How to Map CSV Columns to Shopify Categories, Variants and Metafields

To map a supplier CSV to Shopify categories, collections, variants and metafields, upload it to Csvio and review the mapping screen. Categories are matched to Shopify's own, packed colours and sizes are split into variants, and extra columns go to custom fields.

Try Csvio free on your own file

Chapters

1. 0:00A supplier file with packed variant cells
2. 0:21Upload the file and choose Create
3. 0:45Match Shopify product categories and collections
4. 1:19Split packed colours and sizes into variants
5. 1:31Map extra columns to metafields
6. 1:46Variant options in the preview
7. 2:01Import, report and the product in Shopify

Transcript

A supplier file with packed variant cells

In this video, we check how a supplier's file was mapped: its categories, collections, variant options and custom fields. Here's the supplier's file. Each product is one row, with all its colours and sizes packed into one cell, and two collections in one.

Upload the file and choose Create

Drop it in, and pick Create, because these products are new. On the mapping screen, item code becomes the SKU, and product the title.

Match Shopify product categories and collections

The category column is checked against Shopify's own categories. Three matched, but coffee mugs had no clear match. So search Shopify's categories here, and pick mugs. The other three matched Shopify's own wording. Open them to check, or change any of them. Collections puts each product into collections already in your store, matched by name.

Split packed colours and sizes into variants

Colours and sizes become the variant options. Split into variants is ticked, so each value between the slashes becomes its own variant.

Map extra columns to metafields

Material and care have no Shopify field, so they go to custom fields, your store's metafields.

Variant options in the preview

In the preview, the mug has two options, named after the columns: colours and sizes. Three colours and two sizes make six variants, each with its own SKU.

Import, report and the product in Shopify

Nothing reaches your store until you confirm. The report shows four products, saved as drafts. In Shopify, the mug has its category, mugs, and both collections. Further down are its variants, and its material and care, in the product's metafields. Try Csvio free, on your own supplier's file. The link's in the description.

Step-by-step guides

• Confirm Shopify product categories during import
• Assign products to Shopify collections during import
• Import products with variants into Shopify
• Import spreadsheet columns into Shopify metafields

More Csvio tutorials

3:36

How to Set Default Status, Vendor and Tags for Shopify CSV Imports

2:16

How to Bulk Upload Product Photos to Shopify from a Zip and CSV

2:33

How to Bulk Update Shopify Prices and Stock from a Supplier CSV

See all tutorials