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How to Keep UPCs Formatted Correctly in Your Product CSV File

Learn how to properly format your UPC numbers with a CSV file.

Written by Holland Rocha

When you open a Product CSV in spreadsheet software, the UPC column typically opens under a "General" format setting. This can cause large numbers like 12-digit UPCs to display in scientific notation, which will cause problems when you upload the file back into 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.

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