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      Gain More Control Over Your Product Data with Additional Sources in EffectConnect

      Add extra info using a CSV file, without changing your primary system.

      Want to enrich product info without touching your main system? Use additional sources in EffectConnect. Upload a CSV file and link extra data to your existing products. Think of marketplace-specific titles, shipping costs, or promo prices. This gives you more control, flexibility, and scalability in how your products appear on marketplaces. 

      What is an additional source?

      An additional source is a CSV or XML file with extra product information. You add it alongside your current system. EffectConnect reads the file and creates new attributes. That way, you enrich data smartly and quickly. Examples:

      • Different titles per marketplace

      • Pricing elements like shipping costs and margins

      • Product dimensions

      • Extra images

      Use these attributes directly in content mappings or pricing calculations—without touching your primary source. 

      Why use additional sources?

      You save time and gain control. You decide which extra data to add and to which products. Ideal if your main system is limited or hard to adjust. Use cases:

      • Marketplace-specific titles or descriptions

      • Temporary promo prices or seasonal changes

      • SEO-optimized texts

      • Integration of data from other systems

      • Less dependency on your main system

      What’s the cost?

      Nothing. Additional sources are free for every EffectConnect user. Tip: group your data by source to keep things tidy and prevent chaos.

      How to add an additional data source

      Go to EffectConnect → Catalog → Additional sources. Two options:

      1. CSV upload
        One-time upload, no auto-updates.

      2. CSV import via URL
        Connect an online CSV (e.g. Google Sheet), automatically updated at set intervals.

        Within a Google Sheet, enter EAN or SKU in the first column to match to existing products. For example:
        Afbeelding met tekst, schermopname, nummer, Lettertype Door AI gegenereerde inhoud is mogelijk onjuist.
      3. XML upload
        One-time upload.
      4. XML import via URL
        Automatically import from a published XML file online.

      How to publish a Google Sheet as a CSV URL

      1. Open your sheet

      2. File → Share → Publish to web

      3. Choose CSV format

      4. Make it publicly accessible

      5. Enable automatic republishing after changes

      6. Click “Publish”

      7. Copy the generated URL into EffectConnect effectconnect.com

      Uploading a data source in EffectConnect

      Step 1 – Upload

      • Choose CSV or XML upload

      • Name your data source (for your reference)

      • Upload the file or enter its URL and click “download file”

      Step 2 – Check settings

      • Indicate if your CSV has headers and what separators it uses

      • Confirm the format for EffectConnect to interpret

      • Optionally adjust encapsulation and escape characters

      Step 3 – Link data

      • Match an existing EffectConnect attribute with a column from your CSV/XML

      • Select the columns to import; they become new attributes

      • Column/element names are used as attribute names—you can rename them under “Attribute name”

      • Avoid duplicate attribute names to keep mapping clear

      • Choose the language to store the new attributes in your catalog

      Step 4 – Summary

      • Review settings before import

      • Click import data to start the first import

      What makes a CSV valid?

      • Every row has the same number of columns

      • Use only one kind of delimiter

      • No empty rows

      • If texts span rows, use encapsulation

      • Avoid emojis or strange characters

      • Add new columns at the end

      • Save as UTF‑8

      Common mistakes

      • Wrong identifiers
        If IDs change in your additional source or main system, data can’t link anymore.

      • Duplicate identifiers
        Duplicate EANs or SKUs can break data matching.

      • Duplicate names
        If your CSV column is named “color” and your system already has “color”, you'll end up with two attributes. Avoid this by, for example, adding “_csv” to each attribute from an additional source.

      • Changed URLs
        If you connect via URL, don’t change it—EffectConnect won't be able to reload the source.

      Make your data work smarter—without added complexity.

      Add an additional source in EffectConnect today.
      Have questions or want to explore options? You’ll get personal support at every step. Together with EffectConnect, make your marketplace operation more efficient.