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Import Operators

When you import a file, you must include the column header MonsoonOP and an operator for each line item that tells Monsoon Marketplace what to do with the data in the file: add a SKU, add an order, decrease an existing SKU's quantity by a certain amount, modify an existing SKU, modify an existing order, or update a SKU (used when you are not sure if a SKU already exists in your inventory).

Operator: a

You can use the a or add operator to add a new SKU (standalone, child, or parent) to your inventory or to add a new data exchange order. (For instructions, see Importing Inventory Overview and Importing Orders Overview.)

When you import inventory, there are two exceptions where you use the a operator instead of the m operator for an existing SKU:

You can use the a operator to add quantity to an existing SKU's quantity instead of overwriting it. An import file to add quantity should contain the following columns only: MonsoonOP, Quantity, LocatorCode or WarehouseLocator (if you use one), and SKU.
You can use the a operator when you want to add a new locator code to an existing SKU. An import file to add a locator code should contain the following columns only: MonsoonOP, LocatorCode or WarehouseLocator, and SKU.

Operator: d

You can use the d or decrease operator to reduce an existing SKU's quantity by a specific amount. (For instructions, see Importing Inventory Overview.) When you use the decrease operator, Monsoon Marketplace deducts the quantity in an import file from the quantity in Monsoon Marketplace. For example, if a SKU has a quantity of 100 in Monsoon Marketplace and a quantity of 50 in an import file, during import, Monsoon Marketplace performs the following calculation: 100 (quantity in Monsoon Marketplace) - 50 (quantity in import file) = 50 (new quantity in Monsoon Marketplace).

Operator: m

You can use the m or modify operator to change details or add new details to an existing SKU or order. (For instructions, see Importing Inventory Overview.)

When you use the modify operator, data in an import file overwrites existing data in Monsoon Marketplace. For example, if a SKU has a quantity of 10 in Monsoon Marketplace and a quantity of 8 in an import file, during import, Monsoon Marketplace changes the quantity in your system from 10 to 8.

If you want the quantity in an import file to add to the quantity in Monsoon Marketplace rather than overwrite it, use the a operator instead of the m operator. An import file to add quantity to an existing SKU should contain the following columns only: MonsoonOP, Quantity, LocatorCode or WarehouseLocator (if you use one), and SKU.

Operator: u

You can use the u or update operator when you are not sure if a SKU already exists in your inventory. The update operator tells Monsoon Marketplace to add a new SKU if one does not already exist or modify an existing SKU if it does.

The a (add) operator rather than the u (update) operator must be used to add a new locator code to an existing SKU.

Operators at a glance

Operation	Case-sensitive operator	What it does
Add	a	Adds a new SKU or order to your inventory
Decrease	d	Decreases a SKU's quantity.
Modify	m	Modifies an existing SKU or order by overwriting existing data or adding new item details such as an image, classification, or cost of goods.
Update	u	Adds a SKU when one does not already exist or modifies an existing SKU. When Monsoon Marketplace evaluates a SKU during import and does not find an exact match, it creates a new SKU. If Monsoon Marketplace finds an exact match, then it modifies the existing SKU.