Marlin GTX enables bulk creation and maintenance of product records using Bulk Product Imports.
From version 5.7.2 onwards, bulk product imports allow multiple products to be created or updated at once, using a single .csv import.
Templates can include headings only, system default values, or values copied from existing products to reduce manual entry and keep data consistent.
The .csv file can then be edited externally to define product details, making it suitable for initial product loads, range changes, or supplier catalogue imports.
The import process then checks the data, identifies errors, and prevents unwanted duplicates or overwrites before products are created.
Bulk Product Templates
To create a bulk product import template, click on the Bulk Add button at the top of the Product Maintenance window.
The Bulk Add Products pop-up will open.
Click on the Template tab at the top and select the template style:
- Headings Only: No field values pre-filled
- System Defaults: System default values pre-filled
- Template Products: Includes selected product values (see below)
To create the template, click on the Generate button at the bottom-right.
The template file will be created in the UtilityDataFiles\BulkAdd\StockMaster\Template folder of the GTX directory on your hard drive.
Template Products
Select the Template Products toggle.
Use the Product Code picker on the left to select a product.
Click the Add Product Code button on the right.
Added products will appear in the Product Code list below:
- Multiple products can be added to the same template
- Once added, products cannot be removed from the list
(must close and re-do template)
The template will be generated with the selected product values already filled in, which can then be edited.
Use template products when adding similar products to ones that already exist in your system.
Editing Bulk Product Templates
Once generated, product import template .csv files can be opened and edited using Microsoft Excel or other appropriate software.
Fill in the required values for each product you are importing.
If adding multiple products, each new product should be on a separate line.
The first column is not the product code: The fields are ordered alphabetically and product codes need to be entered in the Product Code column (AX).
If using the System Defaults template to import multiple products, you will need to copy the defaults from the first line to each new line before adding the new product information.
An explanation of the requirements for each field can be viewed by clicking on the Field Info tab at the top of the Bulk Add Products pop-up.
Bulk Product Imports
Once the import template has been edited, the products can be imported by returning to the Product Maintenance module and clicking on the Bulk Add button again.
The Bulk Add Products pop-up will open.
In the Import tab:
- Select the .csv file using the picker at the top
- Tick the checkboxes below, as required
- Ignore existing records: Do not import items with existing codes
- Ignore duplicates in .csv: Do not import duplicates, if present in the template file
- Make sure the .csv file is closed
- Click Test CSV (bottom-right)
The template cannot be tested while it is still open in another editor.
If there are any errors, they will be shown in a pop-up and can be reviewed in more detail by clicking on the appropriate tab at the top of the Results list.
Re-open, re-edit and re-test the template until there are no issues.
You do not need to re-select the .csv file each time, just click the Test CSV button again.
You will still get a warning about duplicate records even if you have ticked the Ignore duplicates in .csv checkbox, but they will not be imported.
If there are no issues with the template file, click on the Import button at the bottom-right to import the products.
A pop-up will open showing the number of products that have been imported.
