Import Products into Describely

Hit the ground running by importing your product data from a CSV, Excel, or PDF file, or an available connector!

In this article

• Overview
• How to get started
• Pro tips
• Learn more
• Troubleshooting

📌 Overview

Importing your product data is the first step to creating optimized, on-brand content with Describely. You can import products using a CSV, Excel workbook, PDF file, OR connect directly with your eCommerce platform using one of our built-in store connectors.

In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through how to upload your product catalog from a file and get everything organized so you’re ready to generate high-quality content.

If you're using a store connector, check out this article for a how-to guide just for you. 😉

🚀 How to Get Started

1. On the left sidebar, click Product Catalogs

2. On the far right, click Add Product and choose your import method (you can import via CSV—.csv or .xlsx, PDF, a store connector, or individually)

3. If importing via a file, drop your file into Describely and follow the prompts to locate your header row, choose whether to create a new Catalog from scratch or add to an existing catalog, and begin mapping your columns.

4.  If importing a PDF (otherwise, skip to step 5)

   1. Under Add Product, choose Browse More Plug-Ins to select the PDF option.

   2. Describely will attempt to identify the products in your file and their respective data!

   3. Enter any additional instructions to help the AI understand what details you want to extract, and how you'd like them structured.
   4. Consider that the product data found will be brought into your catalog as specific fields or "columns", organized by product title.
   5. If needed, try instructing the AI to re-name the fields it finds to match your internal system, only extract data points you care about, help it understand your document and where the product titles live, and more. 
5. Map your spreadsheet columns
   
   1. AI will auto map your columns to Describely’s default fields, but double check behind it and fill in any gaps.
   2. Title is mandatory—make sure it’s in your file.
   3. Include as much product data as you can (like descriptions, specifications, SEO keywords) to help the AI generate detailed, accurate content.
   4. You can map image URLs in a single comma-separated cell or across multiple columns. Image URLs must be publicly accessible so Describely can fetch them.

6. Import custom columns (if needed)

   1. Any of your columns that don't have a Describely equivalent can be mapped to a custom field one at a time OR all at once using the checkbox at the bottom of the mapping screen.
   2. Examples include material, size, color, or any other specifications you'd like to include in your content.

You’re done! Your product catalog is now imported and ready for content generation and optimization.

💡 Pro Tips

• See our deep dive guide below to ensure your file aligns with Describely’s requirements. This avoids import errors.

• Separate catalogs by category, seasonal launch, or assigned teammate for better product management.

• Describely's Product Keywords field can be especially helpful for SEO content optimization—don’t skip it!

• Make sure your image URLs are public—Describely won’t be able to access private links (e.g., Google Drive without permissions).

📚 Learn More

• Deep Dive: How to Import Existing or New Products via File

• FAQ: Catalog Import/Export Troubleshooting

• Using Describely with Shopify, WooCommerce, and More

• How Your Data Import Impacts Generation Quality

🛠 Troubleshooting

• Can’t import your file? Check that your file contains a “Title” column, you've properly mapped your column headers, your file name doesn't have special characters, and your file is less than 100MB.

• Missing images? Double-check that your image URLs are public, and multiple URLs in one cell are comma separated.

• Fields missing after upload? You likely missed the option to import specific columns as a custom field or didn't click the checkbox at the bottom of the mapping step to import all non-mapped columns. You can start fresh or merge new data into an existing catalog.