Import the comma delimited file Accessories CSV
This page was printed on Dec 11, 2022. For the current version, visit https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/import-export/using-csv. Show
You can use a CSV (comma-separated values) file to import products into your Shopify store, and to export products from your store. When you use a CSV file, you can import or export a large number of products and their details at same time. This can be helpful if you want to exchange product information between Shopify and other platforms. To learn more about how to use CSV files, refer to Open and edit a CSV file. Download a sample CSV fileYou can download and view a sample product CSV file to use as a template.
Considerations for the product CSV fileBefore you use a product CSV file, review the following considerations. Formatting the product CSV fileFor your product CSV file to function correctly, verify the that it meets the following criteria:
NoteIf you use Excel to edit your CSV, then check Excel's export settings when you export the CSV to ensure that your file uses commas between values. Required columns in the product CSV fileThese columns must be present under the following conditions:
Data dependenciesEven though the Title and Handle columns are the only required columns when you update products using a CSV file, the data in some columns depends on the data in other columns. For example, if you update a column that is related to variants, such as Variant SKU or Variant Grams, then the data in those columns depends on the data about the corresponding variants. In this case, you must also include the Option1 Name and Option1 Value columns. Before you remove or exclude columns from your CSV file, verify whether the data in any other columns depends on the data in the columns that you want to remove or exclude. If your data depends on a column that is missing, then you receive an error when you try to import your product CSV file. Shopify Markets CSV columnsIf you have Shopify Markets set up on your store, then your CSV export reflects the unique markets that you created. By default your CSV has the For example, if you create a market for each individual continent, and one of your market names is Columns in the product CSV file that must contain valuesIn addition to the Title column, some other columns must have a value. When a column requires a value, but is blank, then a default value is created automatically in the following cases:
The following table describes which columns must have a value, and the default value that is created automatically if the column is blank. Columns in the product CSV file that must have a value and the default values that are created automatically if no value is present.ColumnDefault value created when the column is blankHandleThis value is created based on the value in the Title column. For example, if the value in the Title column isBlack Sun Glasses , then the value in this column is black-sun-glasses .VendorThe name of the store as you entered it when you created your Shopify account. For example, Compare At Price / International 0 or Compare At Price / International 1. This is the same store name that you use when you log in to Shopify.PublishedCompare At Price / International 2, which means that this product will be published and available in the online store sales channel.Option1Compare At Price / International 3Option1 ValueCompare At Price / International 4Variant Inventory QuantityCompare At Price / International 5Variant Inventory Policy
When the value is Compare At Price / International 8Variant PriceCompare At Price / International 9Variant Requires Shipping
When the value is Compare At Price / International 2Variant GramsCompare At Price / International 9Variant Weight UnitInternational 4Price / InternationalIf you sell internationally, then this is the price of the product or variant. Only include the price. Don't include any currency symbols. For example, This column heading name varies depending on the Shopify Markets that you have set up on your store. The default market is Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Compare At Price / InternationalIf you sell internationally, then this is the "Compare at Price" of the product or variant. Only include the price. Don't include any currency symbols. For example, This column heading name varies depending on the Shopify Markets that you have set up on your store. The default market is Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. StatusIf this column is present, then it needs to have a value. If the column isn't present, then the product status is automatically uploaded asInternational 9.For more information about these and other columns, refer to the product CSV description table. Overwriting product details using an import CSV fileWhen you import a CSV file, you can select the option Overwrite any current products that have the same handle. Existing values will be used for any missing columns. If you select this option, then when the handle in the import CSV file matches an existing handle in your products list, the values in CSV file overwrite the values in the matching columns in the existing product list. If the overwrite option isn't selected, then the products that match an existing handle will be ignored during CSV import.
CautionChanging data in the Option1 Value, Option2 Value, or Option3 Value columns of the product CSV file deletes existing variant IDs, and creates new variant IDs. Any change to variant IDs values can break third-party dependencies on variant IDs. Description of the product CSV fileFor information about which columns are required, and which columns require that values are entered, refer to the considerations for product CSV files. Description of the columns in the product CSV file.ColumnDescriptionHandleHandles are unique names for each product. They can contain letters, dashes, and numbers, but no spaces, accents, or other characters, including periods. Handles are used in the URL for each product. For example, the handle for a "Women's Snowboard" should be Every line in the CSV file that starts with a different handle is treated as a new product. To add multiple images to a product, you must add multiple lines with the same handle. TitleThe title of your product. For example, The description of the product in HTML format. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. VendorThe name of the vendor for your product. For example, Values must be at least two characters long. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Product categoryA label that describes the type of product and is used to calculate a product's tax rate in the United States. This label must be taken from the predefined standardized list of product categories. You can input the standardized product category in either of the following ways:
Learn more about adding a product category Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Custom product typeA custom label that describes the category of a product. This label doesn't need to conform to any predefined format. Learn more about adding a custom product type Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. TagsA comma-separated list of tags used to tag the product. Most spreadsheet applications automatically add quotes around the tags for you. If you use a plain text editor, then you need to manually add the quotes. For example, Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. PublishedIndicates whether a product is published on your online store. Valid values are If a product has an option, then enter its name. For example, If a product has only one option, then this value should be Caution: Changing data in this column deletes existing variant IDs values, and creates new variant IDs. Any change to variant ID values can break third-party dependencies on variant IDs. If a product has an option, then enter its value. For example, If a product has only one option, then this value should be If a product has a second option, then enter its name. For example, Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Option2 ValueCaution: Changing data in this column deletes existing variant IDs values, and creates new variant IDs. Any change to variant ID values can break third-party dependencies on variant IDs. If a product has a second option, then enter its value. For example, Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Option3 NameIf a product has a third option, then enter its name. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Option3 ValueCaution: Changing data in this column deletes existing variant IDs values, and creates new variant IDs. Any change to variant ID values can break third-party dependencies on variant IDs. If a product has a third option, then enter its value. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Variant SKUThe SKU of the product or variant. This is used to track inventory with inventory tracking services. This field can't be left blank if you're using a custom fulfillment service . Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Variant GramsThe weight of the product or variant in grams. Don't specify a unit of measurement or use decimals. For example, for a weight of 5.125 kg, enter Shopify always imports and exports the weight in grams, even if you specify a different unit. You must use accurate weights if you intend to offer carrier-calculated shipping or use a third-party fulfillment service. Variant Inventory TrackerInclude your inventory tracking for this variant or product. Valid values include If the existing inventory tracking options are removed, then inventory is no longer tracked. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Variant Inventory QtyThe number of items you have in stock of this product or variant. This column is only used for Shopify stores that have a single location. Note: This column is only available for stores that have only one location. If your store manages inventory at multiple locations, then this column isn't included. If you want to import or export inventory quantities, then use the inventory CSV file. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Variant Inventory PolicyHow to handle orders when the inventory level for this product or variant has reached zero. Variants with a The product or variant fulfillment service used. The following are the valid values for this column:
If you use a custom fulfillment service, then you can add the name of the service in this column. For the custom name, use only lowercase letters. Spaces aren't allowed and you must replace them with a dash (-). Periods and other special characters are removed. For example, if "Joan's Fulfillment" is your fulfillment service's name, enter You must have a custom fulfillment service set up in your Shopify admin before you can add the name of the service in this column. Variant PriceThe price of the product or variant. Only include the price and don't include any currency symbols. For example, The "Compare at Price" of the product or variant. Only include the price and don't include any currency symbols. For example, Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Variant Requires ShippingThe option to require shipping. Valid values are Apply taxes to this variant. Valid values are The barcode, ISBN, or UPC of the product. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Image SrcEnter the URL for the product image. Shopify downloads the images during the import and re-uploads them into your store. These images aren't variant-specific. The variant image column is where you specify variant images. You can't change the image file name after that image has been uploaded to your store. Don't upload images that have Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Image PositionEnter the number that represents the order in which you want the image to appear on the product's page. The images appears in order from smallest to largest starting from an image position value of Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Image Alt TextAlt (alternate) text describes an image and is an important part of a product description. If an image can't load for any reason, then alt text is shown instead. It's also used by assistive technology to describe an image to a customer who's visually impaired. Including alt text will boost your website's SEO. Keep your alt text brief and descriptive. The maximum length is 512 characters, but the optimal length is 125 characters or fewer. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Gift CardIndicates whether the product is a gift card. Valid values are Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. SEO TitleThe SEO Title is found on a product's details page under the Search engine listing preview header in the Page title field. The SEO Title is alphanumeric and can include up to 70 characters. If you leave this column blank when you import a product, then the value in the Title column is entered into the Page title field on the product's details page. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. SEO DescriptionThe SEO description is also found on a product's details page under the Search engine listing preview header in the Description. The SEO description is alphanumeric and can include up to 320 characters. If you leave this column blank when you import a product, then the value in the Body (HTML) column is entered into the Description field on the product's details page. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Google Product CategoryIf you currently use a Google product category, you can use it as your Shopify product category. You can use the product category, the Google Product Category, or both. Provide the most specific category possible for each item. The Google Product Category (GPC) (google_product_category) uses Google's product taxonomy. You can input the Google product category in either of the following ways:
Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Google Shopping MetafieldsThe Google Shopping columns might be used by an app to synchronize products to the Google Merchant Center. However, Shopify's Google channel doesn't use these Metafields. You can ignore values in the columns that include Google Shopping in their names unless an app tells you to use them. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Variant ImageThe URL for images of variants. If you add an URL, then it must be a functioning image URL. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Valid values are Available to: Shopify Plus plan The Avalara code to apply taxes to this product. This field only applies when you import to or export from a store that uses the Shopify Plus plan's integration with Avalara AvaTax. When you create a CSV file by exporting products from a store that uses Avalara, the Variant Tax Code column is filled. If you import this CSV file into a store that doesn't have Avalara set up, then your import fails. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Cost per itemHow much it costs you for the product or variant. Only include the cost. Don't include any currency symbols. For example, Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. StatusIndicates whether a product is available to your customers. Valid values are:
Collection column exceptionCautionThe Collection column is the only column that you can add to the CSV file that doesn't break the format. You can't add any other columns to your CSV file. To organize your products into collections during the CSV file upload, you can add a new column anywhere in your CSV file with the header name Collection. When you export a CSV file, the Collection column is not included. Description of the Collection column in the product CSV import file.ColumnDescriptionCollectionEnter the name of the collection that you want to add this product to.
You can add a product to only one collection. This value can be blank. Learn more about how overwriting existing products affects the data in this column. Create your product CSV fileFor each product, you need to decide if it's a simple product or one with variants.
After you've added all your products and images, save your CSV file in UTF-8 format using LF-style linefeeds. If you're not familiar with encodings, then see your spreadsheet or text editor program's documentation. To view an example CSV file, download this sample product CSV file, and then open it in Google Sheets or another spreadsheet program. Prepare your imagesA CSV file can only contain text, therefore, you need to make sure that all product images are on an existing website. Those image URLs are only used during the CSV file importing process. You can delete the URLs after your import is complete.
CautionIf you remove products or product images from your Shopify store after exporting, and then try to import those products without updating their image URLs, your import fails. When you have URLs for each product image, you can start building your CSV file. Adding multiple product images in a CSV fileYou can add more product images to your CSV file by uploading more images to your Shopify admin. If you're building your Shopify store with a CSV file, then the process is a little different. Review the following considerations:
Add multiple product images to your CSV file
Insert a new row
Copy and Paste the Handle value
Copy and Paste the image URLs
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