Node import: get CSV content
The node import module enables importing of nodes of any type into your site using comma separated values format (CSV). One possible use is with contact manager to import lists of contacts. Users want to be able to import content from other systems into their site.
Node import accepts a CSV file or a TSV (tab separated text file) as input. CSV files can be generated using spreadsheet programs. Your CSV file must contain field names in its first row. These field names can be anything; except when using raw data import type. Third party modules are able to potentially add additional import types, e.g. the now defunct contact_manager.
(In order to import list values one has to separate the values inside the contents of the CSV files by the pipe symbol (that is the '|' character). Very useful for importing multi-value Taxonomies too.)
Data can be imported into the following node types:
- Page
- Story
- Event
- Flexinode
- CCK Node Types
You can
- read about the function that reads CSV files called fgetcsv.
- import nodes at Administer >> Content managment >> Import content.
- administer node permissions at Administer >> User management >> Permissions >> node_import module.
- file issues, read about known bugs, and download the latest version on the node_import project page.
Alternative - iMacro browser extension
I think this is a great project, but I didn't want to install a module to accomplish a one off task. I found the iMacro browser extension really useful (http://www.iopus.com/imacros/firefox/?ref=fxhome and http://www.iopus.com/imacros/firefox/?ref=fxhome). You can record macros to fill in forms (eg a node add form), and you can also set them up to loop over a CSV file - it's extremely flexible. I've used this to import 200 nodes to my site.
How did you do that?
Maybe you could share more about how you did that, or put up some more direct links to the information.
I need to import 400 items with multiple fields CSV into nodes D6.
I looked over the docs, but it may take a couple days to get a grasp of how to use the imacros as you describe.
Probably just missed something when I was reading the docs.
I did notice the firefox version is watered down some of the features are a bit more difficult to access without wizards.
The extract feature is available, but it has to be setup manually. The docs are abit difficult to follow in places.
Importing with Drupal could sure use improvements, especially for some of us who are constantly maintaining site data records.
Thanks for the posting always good to get the information.
See macro examples
The iMacros add-on comes with a number of example macros listed under the iMacros Favorites folder. Activate iMacros and select the "Demo-Loop-Csv-2-Web.iim" example, then click on edit tab to examine the macro. In the example the data source is stored in file Address.csv. Using Node Import is ok for me, as I can disable the module after completing the import.