How to convert a supplier CSV into a Shopify product CSV
Supplier exports rarely use Shopify's product column names. A vendor may supply Item Number, Product Name, Wholesale and Photo URL, while Shopify expects product and variant fields in its own format. The safest first step is to map the columns and preview the output before importing into a store.
Our free supplier-to-Shopify CSV converter reads the CSV locally, suggests mappings, and lets you download a basic product CSV. You can try its sample data before opening your own file.
Example: field mapping
| Example supplier column | Shopify destination | What to check |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | Title | Not blank; distinct titles for distinct products |
Item SKU | SKU | Identifier represents the intended product variant |
Retail Price | Price | Numeric value, such as 19.99, without currency symbols |
Brand | Vendor | Seller-facing brand or supplier designation |
Photo URL | Product image URL | Publicly accessible HTTPS image, not a local disk path |
Product Slug | URL handle | Letters, numbers and hyphens; predictable grouping |
Step 1: inspect the supplier file
Confirm whether the file is comma-separated, tab-separated or semicolon-separated, and whether one row is one product, one variant or one image. Keep the original untouched. Open the source in a plain-text viewer when Excel's formatting might be silently changing values such as leading-zero SKUs.
Step 2: map columns rather than renaming everything
Shopify distinguishes product-level and variant-level fields. The current product CSV format requires Title for new products and uses URL handle to group variants. If your supplier provides multiple sizes or colors, map the correct option names and values together—do not create several rows with identical handles and identical option values.
Step 3: check prices and images
A price such as $24.99 USD is not the same as the numeric 24.99 format expected by Shopify. Wholesale cost and selling price are also different fields; do not inadvertently publish supplier costs as retail prices. Image references must be usable URLs; a spreadsheet path such as C:\photos\sku-4.jpg will not give Shopify a reachable online image.
Step 4: preview duplicate handles and variants
Two rows sharing a handle can be intentional when they represent variants of the same product. The issue is whether the option combinations uniquely identify each variant. Before import, review any handle collisions, duplicate option values, missing titles and invalid price formats.
Step 5: start with a test import
Export your conversion file, preserve the original, and test a few products in a non-production environment or controlled small import. If you're updating existing store products, Shopify warns that variant-related changes can recreate existing identifiers and affect dependent apps.
What the current tool does not handle
Our initial converter assumes roughly one supplier row per product or variant. Complex nested options, multi-image records, bundled products, marketplace-specific taxonomies and location-specific inventory require further preparation. It is a file-preparation tool—not a guarantee that every supplier catalog can be imported without adjustments.
Helpful next steps
Read Shopify's official product CSV documentation, run the Shopify product CSV checker on the converted file, or consult the product vs inventory CSV guide if the file's purpose is uncertain.