How to Import Products to Shopify Using CSV

Importing products to Shopify using a CSV file means putting your product details (like title, price, and images) into a spreadsheet, saving it as a CSV file and uploading it in your Shopify admin.

This guide shows you how to do this step by step.

Step 1 - Prepare your CSV file

Your CSV file contains all your product information.

Each row is one product or one product variant.

Each column is one type of information, such as Title or Price.

Common columns include:

• Handle (a unique name for your product, used in the product URL)
• Title
• Price
• Variant options (like size or color)
• Image URLs (links to your product images)

You can create your CSV using Excel, Google Sheets or similar tools.

Save your file as a CSV (UTF-8) file to avoid issues.

Step 2 - Use the Shopify CSV format

Shopify expects your CSV file to follow a specific format.

This means the column names and structure must match what Shopify uses.

The easiest way to get this right is to export your existing products from Shopify and use that file as a template.

This helps you:

• Use the correct column names
• Include all required fields
• Avoid import errors

If you want to understand the format in more detail, see:
→ Shopify CSV format explained

Step 3 - Import your CSV in Shopify

Once your CSV file is ready:

• Go to Products in your Shopify admin
• Click Import
• Upload your CSV file
• Start the import

Shopify will process your file and create or update your products.

Step 4 - Review your imported products

After the import finishes, check your products:

• Are titles and descriptions correct?
• Are prices correct?
• Do variants look right?
• Are images showing?

If something is wrong, it is usually caused by a small mistake in the CSV file.

Common issues with Shopify CSV imports

CSV imports are powerful, but small mistakes can cause problems.

Common issues include:

• Missing columns
• Wrong column names
• Incorrect variant setup
• Image links not working

If your import fails, check your CSV file first.

One common issue is with barcodes (EAN or ISBN).

Spreadsheet tools like Excel or Google Sheets may change long numbers into scientific notation.

For example:

• 8712345678901 → 8.71235E+12

If this happens, the barcode becomes incorrect and may not import properly.

To avoid this:

• Format the column as Text before pasting values
• Or add an apostrophe before the number (for example: '8712345678901)

For a full list of problems and fixes, see:
→ Fix Shopify CSV import errors

When Shopify's built-in import is enough

Shopify's built-in CSV import works well if:

• You have a small number of products
• Your CSV already matches Shopify's format
• You only need to import once

In these cases, you may not need an app.

When to use a CSV import app

If you work with larger product lists or update products often, a CSV import app can save time.

The Simple CSV Shopify app is built for product imports and updates.

It can help you:

• Import products, variants, and images
• Update existing products and inventory
• Use ready-made CSV templates (empty or based on your store)
• Automatically import from a CSV file on a URL

This makes the process easier and reduces mistakes.

Common questions

Do I need a CSV template?
No, but it helps a lot. A template makes sure your file is correct.

Can I update existing products?
Yes. If the handle is the same, Shopify will update the product instead of creating a new one.

Why did my import fail?
Most of the time, this is caused a small mistake in the CSV file.

Can I import images?
Yes. You can add image links (URLs) in your CSV file.

Next steps

Start with a small CSV file and test your import.

If you want a simpler and more reliable way to work with CSV files, you can use the Simple CSV Shopify app.