CSV Bulk Upload Instructions

About CSV (Comma Separated Value) file bulk uploads to Collectors Book Auction

Sellers who can export their book records in a customizable CSV file format can easily import their records into our system. The simple requirement is that the correct field values are included and in the proper order.

The easiest and recommended way to edit CSV files is with a spreadsheet application, like Microsoft Excel.   Note: CSV files can also be created or edited with a plain text editor, like Notepad, but you must be very careful to make sure your syntax and entries are correct. (see the If you are using a plain text editor instructions below).

If you want to upload images to take advantage of our gallery option,  you can edit your listings to add them either before or after you post them to the live ads.


Step-by-step CSV file to Collectors Book Auction Bulk Upload instructions:

  1. Click here to review our detailed overview of the CSV field names* and their accepted values, or click here to see our complete category list.
  2. To create a properly formatted CSV file template, download the sample Auction CSV file to your computer.  Open the file with a spreadsheet like Excel, or a plain text editor like Notepad).
  3. Add a row to the CSV file for each Item you want to upload, using valid field values of your choice (be sure to put them in the correct order and observe the CSV File Syntax Rules below), then name and save the file to your computer.
     
  4. Upload your CSV file to the site by clicking the Browse button below,  selecting the file you just saved, and then clicking the Upload button.
  5. Add your seller information and any optional global upload information (this information will be inserted into each record in this upload batch).
  6. Review the upload report. If any Items fail to process, note the reasons.  You can Finish the upload process and come back to those Items for the next upload or you can Cancel and go back and correct the errors that caused the Items not to process. 
  7. Review the Fees for the Items in this Bulk Upload.
  8. Click the Finish button to complete the upload process and move to the Bulk Upload Staging area where you can preview the list of Items you uploaded before posting them to make them live. 
    Note: You can edit any unposted Items at a later time by clicking on your My Auction link in the Auction Menu Bar and then selecting the My Auctions tab.
  9. From the Bulk Upload Staging area, click on the Edit button next to an Item to review it and make any desired changes before posting.
  10. When you are ready to post an Item, check the Post box to the left of that item (or click on the Select All  button to check the Post boxes for all the items on that page).  Click on the Post Selected button below the listings to post all Items that are checked.

*some field names are inconsistent with their actual values because they are "legacy" names from the original creation of Collectors Book Market from our existing ChildrensBookMarket.com website.
If you are using a plain text editor:

Note that there are two parts to the file.  The first part contains the column headings and the second part contains a sample Item.  The column headings must not be removed from the top of your uploaded CSV file.  You can use the sample Item as a guideline and delete it when you are done.  Other syntax rules when using a plain text editor:

  • Each Item must have exactly 30 fields separated by commas (to match the 30 column headings).
  • Each Item must have exactly 29 commas separating the fields (there is no comma after the last field).  Commas within fields must be enclosed with double quotes.*
  • Each Item must be separated by a Carriage Return (pressing Enter) or a Line Break (pressing Shift+Enter).

    Tip: The regular word wrap function of your plain text editor will not cause a problem, but do not press the Enter key at any other time while you are entering your data into the CSV fields.  Any Carriage Return or Line Break will start a new Item unless it is within double-quotes.*

* see the General CSV Syntax rules below

General Syntax Rules for creating CSV files:


  • Any field containing a carriage return, line break, comma or a double-quote character must be surrounded by double-quotes. (To specify a double-quote character within the double-quote surrounded field, you must enter two double-quote characters.)
    (Example: "There is an inscription on the front endpaper, ""To Endora, Regards, Darwin"" ").
     
  • Description field HTML attribute values must always be put inside two double quotes.
    (Example: <font color=""#FF0000"">This is a red font</font>). 

    Tip:  Always put long description field text or HTML within double-quotes to avoid overlooking a format breaking comma, carriage return, or line break.
     

Help us build a comprehensive Help system.  If this Help page did not answer your question, click here to send your question to the administrator.  You can also check our other Help pages or our FAQ.