Understanding Shopify's CSV Format

Shopify uses a specific CSV format for product imports. Understanding this format is crucial for successful bulk operations. The CSV includes over 25 columns covering all product attributes.

Essential CSV Columns

Handle: URL-friendly product identifier
Title: Product name
Body (HTML): Product description
Vendor: Product manufacturer/supplier
Type: Product category
Tags: Comma-separated tags

Variant Price: Product price
Variant SKU: Stock keeping unit
Variant Inventory Qty: Stock level
Image Src: Product image URL
Option1 Name/Value: Variant options
Published: true/false visibility

Export Optimization

1. Export Only What You Need

Large exports slow down processing and increase error risk. Filter products before exporting to include only relevant items.

2. Choose the Right Columns

When using third-party tools like ShopifyMate, select only the columns you need. This reduces file size and simplifies editing.

3. Handle Image URLs Carefully

Image URLs must be publicly accessible. For scraped products, ensure images are either:

Hosted on a CDN with public access
Downloaded and re-uploaded to your own storage
Using Shopify's original CDN URLs (if importing from another Shopify store)

Import Best Practices

Before Import

Validate CSV format
Check for unique handles
Verify image URL accessibility
Test with small batch first

Import Settings

Overwrite existing products when updating
Skip new products when only updating
Use handles for product matching
Set default values for missing fields

Common CSV Errors and Solutions

Handle Conflicts

Error: "Product with handle already exists"

Solution: Either update the existing product by using the same handle, or create a unique handle for the new product.

Invalid HTML in Body

Error: "Invalid HTML content"

Solution: Ensure description HTML is properly escaped. Avoid unclosed tags and special characters that break CSV parsing.

Image Import Failures

Error: "Could not process image"

Solution: Check that image URLs are publicly accessible and use HTTPS. Verify file formats are supported (JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP).

Pro Tips for Large Imports

• Split large files into batches of 1,000 products
• Import during off-peak hours to avoid timeout issues
• Keep a log of imported files for tracking
• Use UTF-8 encoding for special characters
• Test variant imports separately from simple products

Optimizing Workflow with ShopifyMate

ShopifyMate streamlines the CSV workflow with purpose-built features:

Shopify-Ready Format: Exports match Shopify's expected format exactly
Column Selection: Choose only needed columns to reduce file complexity
Filtered Exports: Export only filtered products for targeted updates
Handle Generation: Automatic unique handle creation for new products
Bulk Editing: Edit products in table view before export

Shopify CSV Export & Import Optimization Guide