STORE DATA MANAGER · HELP CENTRE
File and field guide
Prepare recognisable files and understand the limits of an import.
Files and identifiers
- CSV: one data area. Use the app’s exported headings.
- Excel (.xlsx): one area per named worksheet. Keep the original sheet names.
- Identifiers: preserve the full Shopify IDs and any location, owner, locale or key columns needed to identify the value. Treat IDs as text in your spreadsheet editor.
- Optional fields: omit a column you do not want to update. Keep its original heading when you do include it.
- Empty cells: these are not a universal “ignore” instruction. They may clear a supported text value or trigger validation. Check the preview before confirming.
- Actions: use only actions supported by that area. Operations such as deleting, cancelling or fulfilling are different from editing a note or title and may be irreversible. Do not add action or confirmation fields unless you intend that operation.
An export is not a promise that every column can be written back. Keep reference-only values unchanged. Validation checks the proposed file; Shopify can still reject an update because of permissions, store features or changes made since the preview.
Supported data areas
The examples below describe selected editable values, not an exhaustive list of fields or operations. Use Choose fields in the app to see the available export columns.
| Data area | Examples and limits |
|---|---|
| Products and variants | Title, variant price and SKU. Preserve Product ID and Variant ID. |
| Metafields and media | Supported custom values and media alt text. Preserve owner identity and the field’s type; media and custom values have different requirements. |
| Collections | Description and supported collection fields. Image URL is reference-only; use Shopify to replace the image. Image alt text is editable. |
| Inventory by location | Available quantity. Preserve Inventory Item ID and Location ID. |
| Customers | Supported customer details, such as notes. Preserve Customer ID and any relevant address identity. |
| Metaobjects | Fields allowed by the object definition. Preserve object identity and field headings. |
| Orders | Placed orders, including supported notes and actions. Order status and totals are not ordinary editable spreadsheet values. |
| Draft orders | Draft-order data, including notes. Keep separate from placed orders. |
| Discounts | Supported discount fields, such as title. Preserve the discount identity and type. |
| Companies and B2B | Supported company data, such as notes. Shopify store features and access can affect availability. |
| Locations | Supported location details, such as name. Preserve Location ID. |
| Fulfilments and tracking | Supported tracking details. A tracking edit differs from creating a fulfilment; review notification and action fields carefully. |
| Markets and publications | Supported market details, such as name. Publication status is reference information; publishing is a separate operation. |
| Files | Alt text and filename. Source URL is reference-only; replace file contents in Shopify. |
| URL redirects | Supported redirect path and target fields. Preserve the existing redirect identity when updating. |
| Pages, blogs and articles | Supported content fields, such as title. Preserve Resource ID and Resource Type. |
| Metaobject definitions | Supported definition details, such as name. Changes to a definition can affect its objects. |
| Translations | Values for the identified resource, locale and key. Preserve the exported identity and digest fields; export again if the source content has changed. |
| Reporting | Export-only. This worksheet is skipped when importing a multi-area workbook. |
Preview, completion and recovery
- Upload the file and select Validate and preview. Resolve all reported errors.
- Confirm only the intended changes. Supported updates save the pre-change values before applying them.
- Wait for the final result. Check updated, skipped and error counts in the result and Job history.
- Verify the affected records in Shopify.
- To recover a supported update, use the matching record in Backups and confirm Restore backup. Wait for the final status and verify the original values in Shopify.
Keep your untouched export. A recovery record covers supported values in that job; it is not a full-store snapshot and cannot reverse every Shopify action. Avoid making further changes to the same records while importing or restoring. A restore may be blocked if the current data no longer matches the expected state.
When something needs attention
- Unknown file or tab: start from a fresh export and preserve its headings and tab names.
- Permission error: reopen the app through Shopify Admin and complete any requested permission update. Check that your store supports the feature.
- Record limit: reduce the number of rows or review Pricing. The seven-day trial supports up to 10 records per area; keep each Excel tab within the allowance.
- Empty orders: distinguish Orders from Draft orders and check filters and the connected store.
- Interrupted processing: inspect Job history and the actual Shopify records before retrying. Some rows may already have completed.
For help, send the data area, job time and error message through support. Remove customer details from screenshots and sample files.
Need a hand?
Tell us which data area you are working with and what happened. We can help you find your next step.
Contact support