Preparing a catalog with Excel: prices, variants and images

Excel is a convenient way to prepare a catalog in bulk and compare existing information. In Menu-in, you can start with a simple template or export an existing catalog. The most important rule is to keep column headings unchanged and place each product’s information in the correct row.

Keep the main sheet simple

Import and export → Blank template lets you download a prepared file. The core fields are category, product name, price and description. The image column is optional. Enter one main product per row; use the appropriate sections to keep sizes and additional choices separate from the main product.

Enter the price as a number and clearly specify sizes in the name or variant information. Instead of putting two different prices into one price cell without an explanation, link them to their corresponding variants. For example, small and large drinks can be two variants of one product.

Extras and variants

Fill in the template’s extras and variants sheets only when needed. Make sure the product name matches the main sheet. Keep the option group name consistent across a product’s variants: for example, use “Size” on each row, with “Small” and “Large” as values. Put options such as extra milk or an additional service in the extras section.

How do you add an image to Excel?

In an XLSX file, add the image to the product’s Image column as an object placed over the cell in that row. Use one image for each row. JPG, PNG and WebP files are supported; an image must not exceed 5 MB. A maximum of 100 images is processed in one file.

Image URLs, the IMAGE function and Excel’s special in-cell image format are not supported in this workflow. Images cannot be embedded in a CSV file either. Use a standard XLSX image object and observe the total file size limit shown in the upload field.

What happens to existing images?

In the import preview, you can keep the existing image, replace it with a new image or skip the image. The default behaviour preserves existing images and adds an image to a product that has none. Images are not changed in price-only update mode.

Exporting and the final check

Exporting an existing catalog makes it easier to reuse matching names and options during an update. Export does not embed the product images themselves in the file. After importing, check product matches, the fields that will change and the images in the preview, then save. Excel import does not use AI credits.