Visual Import

Pro feature. Available in Listora Pro.

Availability: Pro only. Requires Listora Pro. With Pro active, Visual Import is the only importer for CSV files. Free's fixed-column CSV importer is hidden.

What it does

Visual Import loads listings from a CSV, JSON or GeoJSON file. You upload the file, match its columns to Listora fields on screen, check a preview, and run the import. It handles files with unfamiliar column names, which is the usual case for data exported from another system.

Where to find it

Go to Listora → Settings → Import / Export. With Pro active the tab shows three cards:

  • Visual Import - this page.
  • Google Import - search Google Places and import places as listings. It needs a Google Maps API key set under Settings → Maps.
  • Competitor Migration - move listings from another directory plugin. See Migrating from another plugin.

The CSV Export card from Free is still there. Only the basic CSV importer is replaced.

How to use it

  1. In Visual Import, drag your file into the box or click Choose File. CSV, JSON and GeoJSON files are supported.
  2. Choose the Listing Type the rows belong to. The list shows the listing types that are active on your site, so a type you have added or renamed appears here.
  3. Set the options:
    • First row contains column headers - leave it ticked for most CSV files.
    • Update existing listings (match by title) - tick it to update a listing with the same title instead of creating a duplicate.
    • Default status - the status new listings get.
  4. If you saved a mapping before, pick it under Saved Templates and click Load.
  5. Click Upload & Map.
  6. On the Map Fields step, each Source Column is matched to a Listora Field. The Status column says whether a match was made automatically (Auto), by you (Manual) or skipped (Skipped). Change any match you disagree with. A Data Preview (first 3 rows) shows what your file holds.
  7. To reuse the mapping, tick Save this mapping as template and give it a Template name.
  8. Click Preview. The preview counts the rows that are valid, have warnings or have errors, so you can fix the file before anything is written.
  9. Click Start Import. The Import step shows progress. You can Cancel Import while it runs.
  10. When it finishes, the screen reports how many rows were imported, how many had errors and how many were skipped. Use View Imported Listings to see them, Download Error Report for the rows that failed, Retry Import if the run failed, or Import Another File.

A row with no title is skipped and reported as "Missing title, skipped."

HTML in descriptions. Listing descriptions keep their HTML, including links, headings and lists. This also holds when you re-import over an existing listing with Update existing listings ticked.

Saved templates. Under Saved Templates you can Load, Edit or Delete a saved mapping. Use them when you import regular exports from the same source.

Migrating from another directory plugin

The Competitor Migration card shows one entry for each supported plugin. Each entry shows its state:

State Meaning
Detected The plugin is active and has listings. The entry shows how many listings were found and the migration can be started.
Installed The plugin is active but has no listings to move yet. The entry says so and the migration button is off.
Not installed The plugin is not on this site. The migration button is off and tells you to install the plugin first.

Run a dry run before the real migration. For plugin-specific guidance see the migration guides: GeoDirectory, Directorist, Business Directory Plugin, ListingPro and HivePress.

Tips

  • Import a small sample first, such as 10 rows, and check the listings before you run the whole file.
  • Save the mapping as a template as soon as it looks right.
  • Large imports run in batches, so you can leave the screen open while they finish.

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