TRAEDE can generate both item numbers and SKUs automatically instead of you typing a unique one for every product and variant. The two generators sit side by side in the same settings screen and are configured independently — though a typical SKU template is built directly on top of the item number.
Good to know: Every new TRAEDE account is now pre-installed with both generators already active: an item number generator starting at 1000, and a SKU generator using item_number-variant_attributes. You don't need to set anything up unless you want to change the format.
Where to set this up
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down to Product data.
- You'll find two templates next to each other: Item number template and SKU template.
Item number template
An item number template is built from elements. Add as many as you need, in the order you want them to appear.
| Element | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Number series | Simple sequential numbering (1000, 1001, 1002…). |
| Fixed input | A fixed prefix you choose, e.g. MASTER-. |
| Category | The item number code assigned to the product's category. Codes are set on the Categories page. |
| Subbrand or collection | The code assigned to the product's subbrand or collection, if you use one. Codes are set on the Subbrands page. |
Example setups
-
Simple series: Number series starting at 1000 →
1000,1001,1002. -
Brand prefix + series: Fixed input "MASTER-" + Number series starting at 1000 →
MASTER-1000,MASTER-1001. -
Category + series: Category code + Number series →
M-AJ-1050, whereAJis the code for "Accessories Jewelry." -
Subbrand + series: Subbrand code + Number series →
A-1000.
SKU template
The SKU template usually builds on the item number. A typical template is the item number followed by a Variant attributes element — for example, STYLE1000-Black-S.
| Type | What it does |
|---|---|
| Item number | Inserts the product's item number. |
| Variant attributes | Inserts the variant's actual attribute values, e.g. Black, S. |
| Variant attribute codes | Inserts each attribute value's code instead of its name. This only works if every value has a code assigned — choosing this mode means TRAEDE will require a code for any new attribute value, whether it's added in the UI or via the importer. |
Between elements you can set a Prefix and Separator (default -). A prefix is only inserted when the product actually has that data — a product with no attributes at all simply gets the item number as its SKU.
Turning it on when creating a product
In the product creation window, an Autogenerate checkbox sits next to the item number field. Ticked, TRAEDE builds the item number from your template; unticked, you type it in yourself. SKUs are generated the same way per variant once you've set the product's attributes — you don't need to fill them in separately unless you want to override one.
Duplicating a product
The same generators apply when you duplicate a product, with one extra behavior worth knowing about. The Item number field defaults to Autogenerate, and the SKUs listed for the new variants show a literal {item_number} placeholder — for example, {item_number}-BrownBlackOxidized-OS. TRAEDE swaps that placeholder for the real, generated item number once you save, including in any SKU you've edited by hand. If you don't want the item number inserted into a particular SKU, delete the placeholder from it before saving.
For everything else that carries over when duplicating — drops, suppliers, cost prices — see How to duplicate a product.
Using the generators with the importer
Both generators also work when creating products through the product importer:
-
Item number: enter
autoin the item number column to have TRAEDE generate it. If you're importing multiple variants of the same product, add a grouping number — e.g.auto_1for all variants of one product,auto_2for the next — so TRAEDE knows which rows belong together. Without a grouping number, variants can get merged incorrectly. - SKU: the SKU generator applies the same way during import.