The term "uploads" covers two areas of file transfers; the type of file information and the method of file transfer.
AbeBooks accepts three types of information:
Book data files - A HomeBase, spreadsheet, or database file containing the detailed information about your book inventory. AbeBooks recommends the use of HomeBase 2.3 for your book management software.
You can download HomeBase on our Web site.
Picture files - JPG or GIF image files, 35 KB or smaller in size. You can display one picture for each of the books you list on AbeBooks. Images are required to be named exactly the same as your bookID, for example, Book001 and Book001.JPG.
Wants files - A HomeBase, spreadsheet or database file containing the detailed information about the books you are looking to purchase.
AbeBooks prefers two methods of file transfer:
Members Menu - booksellers can upload their files to AbeBooks via a link on the Members menu. This is the preferred method of receiving a smaller file from you.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol is the preferred method of receiving a large file from you. HomeBase has a built in FTP functionality making it very easy and efficient to upload. FTP is the only method of sending large files, 50 MB or larger, to AbeBooks. (ftp.AbeBooks.com is the address used to send files to.)
AbeBooks recommends the use of HomeBase 2.3 as your book management software. HomeBase is proprietary software created by AbeBooks with functionality integrated with the AbeBooks Web site. When you upload your book data file to AbeBooks with HomeBase no custom conversion is required. This decreases the time it takes to list your books on the Web site.
If you use a different book management software program, or a spreadsheet or a database for your inventory, it is necessary to create a custom conversion to put the book data in a format that can be used by AbeBooks.