Standard Imports: Products

1) Quick decision map

Which CodOpera value should I use?

UPDATE: change a product/variant that already exists (typically identified by SKU).
INSERT: create new SKUs that don’t exist yet in Shopify.
DELETE: permanently delete specific SKUs from the catalog.

Important: test first with 3–5 rows before running large batches.

2) Real-world use cases

Adding brand-new products: when the items do not exist yet in Shopify. Use CodOpera=INSERT and fill at least SKU (Variant SKU), name (Title), price (Variant Price) and stock (Variant Inventory Qty). Then spot-check 2–3 products in Shopify before importing the rest.
Updating prices: when you only want to correct prices for existing products. Use CodOpera=UPDATE, identify by SKU (Variant SKU) and set the new price (Variant Price). Double-check number formatting in Excel to avoid wrong amounts.
Updating stock: when your goal is to sync inventory. Use CodOpera=UPDATE with SKU (Variant SKU) and quantity (Variant Inventory Qty). Recommended: test with a small subset first to confirm it updates the expected items.
Removing products from the catalog: when you need to delete specific SKUs (discontinued, duplicates, mistakes). Use CodOpera=DELETE with SKU (Variant SKU). This is permanent—export a backup first if you need traceability.

3) Editable columns (visual table)

Depending on the export type, your file may include many more columns (images, variants, collections, SEO, per-location inventory, metafields...). Below are the most common and useful ones for day-to-day operations.

Column	What it contains	Shopify usage	Applies
Operation (CodOpera / Command)	Row action	Defines operation	UPDATE/INSERT/DELETE
Product ID (ID)	Internal identifier	References a Shopify product	Update
Handle / URL (Handle / URL)	Friendly identifier	Link and SEO	UPDATE/INSERT
Name (Title)	Product name	Catalog/storefront text	UPDATE/INSERT
Description (Body HTML)	Product description	Product page content	UPDATE/INSERT
Vendor (Vendor)	Brand/vendor name	Catalog organization	UPDATE/INSERT
Product type (Type)	Classification	Filters/organization	UPDATE/INSERT
Tags (Tags)	Tag list	Search and segmentation	UPDATE/INSERT
Tags action (Tags Command)	How to apply tags	Add/remove/replace behavior	UPDATE
Status (Status)	Active/Draft/Archived	Visibility control	UPDATE
Published (Published / Published At)	Publish settings	Publication control	UPDATE
Template (Template Suffix)	Theme template	Product page layout	UPDATE
Category (Category / Category: Name)	Shopify category	Classification	UPDATE
Collections (Custom Collections / Smart Collections)	Collection assignment	Catalog navigation	UPDATE
Main image (Image Src)	Image URL	Product gallery	UPDATE/INSERT
Image alt text (Image Alt Text)	Alt text	Accessibility/SEO	UPDATE
Image position (Image Position)	Sort order	Gallery order	UPDATE
Image action (Image Command)	How to apply changes	Add/remove/replace behavior	UPDATE
SKU (Variant SKU)	Variant identifier	Targets exact variant	All
Barcode (Variant Barcode)	EAN/UPC	Logistics identification	UPDATE/INSERT
Price (Variant Price)	Selling price	Commercial price update	UPDATE/INSERT
Compare-at price (Variant Compare At Price)	Reference price	Sales/discount presentation	UPDATE
Cost (Variant Cost)	Internal cost	Margins/reporting	UPDATE
Stock (Variant Inventory Qty)	Quantity	Inventory adjustment	UPDATE/INSERT
Stock adjustment (Variant Inventory Adjust)	Inventory delta	Increase/decrease stock	UPDATE
Variant options (Option1/2/3 Name & Value)	Size/color/…	Variant definition	UPDATE/INSERT
Weight (Variant Weight / Unit)	Shipping weight	Shipping calculations	UPDATE
Requires shipping (Variant Requires Shipping)	Yes/No	Physical vs digital	UPDATE
Metafields (Metafield: …)	Custom fields	SEO, attributes, integrations	UPDATE/INSERT
Variant metafields (Variant Metafield: …)	Variant-level custom fields	Feeds/advanced attributes	UPDATE/INSERT

Standard imports — Products

1) Quick decision map

2) Real-world use cases

3) Editable columns (visual table)

Contents