Conditional blocks.
Once the mandatory blocks are correctly filled in, you have the foundation. But it is with the conditional blocks that you bring real added value to your distributors. These blocks let you describe your offer more precisely, make product search easier, increase end customers’ average basket, and more.
📌 Overview of the conditional blocks
Six conditional blocks enrich the foundation of mandatory blocks. You don’t have to fill them all in: only activate those that make sense for your offer.
| Bloc | Block name |
|---|---|
| C01 | EXTENSION |
| C02 | CORRESPONDANCE |
| C03 | VARIANTE |
| C04 | ETIM |
| C05 | ARRET |
| C06 | SUBSTITUTION |
🧩 C01 — EXTENSION
Highlights the specifics of references. An extension of the COMMERCE and LOGISTICS blocks, it lets you share additional attributes useful to customers.
- 28 attributes available: product appearance, made in, recoding, etc.
Use the attributes file to find all the ETYP values usable in this block.
This block can be duplicated if you exceed one million rows. When duplicating, just add a suffix — for example C01_EXTENSION2.
🔄 C02 — CORRESPONDENCE
Connects one or more products to grow the average basket. Showcases offers on e-commerce sites: “You liked this, you might like that”, “frequently bought together”.
- Spare parts, consumables, warranties, etc.
Specify the link between references using the right attribute in CORTYP. If a reference cannot be bought without another, remember to indicate it in EXTENSION with the NONSEUL attribute.
This block can be duplicated if you exceed one million rows. Add a suffix — for example C02_CORRESPONDANCE2.
🎨 C03 — VARIANT
Makes product selection easier based on predefined variation criteria. Manages variations in colour, size, finish, etc.
🎨 Colours
Shades, finishes, tones — each variant linked to the parent product.
📏 Sizes
Workwear, gloves, PPE, product formats.
✨ Finishes
Brushed, polished, matte, satin, chrome.
⚙️ Versions
Capacities, power ratings, optional equipment.
Group your references that are variations of the same product under a single VCODE. This code links all the variants together.
This block can be duplicated if you exceed one million rows. Add a suffix — for example C03_VARIANTE2.
📐 C04 — ETIM
Shares technical characteristics in the ETIM standard. The ETIM classification is essential for distributors specialising in building and industry.
The ETIM versions supported by FAB-DIS are versions 7.0 to 10.0.
If needed, you can reach ETIM France at wolfgang.leichnig@etim-france.fr.
Check the consistency of class / attribute / value / version. An inconsistency here blocks the product’s integration at the distributor.
Utilisez https://prod.etim-international.com/Class to help you fill in the block. This block can also be duplicated (C04_ETIM2) if you exceed one million rows.
⛔ C05 — DISCONTINUATION
Compiles references withdrawn from sale for which information still needs to be transmitted.
- User manual, technical documentation, etc.
- Shows the availability of spare parts after the product’s end-of-sale date.
Plan a substitution where possible. A discontinued product with no identified successor causes stockouts for both the distributor and the end customer.
🔁 C06 — SUBSTITUTION
Identifies the most relevant current product or offer that replaces the old one in the case of a discontinued, soon-to-be-discontinued or under-maintenance product. Ensures offer continuity and eases the transition.
The substituted reference must appear in the ARRET block, and the substituting one in COMMERCE. Without this consistency, the transition cannot happen.
✅ Best practices
Four principles to make the most of the conditional blocks:
- Only use the blocks that make sense for your offer.
- Add these blocks gradually from a stable foundation.
- Check that all the brands in your catalogue are declared on your customer account, and that they are written the same way throughout the FAB-DIS file (uppercase, lowercase, spaces).
- Check regularly with Easy-Check to spot anomalies.
The conditional blocks are not an endurance test: choose those that genuinely add value for your distributors and roll them out progressively.
Remove spaces with the =TRIM() function, count characters with =LEN(), and replace occurrences with =SUBSTITUTE().
⚠️ Caution: don’t forget to remove the formulas after use (paste “values only”) before running the file through Easy-Check.
Need to go further?
The FAB-DIS KIT contains all the FAB-DIS documentation (template, manual, tables…) so you can get hands-on right away. It is also included in the FAB OFFER.