Enhanced Export / Import & Backup Feature

OK, here is my idea...

A feature that will export all database data to a CSV file, in an organized fashion, such as line by line orders with the different data fields in columns. Maybe have misc data, such as order totals, at the top or bottom of the file, etc.

The point of this featured would be the ability to Export/Backup everything in the database to a CSV file, and then be able to restore that file to any future version of opencart, because we would standardize the format of the file. This would also allow easy editing of the file in programs such as Excel between upgrades, and would allow users to do a full backup, do a clean opencart install, and then restore their store....

What do you think?

It sounds like an adaptation to the backup/restore option that is already in place.

right now it saves to an sql file, not a CSV file, it was just an idea, wanted to get everyone's take on it.

I don't think the full backup should save to csv. sql is a much better solution for a full backup. with csv you would need one file per table, then they would be mostly useless for people to edit since they all reference each other by id that most customers won't understand and even if they do is a pain to keep track of. I think the full backup should stay sql, but I do think a new csv based import export needs to be created for a few reasons.
1) csv files can be parsed serial so you can parse very large file which you cannot easily do with the current .xls export.
2) It needs to add the ability to update instead of simply overwrite everything like the current import/export script does. This would give you the ability to import your data in chunks if desired, and allow you to simply use it as a quick update mechanism for price/qty data etc.

That sounds like a good idea

Hello,

I think Xsecrets's idea is good !
It seems to join to this topic's demand.

The actual extension at this address isn't perfect (but already pretty good )... It's could be better to permit :

• import/export all product's languages
• give choice between format xls and csv (I agree xls isn't compelling)
• give choice to export/import just that we want (products, categories, etc.)

After, we could imagine to do the same with some other entities : customers, orders and so on...

I second this enhancement.. in addition, it should also have a feature to import customers' data, as currently there doesn't seem to be a way to do it..

Have about 30 customers to import from csv file (exported from CS-CART).