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What are the key differentiators between XML and CSV export?
What are the key differentiators between XML and CSV export?
R
Written by Rihad Suljic
Updated over a week ago

Findologic offers its customers the possibility to export the data from the shop in CSV format as well as in XML format. In the following, you will find a list of distinguishing features, which is roughly divided into advantages and disadvantages of the respective format:

XML Advantages

  • The file encoding is defined by an attribute, e.g.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
  • The product data can be loaded dynamically via the URL parameters start and count.

  • No limit on the number of products that can be exported

  • Validation of the structure of the XML document using an XML schema

  • User groups can be applied not only to product visibility, but also to various XML elements such as properties, descriptions, prices, etc.

  • Special characters do not have to be encoded by using the keyword CDATA, e.g.

<![CDATA[Produkte & Inhalt]]>

XML disadvantages

  • To extend the XML export file, you must have a technical understanding of the predefined XML schema.

CSV Advantages

  • Can be generated automatically on the shop server, e.g. using a Cronjob. The generated CSV file must then be retrievable via HTTP for the import at Findologic.

  • CSV format is more compact than XML format.

  • The entire export is a file and can be made available for direct download via a URL.

CSV disadvantages

  • File encoding is limited to UTF-8.

  • A validation of the structure cannot be performed with the CSV format.

  • User groups can only be applied to the visibility of products; with different attributes (e.g. prices), an additional product must be exported.

  • Attributes must be URL-encoded, which can lead to errors if used incorrectly.

  • The characters "|" Pipeline and "#" hash characters cannot be used in item numbers

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