How to Set Up Product DNA When You Have a Large Catalog

Learn how to efficiently bulk-upload large product catalogs (20+ items) into MorningAI's Product DNA using CSV templates. This step-by-step guide covers the complete workflow from template download to successful upload, plus expert strategies for managing thousands of SKUs, optimizing performance, and maintaining accurate product data.

Applies to: Merchants, e-commerce teams, and anyone uploading 20+ products into MorningAI
Goal: Bulk-import your entire catalog so the platform can instantly reference product details for campaigns, content, and AI prompts.

1. Navigate to Product DNA

Access your product management dashboard:

  1. Click the DNA icon in the left sidebar
  2. In the pop-up menu, choose Product DNA
  3. You'll arrive at a table displaying any products already in your workspace

2. Use the Bulk Upload workflow

Initiate the streamlined import process:

  1. Select Bulk Upload (located in the top-right corner)
  2. The Setup Guide appears with three clear steps:

Step Action
1 – Download Click Download CSV File to grab the template
2 – Fill Out Open the CSV in Excel/Sheets and add your catalog data
3 – Upload Return to the guide and click Upload CSV File

3. Complete the CSV template

Populate your product data efficiently:

Column What to Enter Tips for Large Catalogs
Title Product name Keep names unique and concise
Description Marketing or technical copy Use bulk-edit features in Sheets to paste common phrases
Category / Type Your internal taxonomy Stick to consistent naming (e.g., "RTD", "Apparel")
Price Numeric value only Exclude currency symbols
Image URL Public link to main image Host on CDN or Shopify CDN for speed

💡 Important: Save the file as CSV (UTF-8) to preserve special characters and ensure proper encoding.

4. Upload and confirm

Complete the import process:

  1. Click Upload CSV File and select your completed spreadsheet
  2. MorningAI validates each row automatically
  3. If errors appear: Download the error report, fix the identified rows in your spreadsheet, and re-upload
  4. When all validations show green, click Continue then Save

5. Pro-level tips for large catalogs

Optimize your workflow for maximum efficiency:

Strategy Implementation Benefits
Chunk uploads Split 5,000+ SKUs into smaller CSVs (e.g., 1,000 rows each) Faster validation and easier error management
Leverage formulas Use spreadsheet formulas (e.g., =CONCAT()) to auto-build descriptions or image URLs Reduces manual data entry and ensures consistency
Maintain a master sheet Keep a single source of truth for all product data Enables quick updates with one-click uploads
Use categories wisely Create logical groupings for product types Improves Smart Folders functionality and AI prompt accuracy
Schedule refreshes Set recurring reminders to re-upload when catalog changes Keeps product data current and campaigns accurate

6. Advanced integration options

Scale your product management with automated solutions:

E-commerce Platform Integrations

  • Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce users: Contact support for beta connectors that sync products automatically
  • Eliminates manual CSV uploads for supported platforms

Custom Solutions

  • API access available for custom PIM/ERP feeds
  • Perfect for enterprise-level catalogs with complex data structures

Best Practices for Large Catalogs

Data Preparation

  • Standardize naming conventions across all product titles and categories
  • Optimize image hosting using CDNs for faster load times
  • Validate data quality before upload to minimize error corrections

Ongoing Management

  • Regular audits of product data to maintain accuracy
  • Version control of CSV files to track changes over time
  • Team coordination to prevent duplicate uploads or conflicting data

Performance Optimization

  • Test small batches before uploading entire catalogs
  • Monitor upload times and adjust chunk sizes accordingly
  • Use off-peak hours for large uploads to ensure optimal performance

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • File format errors: Ensure CSV is saved in UTF-8 encoding
  • Image URL problems: Verify all image links are publicly accessible
  • Validation failures: Check for missing required fields or incorrect data types
  • Upload timeouts: Reduce batch size and try uploading during off-peak hours

Recap

Bulk uploading via the CSV template is the fastest, most scalable way to populate Product DNA. Once your catalog is in place, every MorningAI tool—from email campaigns to social posts—can instantly reference accurate product details and images, enabling seamless, data-driven marketing automation across your entire product range.

How to Set Up Product DNA When You Have a Large Catalog

Applies to: Merchants, e-commerce teams, and anyone uploading 20+ products into MorningAI
Goal: Bulk-import your entire catalog so the platform can instantly reference product details for campaigns, content, and AI prompts.

1. Navigate to Product DNA

Access your product management dashboard:

  1. Click the DNA icon in the left sidebar
  2. In the pop-up menu, choose Product DNA
  3. You'll arrive at a table displaying any products already in your workspace

2. Use the Bulk Upload workflow

Initiate the streamlined import process:

  1. Select Bulk Upload (located in the top-right corner)
  2. The Setup Guide appears with three clear steps:

Step Action
1 – Download Click Download CSV File to grab the template
2 – Fill Out Open the CSV in Excel/Sheets and add your catalog data
3 – Upload Return to the guide and click Upload CSV File

3. Complete the CSV template

Populate your product data efficiently:

Column What to Enter Tips for Large Catalogs
Title Product name Keep names unique and concise
Description Marketing or technical copy Use bulk-edit features in Sheets to paste common phrases
Category / Type Your internal taxonomy Stick to consistent naming (e.g., "RTD", "Apparel")
Price Numeric value only Exclude currency symbols
Image URL Public link to main image Host on CDN or Shopify CDN for speed

💡 Important: Save the file as CSV (UTF-8) to preserve special characters and ensure proper encoding.

4. Upload and confirm

Complete the import process:

  1. Click Upload CSV File and select your completed spreadsheet
  2. MorningAI validates each row automatically
  3. If errors appear: Download the error report, fix the identified rows in your spreadsheet, and re-upload
  4. When all validations show green, click Continue then Save

5. Pro-level tips for large catalogs

Optimize your workflow for maximum efficiency:

Strategy Implementation Benefits
Chunk uploads Split 5,000+ SKUs into smaller CSVs (e.g., 1,000 rows each) Faster validation and easier error management
Leverage formulas Use spreadsheet formulas (e.g., =CONCAT()) to auto-build descriptions or image URLs Reduces manual data entry and ensures consistency
Maintain a master sheet Keep a single source of truth for all product data Enables quick updates with one-click uploads
Use categories wisely Create logical groupings for product types Improves Smart Folders functionality and AI prompt accuracy
Schedule refreshes Set recurring reminders to re-upload when catalog changes Keeps product data current and campaigns accurate

6. Advanced integration options

Scale your product management with automated solutions:

E-commerce Platform Integrations

  • Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce users: Contact support for beta connectors that sync products automatically
  • Eliminates manual CSV uploads for supported platforms

Custom Solutions

  • API access available for custom PIM/ERP feeds
  • Perfect for enterprise-level catalogs with complex data structures

Best Practices for Large Catalogs

Data Preparation

  • Standardize naming conventions across all product titles and categories
  • Optimize image hosting using CDNs for faster load times
  • Validate data quality before upload to minimize error corrections

Ongoing Management

  • Regular audits of product data to maintain accuracy
  • Version control of CSV files to track changes over time
  • Team coordination to prevent duplicate uploads or conflicting data

Performance Optimization

  • Test small batches before uploading entire catalogs
  • Monitor upload times and adjust chunk sizes accordingly
  • Use off-peak hours for large uploads to ensure optimal performance

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • File format errors: Ensure CSV is saved in UTF-8 encoding
  • Image URL problems: Verify all image links are publicly accessible
  • Validation failures: Check for missing required fields or incorrect data types
  • Upload timeouts: Reduce batch size and try uploading during off-peak hours

Recap

Bulk uploading via the CSV template is the fastest, most scalable way to populate Product DNA. Once your catalog is in place, every MorningAI tool—from email campaigns to social posts—can instantly reference accurate product details and images, enabling seamless, data-driven marketing automation across your entire product range.

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