Header map
Which product CSV headers are required?
Separate create and update requirements, recognise current and legacy headers, and identify dynamic market or metafield columns.
Shopify product CSV library · reviewed 2 August 2026
Prepare a Shopify product CSV without guessing.
Start with the task you need to complete. These independent guides translate Shopify's product CSV documentation into checks, worked examples, and staged workflows. They explain what can be verified from a file and what still requires Shopify's import preview or knowledge of the store.
Structure and required fields
File structure
How should the CSV be encoded and quoted?
Preserve UTF-8 text, commas, line breaks, and row widths when moving between Shopify, spreadsheets, and text editors.
Identifiers
What do duplicate handles, SKUs, and barcodes mean?
Distinguish intentional repeated product handles from duplicate identifiers that need human review.
Changes that can overwrite data
Updates
How do I update products without blanking fields?
Build a narrow update file, keep matching handles and titles, and understand the difference between an omitted column and a blank included cell.
Variants
Why do variant fields need Option1?
Protect variant structure and understand why changing option values can replace variant identifiers.
Images
How do product and variant images work?
Use public image URLs, attach additional images to the right handle, and avoid confusing product images with variant images.
Troubleshooting and safe workflow
Troubleshooting
Why does a product CSV import fail?
Trace header, encoding, row-width, price, image, and reference errors from the exact affected row.
Checklist
What should I check before importing?
Back up, preflight, stage a representative subset, review Shopify's preview, and verify downstream systems.
Rule boundary
What can CatalogVigil verify?
See the distinction between documented blockers, conservative advisories, safe normalisations, and store-dependent facts.
CatalogVigil is an independent utility and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Shopify Inc. Shopify's current Help Center documentation controls when it differs from these summaries.