There are several ways to upload inventory files – to add new listings, remove sold books, and to update existing listings. AbeBooks accepts files created in almost any type of inventory management system or spreadsheet/database program, but files sent to AbeBooks must be in a tab-delimited text format.
› Learn more about third-party inventory management programs that integrate with AbeBooks
If you sell on other marketplaces or in a storefront, it is essential to keep your online data up-to-date. When inventory is kept up-to-date, duplicate orders are less likely to occur, meaning fewer rejected orders. Please upload as frequently as necessary to keep your inventory current; most sellers find daily uploads sufficient but depending on sales volume, you may find you need to upload more or less often. AbeBooks reserves the right to control inventory update schedules for specific booksellers in order to ensure efficient processing.
› Learn more about inventory management options for large volume sellers
To upload an inventory file via [My Account] simply:
New sellers uploading their first inventory file, or existing sellers uploading in a new format, must notify Customer Support and provide:
FTPS allows you to securely transfer files from one computer to another over the Internet. HomeBase, AbeBooks’ free inventory management software, includes a built-in upload feature.
If you are not using HomeBase, you will need to install your own FTPS software. Free examples include FileZilla and Cyberduck, suitable for both Mac and PC users.
To protect the security of your information, AbeBooks will only accept files via FTP Secure (FTPS) with TLS 1.2 protocol support. Ensure your software’s security or protocol field is set to ‘explicit FTP over TLS’.
This might be phrased differently depending on your software, but the key terms to look for are ‘explicit’ and ‘TLS’. Some examples are:
Cyberduck: FTP-SSL (Explicit AUTH TLS)
FileZilla: Require explicit FTP over TLS
Transmit: FTP with TLS/SSL
Follow your software’s instructions for uploading a file. The settings you will need are as follows:
FTP name: ftp.AbeBooks.com
User ID: Your AbeBooks UserID. Enter it in UPPERCASE with no spaces. Your UserID is not your AbeBooks email address. If you don’t know your UserID, go to [My Account] and click ‘Account Details’ under ‘My Personal Information’ then on ‘Marketplace Profile.’ Your UserID will be displayed lower down on the page.
Password: Your AbeBooks API Key with no spaces › Learn more about the unique API Key
When you sell a book in your bookstore or on another marketplace, it is vital that you remove the book from AbeBooks. You must also be careful not to accidentally re-upload books that have been previously sold. If you receive an orders for previously sold book that you must cancel, it will negatively impact your Completion Rate.
To remove sold books you can do any of the following: