Concepts & resources
#Products
The Product is the central resource of our PIM and, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense since what we are doing is Product Management. 😉
In the sections below, you will find all the different flavors of products you can find in the PIM.
Each section below contains an explanation of the concept behind these resources. You will find out more about their usage in the PIM and their JSON format in order for them to interact with the REST API.
#Product
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
The product is the central entity of the PIM. This is the entity that holds all the information concerning products.
It can be classified in several categories. It can belong to a group and inherit its attributes from a family. It can hold associations with other products or group of products.
In other words, this really is the heart entity of the PIM.
In the Akeneo UI, in the 1.7 version, you can find the products in the Enrich/Products menu. Since the 2.0, it's below the Products menu.
Below is an example of a product in the UI.
Below is the JSON standard format representing a product.
{
"uuid": "fc24e6c3-933c-4a93-8a81-e5c703d134d5",
"family": "clothing",
"parent": "jack_brown",
"categories": [
"tshirts"
],
"enabled": true,
"values": {
"sku": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "1111111195"
}
],
"ean": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "1234567890207"
}
],
"size": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "s"
}
],
"weight": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": {
"amount": "800.0000",
"unit": "GRAM"
}
}
],
"color": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "brown"
}
],
"name": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "jack"
}
],
"erp_name": [
{
"locale": "en_US",
"scope": null,
"data": "Jack"
}
],
"collection": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": [
"summer_2017"
]
}
]
},
"created": "2017-10-05T11:25:48+02:00",
"updated": "2017-10-05T11:25:48+02:00",
"associations": {},
"quantified_associations": {},
"metadata": {
"workflow_status": "working_copy"
},
"quality_scores": [
{
"scope": "ecommerce",
"locale": "en_US",
"data": "A"
}
],
"completenesses": [
{
"scope": "ecommerce",
"locale": "en_US",
"data": 45
},
{
"scope": "ecommerce",
"locale": "fr_FR",
"data": 90
}
]
}
Note that the parent field is only available starting from the v2, as this is a brand new feature introduced in the v2.0.
Note that the metadata field is only available starting from the v2 and as it is an Enterprise Edition feature, you won't have this field on a Community Edition PIM.
The quantified_associations field is only available since the 5.0.
Note that the quality_scores field is only available since the 5.0 and when the with_quality_scores query parameter is set to true.
Note that the completenesses field is only available since the 6.0, and when the with_completenesses query parameter is set to true.
#Convert a variant product to a simple product
Available in the PIM versions: 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
A variant product, which has a product model as parent, can be converted to a simple product by removing its parent. To perform this action through the API, you just have to update the parent field to null.
By default all the former values, categories and associations (included those defined at the parent level) will be kept if they are not specified in the PATCH request.
#Focus on the product values
Product values hold all the information of the product. They are part of the Product resource. In concrete terms, it is the values of the product attributes.
In the REST API, the product values are in the property values of the product entity.
#The global format
A product value follows this format:
{
"values": {
ATTRIBUTE_CODE: [
{
"locale": LOCALE_CODE,
"scope": CHANNEL_CODE,
"data": DATA_INFORMATION,
"linked_data": LINKED_DATA,
"attribute_type": ATTRIBUTE_TYPE,
"reference_data_name": REFERENCE_DATA_NAME
}
]
}
}
In this formula:
ATTRIBUTE_CODEis the code of an attribute of the product,LOCALE_CODEis the code of a locale when the attribute is localizable, should be equal tonullotherwise. Check some examples here.CHANNEL_CODEis the code of a channel when the attribute is scopable, should be equal tonullotherwise. Check some examples here.DATA_INFORMATIONis the value stored for this attribute for this locale (if attribute is localizable) and this channel (if the attribute is scopable). Its type and format depend on the attribute type. Check some examples here.LINKED_DATAcontaining the attribute option labels if the attribute is a simple or multi select. Check some examples here. This property is only available since the 5.0.ATTRIBUTE_TYPEis the type of the value's attribute. (Only available in the SaaS version)REFERENCE_DATA_NAMEis the reference entity code when the attribute type isakeneo_reference_entityorakeneo_reference_entity_collectionOR Asset family code when the attribute type ispim_catalog_asset_collection. (Only available in the SaaS version)
Note that attribute_type and reference_data_name properties are read-only. You won't be able to patch or post it.
#The data format
The sections below describe the format of the data property for each product attribute type.
#Text and text area attributes
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is either pim_catalog_text or pim_catalog_textarea, the data field should contain a string.
Example
{
"values": {
"description": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "Tshirt long sleeves\nWinter special, 100% whool",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_text"
}
]
}
}
#Media file attributes
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is either pim_catalog_file or pim_catalog_image, the data field should contain a string, that should be the code of a product media file.
Example
{
"values": {
"packshot": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "f/2/e/6/f2e6674e0766acdc70f814_myFile.pdf",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_file"
}
]
}
}
#Date attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_date, the data field should contain a string, in ISO-8601 format.
Example
{
"values": {
"packshot": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "2021-04-29T08:58:00.101Z",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_date"
}
]
}
}
#Simple and multi select attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_simpleselect, the data field should contain a string, that should be the code of an attribute option.
#Example
{
"values": {
"main_color": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "blue",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_simpleselect"
}
]
}
}
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_multiselect, the data field should contain an array of strings, each string being the code of an attribute option.
#Example
{
"values": {
"materials": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": ["leather", "cotton"],
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_multiselect"
}
]
}
}
#Reference data simple and multi select attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Reference Data is the ancestor of Reference Entities.
On SaaS platforms, users can't create Reference Data attributes anymore.
More information about Reference Data and Reference Entities in the following Help Center article: Reference entities or reference data?
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_reference_data_simpleselect, the data field should contain a string, that should be the code of a reference data attribute option.
#Example
{
"values": {
"designer": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "bouroullec",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_reference_data_simpleselect",
"reference_data_name": "designer_ref"
}
]
}
}
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_reference_data_multiselect, the data field should contain an array of strings, each string being the code of a reference data attribute option.
#Example
{
"values": {
"collections": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": ["winter_2019", "spring_2020"],
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_reference_data_multiselect"
}
]
}
}
#Number attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_number, the data field should contain:
- an integer, whenever the
decimals_allowedproperty of the attribute is set tofalse. - a string representing a number, whenever the
decimals_allowedproperty of the attribute is set totrue.
#Examples
{
"values": {
"age": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": 40,
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_number"
}
]
}
}
{
"values": {
"typing_speed": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "89.897",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_number"
}
]
}
}
#Metric attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_metric, the data field should contain an object with following fields:
amount: a string representing a number if thedecimals_allowedproperty of the attribute is set totrue, otherwise an integer, containing amount valueunit: a string representing the metric unit for the specified amount
#Examples
{
"values": {
"power": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": {
"amount":10,
"unit": "KILOWATT"
},
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_metric"
}
]
}
}
{
"values": {
"height": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": {
"amount":"25.45",
"unit": "CENTIMETER"
},
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_metric"
}
]
}
}
#Price attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_price, the data field should contain an array of price objects, each containing:
amount: a string representing a number if thedecimals_allowedproperty of the attribute is set totrue, otherwise an integer, containing amount valuecurrency: a string representing the price currency for the specified amount
#Examples
{
"values": {
"recommended_price": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": [
{
"amount":200,
"currency": "USD"
}
],
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_price"
}
]
}
}
{
"values": {
"price": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": [
{
"amount":"25.50",
"currency": "EUR"
}
],
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_price"
}
]
}
}
#Boolean attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_boolean, the data field should contain either true or false.
#Example
{
"values": {
"is_smart": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": true,
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_boolean"
}
]
}
}
#Reference entity single and multiple links attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: EE
Whenever the attribute's type is akeneo_reference_entity, the data field should contain a string, that should be the code of a reference entity record.
#Example
{
"values": {
"designer": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "bouroullec",
"attribute_type": "akeneo_reference_entity",
"reference_data_name": "designer_ref"
}
]
}
}
Whenever the attribute's type is akeneo_reference_entity_collection, the data field should contain an array of strings, each string being the code of a reference entity record.
#Example
{
"values": {
"collections": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": ["winter_2019", "spring_2020"],
"attribute_type": "akeneo_reference_entity_collection",
"reference_data_name": "designer_ref"
}
]
}
}
#PAM asset collection attribute - Deprecated
Available in the PIM versions: 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.x | Available in the PIM editions: EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_assets_collection, the data field should contain an array of strings, each string being the code of a PAM asset.
#Example
{
"values": {
"userguides": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": ["guarantee_notice", "how_to_guide"],
"attribute_type": "pim_assets_collection",
"reference_data_name": "guides_images"
}
]
}
}
#Asset Manager asset collection attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 3.2 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: EE
Whenever the attribute's type is pim_catalog_asset_collection, the data field should contain an array of strings, each string being the code of an Asset Manager asset.
#Example
{
"values": {
"model_pictures": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": ["allie_jean_frontview", "allie_jean_backview"],
"attribute_type": "pim_assets_collection",
"reference_data_name": "packshots"
}
]
}
}
#Table attribute
Available in the PIM versions: 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: EE GE
Whenever the attribute type is pim_catalog_table, the data field should contain an array of rows, where each row is a key-value object, the key being the column code, and the value being the cell value.
#Example
{
"values": {
"Food_composition": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": [
{
"percentage": "28.5",
"composition": "Cooked_wheat_semolin"
},
{
"Origin": "France",
"allergen": false,
"percentage": "28.5",
"composition": "Vegetables"
},
{
"allergen": true,
"percentage": "28",
"composition": "Sauce"
},
{
"Origin": "France",
"allergen": false,
"percentage": "10",
"composition": "Cooked_cured_chicken_fillet"
},
{
"Origin": "Spain",
"allergen": false,
"percentage": "5",
"composition": "Pre_cooked_merguez"
},
{
"composition": "Frozen"
}
],
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_table"
}
]
}
}
Please note that we have defined some limits in order to guarantee the PIM stability.
- The maximum number of rows in a table is set to 100.
- The maximum number of table attributes within the PIM is set to 50.
- The maximum number of filled cells per product is set to 8000, for all the table attributes on a given product page.
#The locale and scope format
The product values can be localizable and/or scopable. Here are some examples to illustrate those different possibilities.
Product values should be localizable whenever you want to enrich different values among your activated locales.
Product values should be scopable whenever you want to enrich different values among your channels.
#Product values of a localizable attribute
The short_description attribute is localizable but not scopable, so it can hold several data values, up to one for each locale.
{
"short_description": [
{
"locale": "en_US",
"scope": null,
"data": "Tshirt long sleeves",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
},
{
"locale": "fr_FR",
"scope": null,
"data": "Tshirt manches longues",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
}
]
}
Note that the scope property is set to null in this case.
#Product values of a scopable attribute
The release_date attribute is scopable but not localizable, so it can hold several data values, up to one for each channel.
{
"release_date": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": "ecommerce",
"data": "2012-03-13T00:00:00+01:00",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_date"
},
{
"locale": null,
"scope": "mobile",
"data": "2012-04-23T00:00:00+01:00",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_date"
}
]
}
Note that the locale property is set to null in this case.
#Product values of a localizable and scopable attribute
The description attribute is both scopable and localizable, so it can hold several data values, up to one for each couple of channels and locales.
{
"description": [
{
"locale": "de_DE",
"scope": "mobile",
"data": "Akeneo Mug",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
},
{
"locale": "de_DE",
"scope": "print",
"data": "Akeneo Mug",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
},
{
"locale": "en_US",
"scope": "mobile",
"data": "Akeneo Mug",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
},
{
"locale": "en_US",
"scope": "print",
"data": "Akeneo Mug",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
},
{
"locale": "fr_FR",
"scope": "mobile",
"data": "Mug Akeneo",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
},
{
"locale": "fr_FR",
"scope": "print",
"data": "Mug Akeneo",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_textarea"
}
]
}
#Product value of a non localizable, non scopable attribute
The main_color attribute is neither scopable nor localizable, so it can hold only one data value.
{
"main_color": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "black",
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_simpleselect"
}
]
}
Note that the locale and scope properties are all set to null in this case.
#The linked_data format
Available in the PIM versions: 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
Note that this property is in read-only. You won't be able to patch or post it.
The sections below describe the format of the linked_data property for pim_catalog_simpleselect and pim_catalog_multiselect types.
#Simple select attribute
Whenever the attribute type is pim_catalog_simpleselect, the linked_data field will contain an object.
Example
{
"values": {
"main_color": [
{
"data": "black",
"linked_data": {
"attribute": "main_color",
"code": "black",
"labels": {
"en_US": "Black",
"fr_FR": "Noir"
}
}
}
]
}
}
#Multi select attribute
Whenever the attribute type is pim_catalog_multiselect, the linked_data field will contain an object.
Example
{
"values": {
"collection": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": [
"winter_2016"
],
"linked_data": {
"winter_2016": {
"attribute": "collection",
"code": "winter_2016",
"labels": {
"en_US": "Winter 2016",
"fr_FR": "Hiver 2016"
}
}
}
}
]
}
}
#Asset collection attribute
Whenever the attribute type is pim_catalog_asset_collection, the linked_data field will contain an object.
Example
{
"asset_collection": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": [
"left_side",
"right_side"
],
"linked_data": {
"left_side": {
"share_links": [
{
"_links": {
"self": {
"href": "https://asset-delivery.akeneo.com/asset_family/left_side.png"
}
}
}
]
},
"right_side": {
"share_links": [
{
"_links": {
"self": {
"href": "https://asset-delivery.akeneo.com/asset_family/right_side.png"
}
}
}
]
}
},
"attribute_type": "pim_catalog_asset_collection",
"reference_data_name": "asset_ref"
}
]
}
#Product model
Available in the PIM versions: 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
The product model gathers similar products that differ in some aspects, and allows the enrichment of their common properties.
It's like a product, but it's not a product! It can be categorized and it's composed of product values. For more information about what are the "product values", take a look to this dedicated piece of documentation.
In the Akeneo UI, product models are displayed in the grid, exactly like classical products. To distinguish them from products, notice the small pile of pictures: it symbolizes the fact that a product model gathers several products with different variants.
It's also possible to enrich a product model. Below, you can find a screenshot of what the UI looks like.
To finish, below is the JSON standard format representing a product model. Notice how similar it is to the product standard format!
{
"code": "jack",
"family": "clothing",
"family_variant": "clothing_color_size",
"parent": null,
"categories": [],
"values": {
"name": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "jack"
}
],
"erp_name": [
{
"locale": "en_US",
"scope": null,
"data": "Jack"
}
],
"collection": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": [
"summer_2017"
]
}
]
},
"created": "2017-10-05T11:24:46+02:00",
"updated": "2017-10-05T11:24:46+02:00",
"associations": {},
"quantified_associations": {},
"quality_scores": [
{
"scope": "ecommerce",
"locale": "en_US",
"data": "A"
}
],
"metadata": {
"workflow_status": "working_copy"
}
}
Note that the metadata field is only available since the 2.3 version and as it is an Enterprise Edition feature, you won't have this field on a Community Edition PIM.
Note that the family field is only available since the 3.2 version.
Note that the quality_scores field is only available since the 7.0 version and when the with_quality_scores query parameter is set to true.
#Published product - Deprecated
Available in the PIM versions: 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: EE
Important update: Published Products discontinuation. This feature is no longer actively supported and will soon be retired. We recommend exploring alternative solutions. Learn more in the help center
A published product is a product that was published by a user in order to freeze a given version of the product. It can be very useful when you want to work on a new version of your product for the next collection for example, but in the meantime, you still want to export the previous version of your product to your channels.
This is an Enterprise Edition feature. So you won't be able to call this endpoint if you are working on a Community Edition PIM. 😉
In the Akeneo UI since the 2.0 version, you can find the published products by clicking on the ... button in the top right corner, when you are on the products grid. Then select the Published products option. You will then see a grid really similar to the classical product grid.
Below is the JSON standard format representing a published product. Notice how totally similar to the classical product format it is!
{
"identifier": "11118726289",
"family": "mp3",
"parent": null,
"categories": [
"audio_video"
],
"enabled": true,
"values": {
"name": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "MP3 player"
}
],
"weight": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": {
"amount": "600.0000",
"unit": "GRAM"
}
}
],
"color": [
{
"locale": null,
"scope": null,
"data": "glossy_red"
}
]
},
"created": "2017-10-05T11:25:48+02:00",
"updated": "2017-10-05T11:25:48+02:00",
"associations": {}
}
Endpoints for the published products are only available starting the 2.0 version.
#Product media file
Available in the PIM versions: 1.7 2.x 3.x 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 SaaS | Available in the PIM editions: CE EE
A product media file can be an image (a photo, an illustration, etc.), a video (demonstration of a product, an animation, etc.), an audio file (music, podcast, etc.), other multimedia (PDF file) or office documents (.xlsx, .docx, .csv, etc.). It can also be any exotic format you could use.
It is used as the attribute value of a product, i.e. a product value.
In the Akeneo UI, you can find media files in the product form when they are associated to a media attribute.
Below is the JSON standard format representing a media file.
{
"code": "1/d/7/f/1d7f0987000cea4d14908fe679af4e36ea3632ef_10806799_1356.jpg",
"original_filename": "10806799-1356.jpg",
"mime_type": "image/jpeg",
"size": 16070,
"extension": "jpg",
"_links": {
"download": {
"href": "http://test-dev-feature-10.akeneo.com/api/rest/v1/media-files/1/d/7/f/1d7f0987000cea4d14908fe679af4e36ea3632ef_10806799_1356.jpg/download"
}
}
}