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Import and Export Book Metadata
Use Import ONIX on the Books page for a one-off ONIX XML or OnixFeed CSV file, or inbound feeds for a recurring URL or FTP source. The official spreadsheet layout is the OnixFeed CSV standard.
Warning: Full import replaces the matching book (same ISBN / identifier) with every mapped section from the file. That is true for ONIX XML and CSV, including inbound feeds. Sectioned update does not replace the book record - it writes over only the section(s) you tick; the rest of the title stays. Skip existing records leaves books that already exist. Titles that are not in the file are not deleted.
On a CSV, an empty cell clears that field. Extra CSVs do not drop awards, events, or pictures you left off the sheet - a blank prize name, event name, or picture link is what clears that kind of data. Export first, then import that file back. See the CSV warning.
Import ONIX (Books page)
You need Run ONIX import.
- Open Books and click Import ONIX.
- Drag and drop an ONIX XML file, or an OnixFeed CSV / Excel file (or use browse).
- Wait for Validator Status. Import can continue with XSD warnings (v2 import uses warn mode).
- Review v2 import options, then click Import books.
Import options
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Contributor biographies | Whether to write bios onto shared contributor records |
| Collateral / media | How covers and other resources are handled |
| Full import (all sections) | Replace the book - write every mapped section |
| Sectioned update (existing products only) | Do not replace the book record - write only the sections you tick |
| Skip existing records | Leave books that already exist (matched by identifier) |
| Limit records | Import the first N records (leave empty for all) |
Hub administrators can also choose Import mode: Into one publisher or Resolve from ONIX (hub), plus a target or fallback publisher.
Sectioned update
Use Sectioned update to refresh part of existing products. It does not replace the book record - only the section(s) you tick are overwritten. Shortcuts: Supply only, Select all sections.
Sections you can tick:
Supply / prices, Titles, Identifiers, Contributors, Subjects, Thema, Languages, Publishing, Text content, Extents, Measures, Product form, Supporting resources, Audience, Related products, Collections, Ancillary content, Prizes / awards, Promotional events, Edition, Sales rights.
After import, the result can show skipped records and XSD warnings. Open a few titles in Books and validate them.
Cover and media
| Mode | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Use supplied URLs | Keep URLs from the file |
| Skip image collateral | Do not import images |
| Use ImageKit library | Match existing library images |
| Upload to ImageKit staging | Download into staging (when available) |
| Upload to server | Store on the app server (when available) |
Media jobs can finish after the import returns. Check covers again if they are not visible immediately.
Inbound feeds
For a regular partner file, configure ONIX Feeds → Inbound instead of uploading each time. See ONIX Feeds.
Spreadsheets
Import ONIX accepts CSV or Excel when the headers match a known layout:
- OnixFeed CSV - the layout OnixFeed downloads (book file plus optional extra CSVs)
- BDS - legacy 79-column import only (
ctitle,za_vat_price). Export never writes BDS headers
Keep header names exactly as exported. Arbitrary publisher layouts are not mapped.
For a few titles, edit in Books instead.
Export
| What you need | Where |
|---|---|
| Partner ONIX XML | ONIX Feeds → Outbound - Generate or download |
| ONIX or catalogue CSVs | Books - header Export, or select rows and Export Selected. Tick All spreadsheets for every CSV in one zip |
| Hub-wide ONIX backup | Admin → Backups - daily snapshot of every book (admin) |
| PDF catalog or flyer | PDF catalogs |
| Stock / price CSV | Supply - Export Stock CSV, or the stock sheet in Export catalogue |
| WooCommerce CSVs | Store collections (admin) - Woo channel: books, contributors, reviews, publishers |
| Shopify shop | Shop Connector - Shopify channel on a store collection |