Getting Started with Custom Channels
This article helps you get started with Custom Channels by explaining what you need before you begin and outlining the initial steps to create your first channel.
Custom Channels allow you to work with retailer-provided XLSX or XLSM templates and configure them directly in Activation to support your specific business and retailer requirements.
Before you begin
Before creating a Custom Channel, make sure you have:
- Access to Akeneo Activation
- A retailer-provided XLSX or XLSM file that defines the product template
- A basic understanding of which sheets and columns contain product data
Evaluate whether that channel already has an official channel within Akeneo Activation
Understand the destination
Custom Channels rely on your understanding of the retailer’s requirements. Incomplete configuration or unclear help definitions can lead to incorrect or unusable files, so review and configure attributes carefully.
Create your first Custom Channel
To get started, navigate to the Custom Channels section in Activation and create a new channel.
You’ll be guided through a short setup process where you:
- Name your channel
- Upload the retailer template
- Select which parts of the file contain product data
- Configure how your product information should populate the file
Detailed instructions for each step are covered in the next article.
What to expect during setup
Guided configuration
Custom Channels guide you through configuration step by step. You’ll be able to:
- Review attributes extracted from the file
- Define required and optional fields
- Manage attribute types, allowed values, and help text
- Configure how products will display in Activation
You can adjust these settings at any time after the channel is created.
What’s next?
Next steps
Continue to Configuring Custom Channels to follow the step-by-step process for uploading your file and configuring your Custom Channel.