The 3Dsellers SKU generator creates SKU codes for many listings at once from a formula you build, such as a few letters from the category, the brand and some random characters. Select your listings in the Listings Manager, open Bulk Actions, then Manage, then Generate SKUs. Save a formula you like with Save as Template and pick it from SKU Code Template: next time.
⚠️ In the 3Dsellers SKU generator, if you fill in the Variation SKU code formula (optional): it needs a Random Characters block, or a Variation Value block when the window offers one. Without one, 3Dsellers warns that every variation gets the same SKU, which the marketplace rejects, and greys out Generate. Codes are also limited to 20 characters.
In this article:
Where do I find the SKU generator?
You open the 3Dsellers SKU generator from the Listings Manager. Use these steps for your eBay listings.
Go to Listings & Products and open Listings Manager, then pick a segment such as Active.
Tick the listings that need SKUs. Bulk Actions stays greyed out until at least one row is ticked.
Click Bulk Actions. In the group Manage, click Generate SKUs. You can also type sku in Search bulk actions... to find it.
The 3Dsellers menu item Generate SKUs is in the Bulk Actions menu of the Active, Unsold Active, Scheduled and Missing SKU segments.
On the Ended segment the Manage group has no Generate SKUs item.
On the Missing SKU and Duplicate SKU segments the same window opens from a button, described below.
To change SKUs another way, see 3 Ways to Update SKUs on Your Listings.
What is in the SKU generator window?
The 3Dsellers SKU generator window is called SKU generator. Its intro line says codes are up to 20 characters.
Part of the window | What it does |
SKU Code Template: | A button that opens your list of templates. It first reads Select Template. |
SKU code formula: | The blocks that make up one SKU, with a separator between them and a counter such as 10/20 showing how many of the 20 characters you use. |
Variation SKU code formula (optional): | A second formula for listings with variations. If you leave it empty, the SKU code formula above is applied to each child SKU. |
Additional options: | The letter case of the finished SKU: All lowercase, All capital or Normal text. |
Preview | A search box where you pick a listing to see a sample SKU under SKU code formula:. |
Cancel, Save as Template, Generate | Close the window, save the formula as a template, or create the SKUs. |
The 3Dsellers SKU generator opens with a starter formula: Random Characters, a dash, Random Characters, a dash and the free text 3d.
How do I use or save a SKU template?
A SKU template in 3Dsellers is a saved SKU code formula. Use one to avoid rebuilding the same formula each time.
Use a template
In the SKU generator window, click the button next to SKU Code Template:.
Click a template. Its blocks fill the SKU code formula: and the counter updates.
Three templates are built in, and templates you save yourself come after them:
Random Letters & Digits - three random letters, three random digits and the free text 3d.
Cat + Brand + Random - three characters of category, three of brand and three random characters.
Cat + Brand + Model + Random - the same plus five characters of model number. It uses 17 of the 20 characters.
Save your own template
Build your formula in the SKU generator window.
Click Save as Template.
Type a name under Template Name: and click Save. 3Dsellers confirms with a message that the template was created.
⭐ Next to each template you saved there is a trash icon. Clicking it deletes that template straight away, with no confirmation. The built-in templates have no trash icon.
How do I build a SKU code formula?
A formula in the 3Dsellers SKU generator is a row of blocks. Each block has a pencil icon to edit it and, from the second block on, an x icon to remove it. Between two blocks, a small menu sets the separator: #, /, -, _, :, . or None. A new block gets # as its separator.
Click ADD at the end of the SKU code formula: row.
Under Input Type:, choose the kind of block.
Fill in its fields and click Save. The block is added to the formula. Click Cancel to close without adding.
Input Type | What it adds | Fields |
Product Attribute | A value from the listing or product, such as Brand, Category Name, Model Number, MPN, UPC, Condition or Price. | Attribute: (pick from the list), Character Limit:, Add Lookup List |
Free Text | Fixed text you type, the same on every SKU. | Input Value:. The text length is the number of characters used. |
Random Characters | Random characters, so each SKU is different. | Additional Options: Letters & digits., Only letters. or Only digits., and Character Limit: |
What is a lookup list?
Add Lookup List on a Product Attribute block lets you swap one value for another. For example, if the attribute "Color" is "Yellow", you can match it to "Gold-Tone". Enter the pairs under Source Value and Destination Value, and use +Add New Line for more rows.
How many characters can a SKU have?
A SKU made by the 3Dsellers SKU generator can be up to 20 characters. Each block uses its Character Limit: (a Free Text block uses the length of its text), and each separator uses one more. The counter beside the formula, for example 17/20, shows the total. The limit applies to the SKU code formula and to the Variation SKU code formula. If either goes over 20, Generate is greyed out and its tooltip reads "SKU codes are limited to 20 characters."
How do I choose upper or lower case?
Under Additional options:, choose All lowercase (selected when the window opens), All capital or Normal text.
How do I check a sample before generating?
Under Preview, click the search box that reads Type to search... and pick one of your listings to see a sample under SKU code formula:.
How do I give variations their own SKUs?
For listings with variations, the 3Dsellers SKU generator lets you build a separate Variation SKU code formula (optional): so each child SKU is unique. Click ADD under it and build it the same way as the main formula.
Add a Random Characters block, for example three characters, so every variation gets a different code.
Or add a Variation Value block. This Input Type appears only in the variation formula, and only when you open the SKU generator from Bulk Actions, Manage, Generate SKUs. It is not in the main formula, and not in the window opened from the Missing SKU or Duplicate SKU buttons or from the Product Catalog. Type the name of the variation exactly as the listing spells it, such as "Size" or "Color". Each variation then adds its own value to its SKU.
If you leave the variation formula empty, 3Dsellers applies the main SKU code formula: to each child SKU.
⚠️ A variation formula in the Listings Manager that has no Random Characters block and no Variation Value block would give every variation the same SKU, which the marketplace rejects. 3Dsellers shows the warning "This variation SKU formula gives every variation the same SKU" and disables Generate until you add one.
When you edit a single listing that has variations with empty SKUs, a Generate Variation SKUs button fills in only the empty ones. Its window shows only the variation formula, and Random Characters is the block that makes each code different. Nothing is saved until you save or revise the listing.
What happens when I click Generate?
Check the counter and, if you like, a Preview.
Click Generate.
The window closes at once. 3Dsellers creates the SKUs for the ticked listings in the background.
In the Listings Manager, the progress message reads Generating Missing SKUs is in progress. and the result reads Missing SKUs generated successfully. or Error occurred while generating Missing SKUs. The report is called Generate Missing SKUs.
How do I fix Missing SKU and Duplicate SKU listings?
The Listings Manager has two segments that collect SKU problems. They are hidden by default: click Show more under Listings Segments to see Missing SKU and Duplicate SKU. See How to Use Segments and Custom Segments in 3Dsellers Listing Tool.
Missing SKU
Tick listings, then choose one of two buttons at the top. Both stay greyed out until a row is ticked.
Generate Missing SKUs opens the SKU generator window so you choose the formula.
Auto-Fix Missing SKUs asks for confirmation and fills the SKUs without a formula. The confirmation reads: This action will automatically generate SKU codes for all missing entries by adding random characters, keeping each under the 32-character limit.
Duplicate SKU
SKU Generator opens the same SKU generator window.
Auto Fix Duplicate SKUs adds random characters to duplicates, keeping them under 32 characters, and updates the listings in the connected channel with the new SKUs.
Mark as not Duplicate SKU asks you to confirm, then marks the ticked listings as not duplicate SKUs.
Can I generate SKUs in the Product Catalog?
Yes. The 3Dsellers Product Catalog has its own Missing SKU segment under Action Required, described as "Add or generate SKUs for products that don't have SKUs."
Open Product Catalog and click Missing SKU under Action Required.
Tick the products.
Click Generate Missing SKUs. The same SKU generator window opens.
In the Product Catalog, the window shows an extra line: All generated SKUs will automatically update in all connected selling channels for the associated products.
A product without a SKU cannot be added to your 3Dsellers products, so generate or type one first. For duplicates found during import, see How 3Dsellers Matches and Merges Products During Import.
Troubleshooting
I can't find Generate SKUs in Bulk Actions
Tick at least one listing, then open Bulk Actions and Manage. The item is not in the menu on the Ended segment. Use Active, Unsold Active, Scheduled or Missing SKU.
The Generate button is greyed out
Hover over Generate to read why. "First create a formula." means both formulas are empty. "SKU codes are limited to 20 characters." means your blocks and separators add up to more than 20. The warning about every variation getting the same SKU means the Variation SKU code formula needs a Random Characters block, or a Variation Value block when you opened the window from Bulk Actions.
3Dsellers says every variation gets the same SKU
A Variation SKU code formula without a Variation Value or Random Characters block gives all variations one code, which the marketplace rejects, so 3Dsellers disables Generate. Add a Random Characters block of three or more characters to the variation formula. Auto Fix Duplicate SKUs on the Duplicate SKU segment can fix SKUs already listed as duplicates.
My saved template disappeared
Clicking the trash icon next to a saved template deletes it immediately. Rebuild the formula and click Save as Template again.
FAQ
How long can a SKU from the 3Dsellers SKU generator be?
Up to 20 characters. The counter beside the SKU code formula shows how many you use, and Generate is disabled above 20.
Why does 3Dsellers warn that every variation gets the same SKU?
Because the Variation SKU code formula has no Random Characters block and no Variation Value block, so each variation would get an identical code. The marketplace rejects that, so add a Random Characters block, or a Variation Value block if you opened the window from Bulk Actions.
Does the SKU generator have ready-made templates?
Yes - three: Random Letters & Digits, Cat + Brand + Random and Cat + Brand + Model + Random. Templates you save appear after them.
How do I delete a SKU template?
Click the trash icon next to a template you saved. It is deleted at once with no confirmation, and the built-in templates cannot be deleted.
Does the Product Catalog SKU generator update my selling channels?
Yes - when you open the SKU generator from the Product Catalog, 3Dsellers says all generated SKUs automatically update in all connected selling channels for the associated products.