Where do I get a CSV template?

Download product and customer CSV templates from Shopify's help docs or the import page.

Can I edit a Shopify CSV in Excel?

Yes — open it in Excel, Google Sheets, or Numbers; save as CSV (UTF-8) when done.

Why did my CSV import create broken variants?

Usually a formatting issue — check headers, quote fields with commas, and match the template exactly.

Is CSV or the API better for large imports?

CSV is fine for one-off bulk updates; the Admin API is more reliable for recurring or very large syncs.

Glossary Term

C

CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

A plain-text spreadsheet format Shopify uses to import and export products, customers, and inventory.

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Key Takeaways
CSV is a plain-text tabular format Shopify uses to import and export products, customers, and inventory.
Download templates from Shopify, fill them in a spreadsheet, and upload to bulk-create or update.
It's the export format for reports and the bridge to ERPs, POS, and other platforms.
Clean headers and columns are critical — messy CSVs break variants and imports.
For recurring or large transfers, the Admin API usually replaces CSV.

Overview

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain-text file format that stores tabular data — each row is a record, each field separated by a comma. Shopify uses CSV as the standard format for importing and exporting products, customers, and inventory.

You download CSV templates from Shopify, fill them in a spreadsheet app (Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers), and upload them to bulk-create or update records. CSV is also the export format for Shopify reports and the bridge for moving data between Shopify and ERPs, POS systems, and other platforms.

CSV is the workhorse of data import and migration. A clean CSV — correct headers, matched columns, no stray commas — is the difference between a smooth bulk update and a catalog full of broken variants. For recurring or large transfers, the Admin API usually replaces CSV.

1

Why CSV Matters for Shopify Merchants

1
Bulk Import and Export
Move hundreds or thousands of products and customers in and out of Shopify at once.
2
Platform Migration
CSV is the bridge for migrating catalogs from other platforms into Shopify.
3
Report Export
Export Shopify reports as CSV for analysis in Excel, Sheets, or BI tools.
4
ERP and POS Bridge
Exchange product, inventory, and order data with backend systems via CSV.
5
No-Code Updates
Update pricing and inventory in bulk without touching the API.

2

Working With CSV Without Breaking Your Catalog

1
Use Shopify's template
Download the official template and match column headers exactly before importing.
2
Watch stray commas
Wrap fields containing commas in quotes so they don't split into extra columns.
3
Test a small batch
Import 10–20 rows first, verify variants and images, then import the rest.
4
Handle images separately
Image URLs must be public; list multiple images in separate columns.
5
Move to the API at scale
For recurring syncs, the Admin API is more reliable than manual CSV uploads.