This guide explains how to bulk create and import collections to Shopify using Excel or Google Sheets.
Data exported in formats other than CSV, such as JSON or XML, can be converted to CSV using online converter tools before importing.
Prerequisites
- CSV data exported from your source platform (if applicable)
- A Google Account (for Google Sheets)
- Blog Importer (Shopify app)
Open the CSV Template
Using the Blog Importer’s CSV template is the most reliable method. The template comes pre-formatted with the exact column headers required for importing into Shopify.
Collection Template
Do not change the column headers (the first row) in the template. Altering these will cause the import to fail.
Import Data into Google Sheets
If you have exported your source data as a CSV, load it into Google Sheets:
- Open Google Sheets.
- Go to File > Import.
- Select and import your CSV file.
Format Data to Match the Template
Next, copy the columns from your source data (such as title and body) into the corresponding columns in the template.
Field Definitions
title
The collection’s display title. Example: Spring New Arrivals
handle
The URL slug for the collection. Alphanumeric characters and hyphens are recommended. Duplicates may affect skip or overwrite rules. Example: spring-new-arrivals
description
The collection description (supports HTML).
image
The URL for the collection’s thumbnail image. Example: https://…/cover.jpg
template_suffix
Specifies the Liquid template.
Working with custom metafields is an advanced operation as it requires strict data type matching. Ensure you create the required custom metafields in Shopify beforehand. To prevent inconsistencies, we highly recommend running a test import with about 5 records first.
Export the CSV
Once your data is ready, export it as a CSV:
- Go to File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv).
- Save the downloaded CSV file.
Upload via Blog Importer
Open the Blog Importer app, drag and drop your CSV file, and start the import.
