File Exchange Item Specifics Category template - where do I get category numbers?

[huntfor]

I downloaded the File Exchange Item Specifics Category template. Where do I get the category numbers for column "C"? 

Note to @shipscript I think I've decided to use FE and then go back and add photos after I've successfully uploaded ONE PRODUCT.  I remember the discussions we had a few years ago. 

[shipscript]

@huntfor 

File Exchange (FE) has a different "Item Specifics" template for each category. Unfortunately, the FE page where you can  download that template no longer links to a category selector to get a number.  I have found that, as I use categories, the FE page will remember those categories and I can then select from a droplist; otherwise, until that list is built, I have to go looking for a number to download a previously unused template.  But the downloaded template does not carry a category number.

https://pages.ebay.com/file_exchange/SMP_FEselecttemplate.html?id=0

eBay deprecated (ended) a very useful tool last autumn that provided both the category number and the list of expected item specfics.  Currently, I find similar items and use the left column menu on the desktop search page as a category selector. Hovering (or clicking) the category in the left column, I can see the category number in the URL.  It shouldn't be this hard to get a number.

One would expect that the downloaded Item Specifics template would carry a category number in column "C", but I have found that similar categories might use exactly the same specifics, so this might be why the category number is not provided with the template.

Anyway, this is an area of File Exchange that I would like to see improved.  @Anonymous 

[curiousone-wny]

The links to this information on on the Instructions & Resources page at File Exchange. The link for Category Code Finder refers to a page that lists Category updates:

 https://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/categorychanges.html  Helpful, but a bit to navigate.

I found it easier to use the ConditionID by Category CSV file because the categories are listed alphabetically:

https://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/categorychanges.html 

FYI: The template and instructions you downloaded are outdated. Some of the fields have changed or deprecated. I'm trying to find the most current information myself!

I hope this helps - good luck!

[huntfor]

I had already found the first one but it just shows changes from what I can see. Which file are you referring to from the link that you gave for the condition ID by category CSV file?

how do I know which of the correct category fuse use in the template? I knew it was outdated but I don't know where to get the latest. I hope we both can find it. 

[huntfor]

@shipscript John@tools @curiousone-wny 

1.  I downloaded  the "Items Specific Category" template, but since it's outdated where can I get one with the latest column headings?

2. This is not intuitive but I understand it:  The only way to find a specific category is to search for the product I want to sell and read across the subcategories.  Then view the URL to find the category  number.

example:  https://www.ebay.com/b/Car-Truck-Bicycle-Racks/177849/bn_1865384 and

subcategory is 177849 ?

[huntfor]

*how do I know which of the correct category fuse use in the template? 
Ignore that sentence in my above reply.  I kept on referring back-and-forth to those links and got confused. 

[curiousone-wny]

**bleep**, sorry. I posted the same link twice. Here is the ConditionID by Category file:

https://ir.ebaystatic.com/pictures/aw/pics/pdf/ConditionIDs_by_Category-us.csv 

[curiousone-wny]

1. It is outdated, but that is the template creator they have. All you really need to is make sure you have all the correct fields necessary for your category. (whatever they are - I wish they would share that info). Each field is a column, so you probably don't need many already on the template either. The "File Exchange Advanced Template Instructions" is the most helpful so far, but still out of date (Oct 2015):
https://ir.ebaystatic.com/pictures/aw/pics/pdf/us/file_exchange/File_Exchange_Advanced_Instructions.... 

2. That is the hard, slow way to find CategoryIDs. Use the spreadsheet I linked to above. Find the category in the alpha list (column D), and the CategoryID is in column C.

[huntfor]

@curiousone-wny I got scared for a minute. LOL.  How did you locate that file?  I'd like to download it directly from the original source. This way I can bookmark the link in case the info changes.  Thanks. 

[huntfor]

@shipscript @curiousone-wny John@tools - is this really how I have to use a template?  I have to create one on my own and figure out which details I need to put in for each particular item I want to sell?

[curiousone-wny]

The link is shown in my post. It is a direct download from eBay. But you should actually bookmark the Instructions & Resources page, in case the post a direct link to a newer file.

https://pages.ebay.com/file_exchange/instructionsandresources.html 

To create a new template for a specific category, click on "Select Template" on the left under "Upload". Then click on Select a category under the top option, "Item Specifics Category template". If you haven't created that template before, enter the CategoryID in the box and click on the Generate Template button.

[huntfor]

I'll look at the category IDs and create a template and see what happens.  I already created a template without an ID which is what got me nowhere. LOL.  I'll let you know what happens. 

[shipscript]

example:  https://www.ebay.com/b/Car-Truck-Bicycle-Racks/177849/bn_1865384 and

subcategory is 177849 ?

Yes, that will get you to category 177849.  The other number in that URL is their catalog grouping number.

From May onward, you can use the new 2021 category spreadsheet that eBay has offered on their sellerinfo page:

https://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/categorychanges.html

https://ir.ebaystatic.com/pictures/aw/pics/catchanges/2021/CA_New_Structure_(May2021).csv

In the meantime, send me a community message and I'll email you the older spreadsheet from last summer 2020.

I had started a new tool to help sellers like you with your File Exchange spreadsheet data, but eBay ended their Item Specifics tool that I was integrating into my own  {{sigh}}.  It's always so sad when they do that.  It would have been a great match because eBay's Item Specifics lookup tool was always up to date, until they killed it, and my online tool would have converted that to spreadsheet droplists for File Exchange.

https://www.isdntek.com/ebaytools/ItemSpecificsEditor.htm

[huntfor]

@shipscript I had bookmarked your tools page yesterday to use as soon as I got a template created.  Would have loved the new tool you were creating. I'm sorry that you spent so much time on it and then eBay got rid of the Items specifics tool. 😞

I downloaded the category spreadsheet  that we can begin using May 2021.  Is that going to make it easier to create our Item Specifics templates?

Thank you!

[huntfor]

From your link,  I downloaded and bookmarked the complete file exchange advanced instructions. I actually have them on my hard drive from two years ago but had hoped they would be updated.