Problem Importing Sub Categories With Same Name - Is this a bug?

[SteveM]

I have imported my categories via a csv file successfully, but I'm having issues when attempting to upload sub categories via another csv file if I attempt to use the same naming convention for multiple categories.

I have my main category import file as follows:

ID    Active    Name    Parent Category
2         1      VW Golf          1
3         1      VW Jetta         1
4         1      VW Polo          1

Which results in a menu similar to this:

VW Golf
VW Jetta
VW Polo

Now within each category I want to import the following sub-categories

If I import a csv file with just one group of sub categories:

ID    Active    Name    Parent Category
100    1    01.Exterior         2
101    1    02.Interior         2
102    1    03.Wheels           2

My menu displays correctly with categories & a sub category

[-]VW Golf
   Exterior
   Interior
   Wheels
VW Jetta
VW Polo

But if I use a csv file with multiple sub categories for all categories:

ID    Active    Name    Parent Category
100    1    01.Exterior          2
101    1    02.Interior          2
102    1    03.Wheels            2
103    1    01.Exterior          3
104    1    02.Interior          3
105    1    03.Wheels            3
106    1    01.Exterior          4
107    1    02.Interior          4
108    1    03.Wheels            4

This is what I get:

VW Golf
VW Jetta
VW Polo

No sub categories are displayed!

Is this a bug or am I doing something wrong?

[SteveM]

Bump.

Has no one else experienced this problem?

[rocky]

Importing categories with the same name is currently not possible in Prestashop. In Prestashop v1.2.0.6 and later, there is a message at the bottom of the product import page that notes this.

[MaartenPol]

In the future could this be possible?

[rocky]

The last time it was reported as a bug, the Prestashop team chose to add a message rather than fix it, so I'm guessing they won't. I noticed that you filed a bug report on it. It will be interesting to see whether they decide to fix it this time. One thing you could try is adding a different number prefix to each category with the same name. That should trick the importer into creating multiple categories with the same name, unless it strips the prefix before comparing.

[webplus]

Another solution for importing the categories with the same name:

 

I mark them with some unique strings to distinguish them in CSV file:

1) Categoryname somestring

2) Categoryname someotherstring

 

And after successfull import I cut the string in database with this simple query (you have to change the column and fields):

 

UPDATE table_name SET column_name = REPLACE(column_name,'original_string','replace_string')

Edited August 1, 2012 by webplus (see edit history)