Shopify Product Import: CSV File Format

Imagine you’ve just launched your Shopify store and need to upload dozens of products.

Doing this manually is a nightmare. Thankfully, Shopify allows you to import products using a CSV file.

A CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file is like a digital spreadsheet where each line represents a product, and each column contains details like title, description, price, and inventory.

This method saves time and ensures accuracy.

In this guide, we'll explain Shopify's CSV file format for product import, helping you streamline your product management and get your store up and running quickly.

1. Handle

In this field, you need to specify unique product names using letters, dashes, and numbers.

Also note that spaces, accents, periods, and other characters are not allowed. It is also worth mentioning that Shopify uses handles in product URLs.

Besides, Shopify treats every line in the CSV file that starts with a different handle as a new product.

However, you can use multiple lines with the same handle to add multiple images to a single product. Since this field is required, it cannot be blank or missing.

2. Title

This column contains the title of your product — for instance, Women’s Black Stiletto Heels. Since this field is required, you cannot leave it blank.

3. Body (HTML)

Here, you can provide your product description in HTML format or as plain text. It’s not required so can be left blank.

4. Vendor

In this field, you need to enter the vendor name of the product which should have more than two characters.

5. Type

This field shows the product type, such as “Dresses” or “Heels”. You can leave it blank.

6. Tags

Here, you can place a comma-separated list of tags associated with the product. Add quotes around the tags if they are absent: “tag1, tag2, tag3”. This one can be blank.

7. Published

This shows the status of the product on your store: whether it is published or not.

TRUE – the product is published.

FALSE – the product is hidden.

The field is required. If you leave it blank, the product will automatically be published.

8. Option1 Name

If an item contains options, specify its name (e.g. Color). Set it to “Title” for products with one option only. This is a required field and can’t be left blank.

9. Option1 Value

If a product is associated with an option, you should enter its value here (White).

For products with only one option, set it to Default Title. Also, note that changing data in this column replaces the existing variant IDs.

This process usually breaks third-party dependencies on variant IDs. This is a required field and can’t be left blank.

10. Option2 Name

If a product has the second option, specify it here but this column can be left blank.

11. Option2 Value

Enter the value of the second option here. This field can also be left blank.

12. Option3 Name

If a product has the third option, specify it here. You can leave this column blank.

13. Option3 Value

Enter the value of the third option here or leave it empty.

14. Variant SKU

In this column, you need to enter the SKU of a product or variant used to track inventory. Unless you use custom fulfillment services, this field can be left blank.

15. Variant Grams

You need to enter the product or variant weight in grams under this section. You can’t use any letters or special characters here, so if your product weight is 1.789 kg, you should specify it as 1789.

Also, despite setting a different unit on your website, Shopify always imports and exports the product weight in grams.

It usually happens even if you set a different unit on your website.

Therefore, use only accurate weights so that you can give customers accurate carrier charges based on weight.

Since this field is required, you cannot leave it blank even if the value is 0.

16. Variant Inventory Tracker

This section contains the inventory tracking details for a variant or product. If your inventory isn’t tracked you can leave this column blank.

17. Variant Inventory Qty

This column displays the number of items available in stock but is only related to Shopify stores with a single location. If you have inventory at various locations, Shopify will not include this column for you.

18. Variant Inventory Policy

This column lets you specify the action taken toward customers when they order a product or variant that has reached 0 inventory.

deny – a product cannot be purchased after its inventory level reaches zero;

continue – a product can be purchased after its inventory level reaches zero: negative inventory levels are enabled.

You can’t leave this field blank.

19. Variant Fulfilment Service

Here, the system displays a fulfillment service responsible for the product or variant fulfillment. Possible values are:

manual;

webgistix;

shipwire;

amazon_marketplace_web.

It is also possible to specify the name of your custom fulfillment service here. Note that it is necessary to use lowercase letters and replace spaces with a dash (-).

Also, remove periods and other special characters. And don’t forget to set up a custom fulfillment service in your Shopify admin before adding its name in this column.

Since this field is required, it cannot be blank or missing.

20. Variant Price

Here, Shopify lets you set the price of the product or its variant. You can’t include currency symbols in this field.

21. Variant Compare at Price

The “Compare at Price” feature of the product or variant is related to this column. The requirements are the same: you shouldn’t use currency symbols. The field can be blank.

22. Variant Requires Shipping

Here, Shopify contains options that show whether shipping is required or not. TRUE and FALSE are two possible values.

If you leave the column blank, the system understands it as FALSE.

23. Variant Taxable

Here, you need to specify whether taxes apply to your variant or not. You can enter True or False. If you leave the field blank, the system will assume it to be false.

24. Variant Barcode

In this column, you can add a product barcode, ISBN, or UPC. It can be left blank.

25. Image Src

This column allows you to specify the URL of a product image. The system downloads images during the import and uploads them back.

However, they are not variant-specific. You should specify variant images in the variant image column.

You can leave this field blank.

27. Image Position

In this column, you can specify the order of the images to appear on your product page. the sort order for images that appear on a product page. It is shown from smallest to largest, so the image set as 1 will appear first. The field can be left blank.

26. Image Alt Text

Here, you need to enter the Alt text for an image that is displayed when the image can’t load.

You can enter up to 512 characters, but the optimal recommended length is 125 characters. You can leave this field blank.

27. Gift Card

Here, the system places the data necessary to determine whether the product is a gift card or not. As you might have already guessed, valid values are TRUE or FALSE.

You need to create gift cards in admin prior to changing the corresponding fields in a CSV file. The area can be blank.

28. SEO Title

You can find the SEO Title under the Search engine listing preview header in the Page title field on the product details page.

The SEO Title consists of letters and numbers. The character limit is 70.

This field is optional, so if you leave it blank, it will automatically be populated with the product title on import. Note that it is optional.

29. SEO Description

The SEO Description shows in the Meta description field on the product details page and has a 320 letters/numbers limit.

You can leave this field blank, and in that case, it will automatically be populated with the product description you have provided on importing.

30. Google Shopping Metafields

It is possible to ignore fields in the columns that include Google Shopping in their names. However, some situations may require using them. Therefore, this field is optional.

31. Variant Image

In this column, you can specify the functioning image URLs of the variant, but it is optional.

32. Variant Weight Unit

Shopify uses only the following values:

g

kg

lb

oz

The field is optional and if left blank, the default unit is “kg”.

33. Variant Tax Code

This column is available in Shopify Plus only if it is integrated with Avalara AvaTax. Don’t import a CSV file with this column filled in with data into a store that isn’t connected to Avalara.

34. Cost per Item

In this column, Shopify specifies the product or variant cost for you. Currency symbols are still not allowed and the field is optional.

35. Status

This shows the status of the products in your store.

active – the product is available on your storefront;

draft – the product is not active with a draft that needs to be completed;

archived – it is an archived item that is no longer available on the storefront.

This field is required and if you don’t add the column to your CSV file, all products are uploaded as active.

Conclusion

Importing products into Shopify using a CSV file format can be a detailed and complex process. Ensuring that each field is accurately filled out is crucial for a smooth import.

Understanding the specific requirements for each column, from product handles to variant details, is essential to avoid errors.

By following the guidelines provided, you can effectively manage your product data, streamline your operations, and maintain consistency across your Shopify store.

For those looking to simplify this process, considering a solution like Apimio PIM can offer automation and improved accuracy, enhancing overall efficiency.

What to do Next?

• Learn more about Apimio’s Shopify PIM integration.
• Schedule a personalized demo to see how Apimio PIM can transform your product data management.
• Explore our blogs for more tips and insights on optimizing your e-commerce operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a CSV file, and why is it used for Shopify product import?

A CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file is a simple text format for representing tabular data. It is used for Shopify product import because it allows you to efficiently organize and upload large quantities of product information at once, saving time and ensuring consistency.

2. Can I update existing products using a CSV file?

Yes, you can update existing products by ensuring the Handle column matches the products you want to update. Shopify will overwrite the existing product details with the information from your CSV file.

3. Can I include SEO metadata in my CSV file?

Yes, you can include SEO metadata by adding columns for "SEO Title" and "SEO Description". These fields will be used to populate the product's SEO settings in Shopify.