Create Variations Using Data Import in Studio

Sara Anthony
Sara Anthony
  • Updated

All Studio users can create variations from scratch or by importing element data from an Excel or CSV file. Creating variations through data import enables you to add alternative text, audio, images, or videos to multiple design variations simultaneously.  

This feature/solution requires your Customer Success Contact to enable, but then individual permissions can be done by the Bynder Admin.

Who can create variations using data in Studio?

  • All Studio users

Things to Do Before Importing Data

Make sure all the audio, image, and video files that you want to use in your variations are already stored in your DAM or Studio Uploads. You can do this by manually uploading the files to your design in Studio.

  • If using an XLSX file:  We recommend using this format because of its support for text line breaks and special characters. You can open and modify .XLSX files using Microsoft Office Excel.

  • If using a CSV file: You can open and modify .CSV files using Microsoft Office Excel or your preferred text editor. Learn how to work with special characters in CSV file.

Create Variations Using Data

  1. Navigate to Studio.
  2. Create a new design or edit an existing one.
  3. In the upper right-hand corner navigate and select the Variations tab. Screenshot 2023-11-17 at 12.43.45 PM.png
  4. Click Screenshot 2023-12-14 at 3.35.04 PM.pngand in the dropdown menu select Download Data.
    • (Optional) Select Include existing variation data if you want to include any existing variation data in the downloaded spreadsheet. Otherwise, only the default variation content will be included. Screenshot 2023-11-20 at 2.32.34 PM.png
  5. An excel file will download containing the variation data.  Screenshot 2023-11-20 at 2.35.08 PM.png
  6. You can customize or add the variation data within the Excel file. You can import a maximum of 50 rows per upload. 
    • You can also replace the default audio, image or video file with an alternative asset by entering the asset name. The alternative asset should already be available in the design, otherwise the asset cannot be linked.
  7. Save the Excel file.
  8. Navigate back to the Variations tab.
  9. Click Screenshot 2023-12-14 at 3.35.04 PM.pngand in the dropdown menu select Upload Data. 
  10. Upload the newly created Excel file. 
  11. Your variations will now be available in your design. If necessary, you can further customize them using Studio.
  12. Click Save > Publish.

(Optional) Include Existing Variation Data

  1. Select the Include existing variation data option if you want to include the data of the variations that you already created for your design in Studio.

  2. Click the Download button to download your file.

  3. Open the file in Excel or your preferred text editor.

  4. Add a row for every new content variation you'd like to create. The header in the first row of each column represents a dynamic element that is part of the design. Do not edit these headers, since they are also used as unique identifiers.

  5.  Add/edit the text in cells under column headers representing text elements. Add the filename in cells under column headers representing image, video, or audio elements.
  6. Repeat the above steps as often as necessary. 

  7. Save your file as a comma-separated UTF-8 CSV file or XLSX file. 

  8. Navigate back to your Variations section in Studio. Click the hamburger_menu.png button and click Upload data.

  9. Select your file and wait for Studio to process the data. 

  10. Click Save.

Working with CSV Files with Special Characters

Saving CSV files with special characters

  1. When working with a CSV file that contains special characters, the CSV file needs to be saved in UTF-8 format.
  2. Navigate to your Excel document.
  3. Click Save As option
  4. Select CSV UTF-8 (Comma-delimited) (.csv) from the Common Formats dropdown menu.
UTF8_VBS.png

Opening CSV files with special characters

Did you open a CSV file using Microsoft Office Excel and is the data not formatted correctly?

You may run into this issue if your machine is set to European localization. Follow the guides below to change your regional settings.

If the CSV file you downloaded from Studio contains special characters: 

  1. Open Excel.

  2. Open the Data tab in the top menu bar.

  3. Click the From Text option.

  4. Select your CSV file and click Get Data.

  5. Make sure the option Delimited is selected.

  6. Choose Unicode (UTF-8) in the File origin dropdown and click Next.

  7. Make sure that only Comma is selected in the Delimiters section and click Next.

  8. Click Finish to import the data.

  9. Indicate where you want to place the data and click OK to import the data.

 

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