EasyPopulate 4.0 Support Thread

I really am hopeless, I can't even find the file admin\includes\functions\extra_functions\easypopulate_4_functions.php So sorry :blush:

cherylc:

Hi. Thanks very much and believe me you can talk down to me....the simpler the better for me!! I will try what you suggest and hope this works. I don't have an EP to upload at the moment as I am still working on the next category product. I've found it easier to do all my categories as a separate file then upload individually. As the website is now live I am basically just adding more stock as we get it. So just to make clear...I make the changes you suggest on the admin console, then I download a new EP file, save it to my computer, add products then upload and import? Can I still use the basic attributes file? Also, I added our website to the 'Showcase' list but it hasn't appeared and there was no option to add a photo. Does the site need to be verified first? Many thanks for taking the time to reply. It is much appreciated!

I'm not entirely sure on the "process" that the operators of the Zen Cart showcase go through, but it could possibly be a few days before they "authorize" the site to appear in the showcase area. The process is relatively quick in the grand scheme of things, but each individual has his/her function and some of them do particular things on particular days of the week so as not to get too back logged and to keep things moving at a good pace.

Also to be sure that we are speaking on the same page, the changes I suggested are not something that can typically be "entered on the admin console", rather it is change to the code that was added when EP4 was installed. Inserting the lines provided into that file (approximately where suggested, doesn't have to be immediately below each of the recommended lines, but seems to make sense to be adjacent to them as they relate to each other). Yes you will still be able to use your basic attributes file; however, the code changes I recommended will apply only to uploading the full file. I got to thinking that perhaps that attribute is more applicable to an item than it is to an attribute; however, I think that both must exist in order for the function to work as expected. (That is that need to have some differences in attributes in order to buy 2 red shoes and 4 blue shoes to meet a minimum purchase of 6 shoes, if you were selling shoes with a minimum purchase quantity of 6). I should have also stated, that these are merely suggestions and are made on a best effort principle. I did not test that change; however, presented it based on my past experience with modifying that portion of the code to obtain the information I wanted.

As far as having an EP file at the moment to upload, after making the code change even downloading a file, keeping one line (possibly of a deactivated product), changing the one attribute to it's alternate state, uploading that file and checking to see it's success (or hopefully not failure), could make the world of difference for you. Course should backup before doing anything that affects the database.

If not mistaken, the basic attributes file associates an attribute to a product, while the detailed attributes file specifically identifies all of the factors of the attribute that is associated with the product. You will still be able to use that method of upload/update, and in fact the changes suggested above do not affect that at all.

cherylc:

I really am hopeless, I can't even find the file admin\includes\functions\extra_functions\easypopulate_4_functions.php So sorry :blush:

Okay, so in your store (on your website), you should be able to use FTP to login to the files area. Then off of the main part of the store is an admin folder of some type, (In order for your store to be shown on a computer, the admin folder must be named something else...) That said: Don't provide it here... Don't give that folder out to the public... Under that folder will be includes, then functions, then extra_functions. If you have EP4 installed, you should have easypopulate_4_functions.php (If not yet installed, then the file is found in the downloaded zip file... But let's start from there... Found it?

Hi Everyone...

I need some help understanding what I am doing here. I've got the Easy Populate module installed and it seems to be working. I downloaded a FullEP set and added some products and it all seemed to load just fine. My issue is that I am selling downloadable products and would like to be able to add the zip file field right to the same spreadsheet and upload it. I already have my option names and option values set up in the store as Download 1 - Zip 1 (radio button).

My question is: Can I simply add the fields for my zip file onto the same spreadsheet as all my other product info? and if so...
What do I list the fields as and where do I add the zip file name?

Thanks so much...

amandavz:

Hi Everyone...

I need some help understanding what I am doing here. I've got the Easy Populate module installed and it seems to be working. I downloaded a FullEP set and added some products and it all seemed to load just fine. My issue is that I am selling downloadable products and would like to be able to add the zip file field right to the same spreadsheet and upload it. I already have my option names and option values set up in the store as Download 1 - Zip 1 (radio button).

My question is: Can I simply add the fields for my zip file onto the same spreadsheet as all my other product info? and if so...
What do I list the fields as and where do I add the zip file name?

Thanks so much...

So, I must say a good question. First would say that as a result of the appropriate fields not showing up, that it may take a little more to turn around and get the desired data back into your database. Typically the field name in your spreadsheet file is the field name in the database with v_ prepended. So would have to identify what the field name(s) are that would be needed to hold the information you are looking to include. The other part of that is what table(s) hold that additional information. My thought is that some additional coding would be necessary to accomplish the task. The functions file under the full section of the set file layout would need to include the additional lookup info in the sql command, and then I think in the import area some more coding may be necessary to properly upload/import the new data to the correct table(s).

amandavz:

Hi Everyone...

I need some help understanding what I am doing here. I've got the Easy Populate module installed and it seems to be working. I downloaded a FullEP set and added some products and it all seemed to load just fine. My issue is that I am selling downloadable products and would like to be able to add the zip file field right to the same spreadsheet and upload it. I already have my option names and option values set up in the store as Download 1 - Zip 1 (radio button).

My question is: Can I simply add the fields for my zip file onto the same spreadsheet as all my other product info? and if so...
What do I list the fields as and where do I add the zip file name?

Thanks so much...

mc12345678:

So, I must say a good question. First would say that as a result of the appropriate fields not showing up, that it may take a little more to turn around and get the desired data back into your database. Typically the field name in your spreadsheet file is the field name in the database with v_ prepended. So would have to identify what the field name(s) are that would be needed to hold the information you are looking to include. The other part of that is what table(s) hold that additional information. My thought is that some additional coding would be necessary to accomplish the task. The functions file under the full section of the set file layout would need to include the additional lookup info in the sql command, and then I think in the import area some more coding may be necessary to properly upload/import the new data to the correct table(s).

Basically, I might have been able to edit my last post, but doubtful within the time allowed, so thought I would answer the questions asked a little more specifically.

Yes you can eventually have the related information added to your table, but I think you will have to have additional coding to handle it. The zip file location would be a path much like the photo path. I thought I remembered seeing download attribute information though in the attribute(s) file(s). So it would take a series of download/upload to get all of the info into the database the way desired.

I haven't personally looked into that attribute of it yet, but I seem to remember seeing the additional fields addressed in the code. If that is the case (and I'll take a quick look in the near future to see if I'm right), then you would work with the appropriate attributes file after the product description/details were uploaded.

mc12345678:

Basically, I might have been able to edit my last post, but doubtful within the time allowed, so thought I would answer the questions asked a little more specifically.

Yes you can eventually have the related information added to your table, but I think you will have to have additional coding to handle it. The zip file location would be a path much like the photo path. I thought I remembered seeing download attribute information though in the attribute(s) file(s). So it would take a series of download/upload to get all of the info into the database the way desired.

I haven't personally looked into that attribute of it yet, but I seem to remember seeing the additional fields addressed in the code. If that is the case (and I'll take a quick look in the near future to see if I'm right), then you would work with the appropriate attributes file after the product description/details were uploaded.

Okay, so had an opportunity to look at the code from a computer. The detailed attributes file is the way that EP4 is currently setup to handle/address the attributes that you are looking for. If you download a version of that file now, you should see examples of how to format and upload additional attributes. One reason that I think this is setup this way is that you can have multiple files associated with a single product, therefore, a format like how the attributes files work is the path to go. As said previously, this would require working with two different files. The full file for all of the data associated with/specific to the item, and then an attributes file to link the download file information to the product.

Specifically, the fields: v_products_attributes_filename, v_products_attributes_maxdays, and v_products_attributes_maxcount would at least be applicable. with your zip file filename listed in the first field designator shown here.

Okay...So I downloaded the attributes files and set it up with the following fields:

v_products_model
v_products_options_name
v_products_options_type
v_products_options_values_name
v_products_attributes_filename
v_products_attributes_maxdays
v_products_attributes_maxcount

I then added only 1 product to test this and imported the information. In doing so I get this error:

File Import Completed with issues.
An SQL error has occured. Please check your input data for tabs within fields and delete these. If this error continues, please forward your error log to the Easy Populate maintainer

Do I not need to add the

v_products_options_name
v_products_options_type
v_products_options_values_name

To the file since they are already set up in the store? I am not sure I completely understand how this works but I do appreciate your helping me. Thanks so much. :)

I GOT IT!!! :)

Thanks for all your help!!! :)

Okay...so I tried multiple ways to get this thing right. I ended up downloading the Basic Products Attributes and added the fields you mentioned above. I was trying to create it with JUST the fields above, I left the Basic Attributes in tact and added the fields you specified, uploaded, imported and it worked!!!

I am going to run a test purchase just to make sure I got it all correctly done...thank you so much for your help. My customer will be very happy. :)

UPDATE:

So I ran the test purchase and everything "looks" like it is there, t shows me the attributes attached to the product, but there is no actual zip file t download at the end of the checkout.

It only takes me to a page that says: "Please notify me of updates to these products" if I go into My Account, it does not show the download button there either.

I feel that I am so close to getting this, I am just not there yet and not sure what I am missing.

If you want to take a look, the site is: http://studiorockcreek.com/shop/ and it's the product marked FREE.

Thanks. :)

amandavz:

UPDATE:

So I ran the test purchase and everything "looks" like it is there, t shows me the attributes attached to the product, but there is no actual zip file t download at the end of the checkout.

It only takes me to a page that says: "Please notify me of updates to these products" if I go into My Account, it does not show the download button there either.

I feel that I am so close to getting this, I am just not there yet and not sure what I am missing.

If you want to take a look, the site is: http://studiorockcreek.com/shop/ and it's the product marked FREE.

Thanks. :)

What were the results of downloading the detailed attributes file? It seemed that there were more fields in there that would accomplish what you are trying to do, and the way the code appears to be written it includes download (and subsequent upload) of the information needed to populate/activate the download. Perhaps another question is, the file that is "linked" to the product, does it exist where it is supposed to be and named the way it is supposed to be on the server?

I'm having a strange issue that I've been working on for days and I just cannot figure out. I've been using EasyPopulate with no problems until I recently tried to import some new products. I've never had this issue before, but this time when I imported new items everything is perfect except all the new items' images are distorted.

And when you you click on the "large image" link on the product page of one of the new items the same small distorted image is shown (it doesn't enlarge). But if you right-click on the small image and select "view image" the whole large image is shown.

So for some bizarre reason it is shrinking and distorted the images of any newly imported items (but for the other items that are already in the database the images are not distorted, only the new items). I have the Configuration/images settings the same as I've always had them, and as I said, the old products are still displaying the correct image sizes and nothing is wrong there (only new items are affected). This is the only issue with importing new items -- everything works perfectly except it is messing up my images.

I've even tried to zero in on the problem by removing most entries in the CSV file (such as v_manufacturers_name, v_metatags_description_1, etc), leaving just the bare minimum (v_products_model, v_products_image, v_products_name_1, etc). I even removed most products in the file except for five (thinking maybe some character such as * somewhere was causing problems). But none of this matters. No matter how small the CSV file is the images always come out distorted and the "large image" link doesn't show the large image (even though it is there on the server).

And, I've tried re-uploading the images but they are fine. I upload in binary, and image folder permission is correct (all other old products have no problem showing the image correctly). Something is going on in EasyPopulate that is telling it to shrink my images.

What is strange as I've always imported new products using EasyPopulate and never encountered this problem. Thank you for any help anyone can offer!

I'm using Zen Cart 1.5.1, and EasyPopulate 4.0

If I download the Detail list and try to add the proper information in the proper fields (same as I did with the basic) I get the same error:

File Import Completed with issues.
An SQL error has occured. Please check your input data for tabs within fields and delete these. If this error continues, please forward your error log to the Easy Populate maintainer

I am only adding information to the fields I need:

v_products_model: 1
v_products_options_name: Download 1
v_products_options_values_name: Zip 1
v_products_attributes_filename: test.zip
v_products_attributes_maxdays: 90
v_products_attributes_maxcount: 5

Does the entire sheet need to be populated with content? Like 0 in the fields I don't need? This worked perfectly in the Basic list but with no actual zip file to download.

To answer your other question...I'm not sure what you mean by "linked"...if you're asking if I have the zip file attached to the product, no I do not. That's what I hoping to do with this module. I do have the test.zip uploaded into the downloads folders in the back end of my Zen Cart and named the same on the downloaded spreadsheet.

amandavz:

If I download the Detail list and try to add the proper information in the proper fields (same as I did with the basic) I get the same error:

File Import Completed with issues.
An SQL error has occured. Please check your input data for tabs within fields and delete these. If this error continues, please forward your error log to the Easy Populate maintainer

I am only adding information to the fields I need:

v_products_model: 1
v_products_options_name: Download 1
v_products_options_values_name: Zip 1
v_products_attributes_filename: test.zip
v_products_attributes_maxdays: 90
v_products_attributes_maxcount: 5

Does the entire sheet need to be populated with content? Like 0 in the fields I don't need? This worked perfectly in the Basic list but with no actual zip file to download.

To answer your other question...I'm not sure what you mean by "linked"...if you're asking if I have the zip file attached to the product, no I do not. That's what I hoping to do with this module. I do have the test.zip uploaded into the downloads folders in the back end of my Zen Cart and named the same on the downloaded spreadsheet.

Was an error file created in your list of download files? Something that shows the SQL code? I've been writing some independent mods so my version of the SQL code may have been corrected if there was in fact an error the original (remember beta) code.

As for my discussion of a "linked" product, what you described is what I was asking about: that the file exists on your server as it is expected on your server. It does appear that the issue is related to the upload of the detailed attributes file. This is the file that will "finish" your process. So somehow need to get that fixed. The error message seems to ask for the file to be searched for extra tabs in the data (like the tab key has been pressed), as for zeroing out or omitting data, it is possible, that this plugin will remove entered data if a field has been deleted from the file. Best way to maintain data is to download what is there, change data of things desired to change, then upload.

I'm not at a computer at the moment to test a single upload.

This is the TXT error I get when I add JUST the fields I want to use:

MySQL error 1064: You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'AND
products_id = AND
options_id = AND
options_values_id =
' at line 3
When executing:
SELECT * FROM zhs_products_attributes
WHERE (
products_attributes_id = AND
products_id = AND
options_id = AND
options_values_id =
) LIMIT 1

I tried adding it with all the fields populated after attaching a zip file to a product and THEN downloading the detailed csv file. It shows me the proper format of each field but also gives me an error message reading SKIPPED!! and something about Attributes not attached to model. I don't quit remember off hand, but it never generated a TXT error file.

JNR345:

I'm having a strange issue that I've been working on for days and I just cannot figure out. I've been using EasyPopulate with no problems until I recently tried to import some new products. I've never had this issue before, but this time when I imported new items everything is perfect except all the new items' images are distorted.

And when you you click on the "large image" link on the product page of one of the new items the same small distorted image is shown (it doesn't enlarge). But if you right-click on the small image and select "view image" the whole large image is shown.

So for some bizarre reason it is shrinking and distorted the images of any newly imported items (but for the other items that are already in the database the images are not distorted, only the new items). I have the Configuration/images settings the same as I've always had them, and as I said, the old products are still displaying the correct image sizes and nothing is wrong there (only new items are affected). This is the only issue with importing new items -- everything works perfectly except it is messing up my images.

I've even tried to zero in on the problem by removing most entries in the CSV file (such as v_manufacturers_name, v_metatags_description_1, etc), leaving just the bare minimum (v_products_model, v_products_image, v_products_name_1, etc). I even removed most products in the file except for five (thinking maybe some character such as * somewhere was causing problems). But none of this matters. No matter how small the CSV file is the images always come out distorted and the "large image" link doesn't show the large image (even though it is there on the server).

And, I've tried re-uploading the images but they are fine. I upload in binary, and image folder permission is correct (all other old products have no problem showing the image correctly). Something is going on in EasyPopulate that is telling it to shrink my images.

What is strange as I've always imported new products using EasyPopulate and never encountered this problem. Thank you for any help anyone can offer!

I'm using Zen Cart 1.5.1, and EasyPopulate 4.0

So when you say that the other "old products" have no problem showing the image(s) was this determined by uploading the new image in place of/in addition to an existing image of an old product? (Ie, if old product image is renamed, and new image uploaded with old image name, then that new image shows properly on an old product, but that same image doesn't show properly with a new product?)

EP4 does not actually affect images, it loads the base name(s) into the database. Generally speaking EP4 has little to nothing to do with the problem you are describing (note that a link has not been provided for us to inspect).
Might also help to identify the data uploaded for the offending product, ie pathname provided for the image(s). As typically and assuming you are not using an image handler, the base file is provided to the database, and your large file is uploaded with the appropriate extension before the suffix file type I think it is _LRG (or maybe it's _LARGE) I use an image handler that doesn't require uploading a filename with such an extension, so I forget the proper format.

amandavz:

This is the TXT error I get when I add JUST the fields I want to use:

MySQL error 1064: You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'AND
products_id = AND
options_id = AND
options_values_id =
' at line 3
When executing:
SELECT * FROM zhs_products_attributes
WHERE (
products_attributes_id = AND
products_id = AND
options_id = AND
options_values_id =
) LIMIT 1

I tried adding it with all the fields populated after attaching a zip file to a product and THEN downloading the detailed csv file. It shows me the proper format of each field but also gives me an error message reading SKIPPED!! and something about Attributes not attached to model. I don't quit remember off hand, but it never generated a TXT error file.

Also, to answer one of the questions, what you are missing? Well, each of the file types has been provided for a purpose. A basic file will address things that relate to the file type, like basic attributes addresses the existence of an attribute in the database and that the attribute has a relationship with the product (by model number of course), while a detailed attribute assigns data associated with the attribute and all of it's details to the specific product (by model name of course). The basic attribute file is used to give the selection of a file or whatever value(s) that are assigned. The actual file data would be handled in the detailed attributes (this data is also in a different database table than the data associated with the basic attributes.

And let me describe another way. ZC is made up of data associated with other "previous" data. That's why the operator must first enter a product, then enter attributes associated with that product, then identify specific detail about how that attribute affects the product. Each building on the next.

I started the above earlier, but hadn't sent it. Now it appears applicable.

First you need to do a basic attribute upload for your product, (which you did thinking that all of the new data was incorporated to find that not so.), then download a detailed attribute file, mod what you want modded (ie, add the filename, number of downloads, etc.), and upload the resulting file. There's no need to remove columns and in some cases removal of a column will prevent it from working.

The txt file you uploaded reflects that: it was looking for data specifically needed to make the upload work as seen by the blank between = and AND.

Thanks for your response.

I have a store with products that all show the images properly. Now when I add new products (completely new, not updating or replacing any aspects of the old products), the new products' images are all distorted and small (the old products remain the correct size). It appears something in EasyPopulate is telling it to change the image size (smaller, and distorts it, and the "large image" doesn't display the large image unless you right-click on the image and select "view image").

All the images have unique names (for example SPFF84.jpg). All images go in the main directory "images" (like always, I don't use a separate sub-folder for Large or Medium images). None of the new images are replacing old images. It is showing the correct image for every item, just distorting it. I've imported new products before with no problem so that is why this is all very strange. I can't figure out how EasyPopulate is doing this to the images. Everything works perfectly in the CSV files except for it resizing the images. What is it in the CSV file that is telling it to shrink the images? Every single new image gets affected.

Also, interestingly, when I click the edit button for one of these new items and simply click Save (without changing any of the fields at all), then the new image suddenly shows perfectly for that product. What does that mean?

mc12345678:

Also, to answer one of the questions, what you are missing? Well, each of the file types has been provided for a purpose. A basic file will address things that relate to the file type, like basic attributes addresses the existence of an attribute in the database and that the attribute has a relationship with the product (by model number of course), while a detailed attribute assigns data associated with the attribute and all of it's details to the specific product (by model name of course). The basic attribute file is used to give the selection of a file or whatever value(s) that are assigned. The actual file data would be handled in the detailed attributes (this data is also in a different database table than the data associated with the basic attributes.

And let me describe another way. ZC is made up of data associated with other "previous" data. That's why the operator must first enter a product, then enter attributes associated with that product, then identify specific detail about how that attribute affects the product. Each building on the next.

I started the above earlier, but hadn't sent it. Now it appears applicable.

First you need to do a basic attribute upload for your product, (which you did thinking that all of the new data was incorporated to find that not so.), then download a detailed attribute file, mod what you want modded (ie, add the filename, number of downloads, etc.), and upload the resulting file. There's no need to remove columns and in some cases removal of a column will prevent it from working.

The txt file you uploaded reflects that: it was looking for data specifically needed to make the upload work as seen by the blank between = and AND.

Okay...So I added a zip file to a product in the store, downloaded the detailed csv file, added a couple of more products with the same format that was on the spreadsheet, saved it, uploaded it into the Easy Populate and clicked the Import link and got this for an errors:

Located at the top of the page:
File Import Completed with issues.

Located at the bottom of the page:
SKIPPED! - Attribute Entry on Model: 2 - Not Found!
SKIPPED! - Attribute Entry on Model: 3 - Not Found!

It's telling me there were 2 errors detected but generated no TXT file with them...

I do appreciate your thorough explanation of how this works and I understand what you are saying. I appreciate it because if I can get this figured out this will be a very useful tool moving forward for future installs. :)