How to Import Inventory on Shopify
By Sam Nguyen
Inventory management can be a major headache for many e-commerce businesses, especially when you’re starting with a large catalog or migrating from another platform. But, Shopify has a solution for that! Importing your inventory using a CSV file can save you significant time and effort.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of importing inventory on Shopify, ensuring a smooth and error-free experience.
Before You Begin
Before diving into the import process, there are a few crucial steps to ensure everything runs smoothly:
1. Download the Shopify’s sample CSV template: It ensures that your information is formatted correctly and aligns with Shopify’s requirements, minimizing potential errors during the import process.
2. Understand the CSV File Structure: Take some time to familiarize yourself with the CSV file structure. Each column represents a specific product attribute (e.g., Title, Description, Price).
3. Fill in Your Product Information: Use the template as a guide and carefully input your product information. Ensure all required fields are filled and the information is accurate. Pay special attention to SKUs, prices, and inventory quantities, as these are critical for your store’s operation.
Remember, the quality of your import depends on the accuracy of your data. Preparing your CSV file correctly will save you from headaches down the line and ensure a successful inventory import. Remember to double-check for any errors before proceeding with the import.
Steps To Import Inventory Using A CSV File
To import your inventory into Shopify, follow these steps:
1. From your Shopify admin > Go to Products
2. Click Import
If you’re just starting out with Shopify and haven’t added any products yet, it will look like this.
3. Click Add file and select the CSV file you prepared on your device.
4. If you want to publish new products only to your online store instead of to all of your sales channels, then deselect Publish new products to all sales channels.
If you select Overwrite products with matching handles, any existing product information in your Shopify store that matches the handles in your CSV file will be replaced with the new data from your import. (If you don’t have any products on your store, this option will not be visible)
5. Click Upload and preview to see the details of your import and ensure accuracy.
6. Shopify will let you check the first product. If everything looks correct, click Import products. You will receive a confirmation email to the email address associated with your account once the import is complete.
7. After the import, review your products in Shopify to ensure all details, such as price, weight, and inventory, have been imported correctly and make adjustments if necessary.
Considerations For Overwriting Your Product Details Using An Import CSV File
Here are some crucial points to consider when you’re importing a CSV file and choosing to overwrite existing product details:
- Overwrite with Matching Handles: If you tick the “Overwrite products with matching handles” box, any values in your CSV file will replace the corresponding values for existing products with the same handle. If you leave it unchecked, products with matching handles in your CSV file will simply be skipped during the import.
- Blank Columns: Even if a column isn’t required, leaving it blank in your CSV file will overwrite any existing data in that column with a blank value. For instance, if you have a “Vendor” column in your existing product list filled with “John’s Apparel,” but you leave the “Vendor” column blank in your import CSV, that value will be erased.
- Missing Columns: If your CSV file doesn’t include a column that’s present in your existing product list, the existing data in that column will remain unchanged. So, if you have a “Variant Image” column in your product list, but it’s missing from your CSV, the images will stay the same.
- Dependent Data: Be careful when including columns that rely on data from other columns. If you include the “Variant SKU” column in your CSV, but not the “Option1 Value” and “Option1 Name” columns, the product variant option will be deleted. This is because the “Variant SKU” needs those other columns to function properly.
Remember, overwriting product details can have significant consequences, so it’s important to be mindful of these considerations and double-check your CSV file before importing.
Bottom Line
Importing inventory using a CSV file is a powerful way to efficiently manage your product data on Shopify. By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you can ensure a smooth and successful import process, saving you valuable time and effort.
