Asterisk (*) at the end of the product name - why does it appear and how to remove duplicates

The * symbol at the end of a product name appears automatically when the system creates a second product card with the exact same name but could not determine that it is the same product.

When an asterisk appears in the product name

Most often — during product import or manual product receipt, when:

• a new product card is created with a different product barcode, but with a name that already exists in the database;

• the rule for product name generation in the system parameters is configured incorrectly;

• the product search parameters are configured in such a way that the program does not identify the product as an existing one.

How to understand that duplicate products have appeared in the database

• Among the list of product names, there are products that have the * symbol at the end of the name.

• The system contains two separate cards of the same product with different barcodes.

Why the system creates a product with an asterisk

1. Incorrect search parameters during import
   For example, the search is performed only by name, while the file contains several products with the same name but different SKUs or barcodes.

2. Incorrectly configured rule for product name generation
   The rule for product name generation in the system parameters is configured in such a way that the product name does not include a unique product attribute, the inclusion of which in the name would allow a unique product name to be generated. For example, each size is created as a separate product with the same name because the "Size" field is not included in the product name generation rule.

Solution

Method A. Merge products (if the product is already in use)

Use this if the product already has stock balances or movements, and if you are sure that the product without an asterisk and the product with an asterisk are the same product item, just entered into Torgsoft twice by mistake under the same name but with different barcodes.

1. Open Inventory → Inventory Status or Merchandise Management → Error Diagnostics.

2. Select the main product (without an asterisk) → Select product for merging.

3. Select the duplicate product (with *) → Merge with selected product.

4. Confirm the action.

Result:

• stock balances and movement history are transferred to the remaining card;

• the product with the asterisk is deleted;

• its barcode is added as an additional barcode to the main product.