Changing an item to a variation under another item.

[Stacey218]

I just bought a gift store and in the items list the previous owner had listed everything out individually. I want to combine items that are the same (ex: Large ceramic trinket plates by one artist) under one item with variations that define the different designs.  There is currently over 7000 items that I would have to go through and copy and paste and/or archive/delete. Is there not a simpler way to do this?  Other systems I have used have a merger or even a drop down button to allow you to change to a different product/vendor. Is there a way to do this in the retail square platform? 

[Candlestore]

@Stacey218 ;

Best way I can think of doing this is by Exporting your Catalog by csv or Excel.  

Then you would have to find the Column Header you would like to Change for the Item(s), go down that column and change them one by one.  Now if you were Changing All vender A to Vender B for example under the Default Vendor you could do Find and Replace All with most csv editors, which would save alot of time.  You can also do this with Category or Reporting Category.

The Idea of having an Item of Plates with multiple Variations is a great idea but currently there is no way to move and Item in Square to a Variation of another Item and keep all the data of the sold item you have.  

I just tried something similar for my store.  I created all my items individually but then kept duplicating the Description except for the container or size of candle.  So I created Item Scent of Candle with 18-23 variations of Sizes but had the scent Desription once for the Item.   There was no way for me to move the Item to a Varation of another item.  

Now you could create a Plates Category and have all your Plates with Different Vendors in that category and keep historical data.