Import Categories

Import product categories into WooCommerce with hierarchical structure

Overview

Category imports allow you to migrate product categories from another store, import category structures from external systems, or bulk create categories for your products.

PrimeLink supports hierarchical categories (parent-child relationships), category descriptions, images, and custom fields.

Category Fields Overview

Basic Information

  • Category Name: Category name (required)
  • Slug: URL-friendly category name
  • Description: Category description
  • Parent Category: Parent category for hierarchical structure

Display Settings

  • Display Type: Default, Products, Subcategories, Both
  • Thumbnail Image: Category thumbnail image

Additional Information

  • Custom Fields: Additional category metadata

Import Process

Step 1: Welcome

Start the category import wizard from PrimeLink → Imports → New Import → Categories

Step 2: Select Data Source

Choose where your category data is coming from

Step 3: Import Strategy

Choose how to handle existing categories:

  • Create & Update: Create new categories and update existing ones
  • Create Only: Only create new categories, skip existing
  • Update Only: Only update existing categories, skip new ones

Step 4: Filters & Preview

Filter your category data and preview results

Step 5: Field Mapping

Map source fields to WooCommerce category fields:

  • Map category name and slug
  • Map description and parent category
  • Map display settings and thumbnail

Step 6: Options & Scheduling

Configure import options and scheduling

Step 7: Review

Review your import configuration

Step 8: Run Import

Start the import and monitor progress

Hierarchical Categories

Parent-Child Relationships

Categories can have parent categories to create hierarchies:

  • Parent Category: Map to parent category name or ID
  • Hierarchical Format: Use format like "Parent > Child"
  • Multiple Levels: Support for multiple hierarchy levels
  • Example: Electronics > Phones > Smartphones

Importing Hierarchies

To import hierarchical categories:

  1. Import parent categories first (or ensure they exist)
  2. Map "Parent Category" field to parent category name or ID
  3. Or use hierarchical format in category name field
  4. Child categories will be linked to parents automatically

Matching Categories

Matching Criteria

When updating existing categories, PrimeLink needs to match them. Available options:

  • Category Name: Match by category name (recommended)
  • Category ID: Match by WooCommerce category ID
  • Slug: Match by category slug
  • Custom Field: Match by custom field value

Best Practices

  • Use Category Name for matching (most intuitive)
  • Ensure category names are unique within the same parent
  • Use Category ID if importing from another WooCommerce store
  • Consider parent category when matching

Category Images

Thumbnail Image

Category thumbnail images:

  • Map to "Thumbnail Image" field
  • Supports URLs or file paths
  • Images are downloaded and attached to categories
  • Used in category listings and widgets

Best Practices

  • Use unique names: Ensure category names are unique within the same parent
  • Import parents first: Import parent categories before child categories
  • Test with sample data: Run a test import with a few categories first
  • Use hierarchical format: Use "Parent > Child" format for easy hierarchy creation
  • Backup first: Always backup your store before large imports
  • Verify slugs: Check category slugs are URL-friendly
  • Organize structure: Plan your category hierarchy before importing

Common Issues and Solutions

Categories Not Created

  • Check required fields are mapped (Category Name is required)
  • Verify category name format is correct
  • Check import logs for specific errors
  • Ensure category names are not empty

Parent Category Not Found

  • Verify parent category exists
  • Import parent categories first
  • Check parent category name or ID is correct
  • Ensure parent category matching criteria is correct

Duplicate Categories

  • Check for duplicate category names
  • Use "Update Only" mode to update existing categories
  • Verify matching criteria is correct
  • Filter duplicates before import

Image Not Imported

  • Verify image URL is accessible
  • Check image file format is supported
  • Ensure sufficient server permissions for image uploads

Next Steps

🏷️ Import Tags

Learn how to import product tags

Learn More →
📦 Import Products

Learn how to import products with categories

Learn More →
🗺️ Field Mapping

Detailed guide to field mapping

Learn More →