website connections in advance of submitting the request.
Optional: Avoid uploading duplicative assets in the Syndigo Assets Library if possible. The spreadsheet import will download the files and upload them to the Asset Library automatically while enhanced content is being programmatically created, so there is no need to pre-upload files. Having duplicative files in the Asset Library will not impact the functionality of the import, but maintaining good account hygiene is always recommended.
Send a request to a Syndigo Account Representative. Email the Syndigo account representative assigned to the Brand with the subject line: Enhanced Content Spreadsheet Import. Include the following information:
- The account name to apply content (if you manage multiple Brands).
- The completed spreadsheet(s) attached or linked.
- Answers to these questions:
- How many spreadsheets are being provided?
- How many total products will be impacted?
- Is this a one-time job or an ongoing import? If ongoing, specify:
  - File delivery method (SFTP preferred. Syndigo can set up a dedicated SFTP for any Brand if needed).
  - Import frequency (weekly, monthly, or ad hoc).
- Which collections should be created?
  Collections refer to the target of the content. Define the target as a Language and Locale or a specific set of retailer websites, e.g., English, US – Generic or French, Canada – Walmart.
- Is there a deadline? If yes, please provide the date and any other relevant details. Note that the initial setup for a new layout typically takes 3–5 business days.
- Content publication preference:
  - Auto-publish the collections immediately, or
  - Leave in Draft status for Brand review. Brands may bulk publish through the Enhanced Content index at any time.
- Existing content handling: If products in the spreadsheet are associated with existing enhanced content of the same collection types (targets), choose one of the options below. (Skip this topic when the spreadsheet contains only new product records without enhanced content today - not applicable.)
- Override and replace old content.
  - This will delete all existing content and replace it with the data in the spreadsheet provided. Preserve existing widgets and stack new ones on top.
    - All widgets, both old and new, will be preserved and active/visible. Choosing this option indicates existing enhanced content is being expanded, not replaced.
  - Preserve but deactivate (hide) existing widgets, making only the new widgets active/visible.
    - The older widgets are saved, but hidden, in case the Brand team does not want them deleted – Perhaps to reference them in the future or to reactivate some older widgets if desired after the new content is created.
- Existing Project Handling: If products in the spreadsheet are associated with the same, existing enhanced content Projects (currently sharing content), choose one of the options below. (Skip this topic when the spreadsheet contains only new product records without enhanced content today – not applicable.)
  - Create a new Project for each Product – This will override any Products-to-Project relationships that exist in the account today. For each Product listed in the spreadsheet, a new individual Project will be created. Products will no longer share enhanced content.
  - Preserve the existing Project relationships – Specify this option if you do not want to separate Products from their currently assigned Projects. When the import is executed, the first Product in an existing Project encountered will determine which content is created. All Products listed in the spreadsheet after the first one will be skipped, to ensure they continue to share the same Project.

Summary

Enhanced Content Spreadsheet Imports are one of the easiest methods available to create consistent, templatized enhanced content at scale. By centralizing product data, copy, and assets in one spreadsheet, teams can save weeks of manual work while ensuring consistency across a large product catalog.

Reach out to a Syndigo representative today to get started with Spreadsheet Imports!