Download
Essential

Import & Export Products

15 min read

ProductManager's import/export system lets you work with your catalog in spreadsheets, migrate from other platforms, and bulk update products using familiar tools like Excel.

What You'll Learn

  • Supported file formats (CSV, Excel, XML)
  • Exporting products for external editing
  • Importing with column mapping
  • Handling validation errors
  • Migrating from Etsy

Supported Formats

Format Import Export Best For
CSV Yes Yes Simple data, Shopify format
Excel (XLSX) Yes Yes Complex editing, formulas
XML Yes No System integrations
Etsy CSV Yes No Platform migration

Exporting Products

  1. Select products to export (or select none to export all)
  2. Go to File → Export Products
  3. Choose your format (CSV or Excel)
  4. Select which columns to include
  5. Choose variant handling (one row per product or per variant)
  6. Click Export
Tip: Export to Excel if you want formatted headers and easier editing. Use CSV for maximum compatibility.

Importing Products

The import wizard guides you through four steps:

Step 1: Select File

  • Click File → Import Products
  • Select your CSV or Excel file
  • ProductManager auto-detects delimiters and encoding

Step 2: Column Mapping

  • Map your file columns to Shopify fields
  • ProductManager auto-maps common column names
  • Manually adjust any incorrect mappings
  • Save mappings as a profile for future imports

Step 3: Preview & Validate

  • Review what will be created or updated
  • See validation errors highlighted in red
  • Fix issues in your file or adjust mappings

Step 4: Apply

  • Click Import to apply changes
  • Watch progress as products are created/updated
  • Review the results summary

Import Modes

Choose how to handle existing products:

  • Create Only: Skip products that already exist
  • Update Only: Only update existing products, don't create new
  • Create or Update: Create new products and update existing ones

Matching Products

When updating, ProductManager matches products by:

  • Handle: The URL-friendly name (recommended)
  • SKU: Stock keeping unit of the first variant
  • Title: Exact product title match

Handling Variants

For products with variants, your file can be structured two ways:

  • One row per product: Variants in comma-separated columns
  • One row per variant: Each variant on its own row (Shopify format)

Common Validation Errors

Error Solution
Missing required field Add Title column - it's required for new products
Invalid price format Use numbers only, no currency symbols
Duplicate handle Each product needs a unique handle
Invalid inventory quantity Use whole numbers for inventory

Migrating from Etsy

  1. Export your listings from Etsy (CSV format)
  2. Import into ProductManager using the Etsy mapping profile
  3. Review and adjust the mapped data
  4. Import to create products in Shopify

Best Practices

  • Always preview before importing
  • Start with a small test batch
  • Back up your store before large imports
  • Use handles for reliable product matching
  • Save column mappings as reusable profiles

Next Steps