Concrete5: [v8] Express - Native import functionality

[szsori]

While it should be straightforward creating an importer for each Express object, if the goal is to reduce the need for custom code, then native import functionality is required. The import tab on the Express object could show the expected format (likely XML or JSON to handle complex data), which would be generated automatically using the handles and data types. To make this work generically, each data type would need a function that returns its expected XML/JSON format per record (which is also used for the export format, if that is to be implemented).

An example...

<country>
  <country_code>usa</country_code>
  <country_name>United States</country_name>
  <country_primary_language>eng</country_primary_language>
</country>

In my database, "country" is the object name and country_code, country_name, and country_primary_language are all attribute handles. country_primary_language is related to another object (languages.language_code), so that relationship needs to be enforced on insert. The import file as a whole could simply wrap all of the records into a generic entity like .

Even if this doesn't fit into pre-launch plans, I think import/export functionality will be useful to any site making use of Express Objects.

[aembler]

I think this is a good idea. Since attributes fully support import/export and express objects are simply collections of attributes this should be easy to do.

[kurtzaugg]

Ehm, sorry, but when will we get a release with that possibility? I need such a feature.
Is there a simple way to already add such functionality?
Thanks.

[aembler]

@kurtzaugg this isn't currently on the roadmap – it would require custom development

[kurtzaugg]

@aembler ok, thanks.

[BloodyIron]

I would like to see this feature implemented, csv might work better for me though, I'm not sure. I have a use-case for importing a lot of data to an Express Entity with a lot of Attributes and options within them. Doing this by hand can be a rather big time burden, and having a way to "bulk add" entries is something one of my clients needs.

So, can we have this moved into the road map please? :)

[feltoar]

I don't understand why this isn't a larger priority for the team. Bulk imports are essential for migrating from another CMS and for bulk update operations. Especially if the website is meant for large product catalogues. Express would be the ideal place to do this.