Set default values for Shopify product imports

Defaults fill in Shopify fields that your file doesn't include. For example, if your file has no "Status" column, the default status (Draft, Active, or Archived) is applied to every product.

The Settings > Defaults tab showing product defaults, variant defaults, and a sample row preview

Where do I set import defaults?

You can set defaults in two places:

Settings > Defaults — global defaults that pre-fill on every new import
The Import defaults card on the mapping screen — click Customize for this import to override them just for the current upload

Per-import settings override global defaults. If your file includes a column that's mapped to the same field, the file value takes priority over both.

The expanded Import defaults card on the mapping screen, with the product preview below it

Which product defaults can I set?

Field	Options	Notes
Status	Draft, Active, Archived	Draft is recommended so you can review products before publishing
Vendor	Any text	The brand or manufacturer name shown in Shopify
Product type	Any text	Used for organizing products and creating collections
Tags	Comma-separated	Applied to every product in the import
Tags mode	Append to row tags, Replace row tags	Controls whether file tags are combined with default tags or replaced by them

Which variant defaults can I set?

Field	Options	Notes
Inventory tracking	Don't track, Shopify tracks inventory	Controls whether Shopify maintains a stock count
Inventory policy	Deny when out of stock, Continue selling	Whether customers can buy when inventory reaches zero
Requires shipping	Yes, No	Enables Shopify's shipping rate calculation
Taxable	Yes, No	Whether tax is charged on this product
Weight unit	g, kg, lb, oz	Unit for the weight field

Do defaults override values in my file?

If your file has a mapped column for a field, the file value wins — the default is ignored for that row.
If a row's cell is empty for a mapped column, the default fills in the blank.
If no column is mapped and no default is set, Shopify's own default applies (typically Draft status, no vendor, etc.).

How do I save defaults for every import?

Go to Settings > Defaults.
Set the values you want.
Click Save defaults.

A confirmation banner appears: "Defaults saved. They'll be pre-filled on every new import." You can still override them per-import from the mapping screen.