When you open a Product CSV in spreadsheet software, columns containing large numbers — including UPCs and long SKUs — typically open under a "General" format setting. This can cause them to display in scientific notation (for example, a SKU like 23044403541504352666 may appear as 2.30444E+19). Uploading a file with values in scientific notation will cause inventory mismatches and syncing failures in Sellbrite.
If you are not editing UPCs
If you don't need to edit or add UPCs, the simplest solution is to delete the UPC column from the spreadsheet entirely. This will keep the original codes intact when you upload the file.
If you are editing UPCs
You will need to reformat the UPC column before uploading. There are a few ways to do this in Excel.
Option 1: Number format
Convert the UPC column to the Number format. Make sure to remove any trailing zeroes after the decimal point.
Option 2: Custom format
Convert the UPC column to a Custom (zero) format.
Option 3: Text to columns
If the Number format and Custom format options don't work, use Excel's Text to Columns feature to convert the UPC column to a text field.
Note: If any of your SKUs start with a zero, you must use this option. Number and Custom formats will drop the leading zero, which will corrupt your SKU data.
The solution is to use the Data > Text to Columns option in Excel. This will allow you to export the UPC column as a text field. Here's how to do that:
Step 1: Select the UPC column
Select the UPC column in your Excel file.
Step 2: Select Delimited
Select the Delimited option.
Step 3: Select Comma
Select Comma as your delimiter.
Step 4: Choose Text as the data format
Choose Text as the data format.
Step 5: Finish
Select Finish. Your UPCs will now display as text.
