At first I was critical of an earlier version of this offering on one of the Virtuemart forums. I could not get it to import it's own product export file.

However, the latest version is very good indeed. If you want to be able to export your Virtuemart product and category information to a CSV file for modifying in MS Excel or OpenOffice Scalc then this component is indispensable.

I apologise for criticising the earlier version, I should have waited for the newer version to come out. I will donate a fiver to you if you tell me where the link is to do so!

Using CSV Improved 0.9 I find a number of issues with exporting a Google base XML file.

1. If you select either manufacturer or a shopper group other then All, your file will not export.
2. If you list several attributes in a sequence like g:payment_accepted which should allow for multiple entries, only one entry is actually exported.
3. No provision to export the product category name which could answer the g:product_type field name for Google.
4. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that the cron portion of the code is written properly (or perhaps the instructions are not clear) as even when invoking a template that is supposed to output, the file insists on trying to read an input file and thus fails.

Other then that, the program does seem to function OK. Given the issues found and the fact that the author is converting the 1.5 version to commercial, I would not be able to give more then an average rating to this component.

An excellent time saving component with first class support from RolandD. Many thanks Roland.

TonyG

Takes a little bit of figuring how to use it but once you have the broad idea this is priceless. Thanks to Roland for his efforts.

I had a short period of stumbling with this at first as I've never dealt with mass importing of products or csv, but after getting this down pat, with amazing support from Roland, this product is priceless!
The amount of time it will save me getting my products up on virtuemart is worth it's weight in gold.

Thank you!!!!

This addon for Virtuemart does so many things, it's a very powerful tool.

The need to export from VM in Excel format (e.g. CSV files) is central to so many business functions, whether it be for accounting, business intelligence, stock control, etc.

I'm astounded that VM haven't put more into developing this side of the extension, but RolandD has done an excellent job. He responds to questions very promptly and is frank and honest about what is being developed, what bugs exist and how long it'll take to get things fixed.

All together, this is an excellent addon which is being actively developed! It has huge potential and I'll certainly be using it a lot!