How to import products from a CSV file

To import products from a CSV file, prepare a spreadsheet with one row per product or variant, test the import with a few rows, then upload the full file and check the result. A CSV is a plain text file that opens in any spreadsheet tool, which makes it the common format for moving products.

morebasket can import and export products by CSV from the Products area of your admin. The AI store builder can also start from a spreadsheet of your products, and the CSV import in Products works on its own, so you can use either or both. This guide covers the practical steps.

What is a CSV file?

CSV stands for comma-separated values. Each row is a product (or one variant of a product), and each column is a field such as title, description or price. You can create one in any spreadsheet tool by choosing “Save as CSV” or “Download as CSV”.

Step 1: Gather your product data

Collect everything in one place before you format it. For each product, you will usually want:

• A title and a description.
• A price.
• Images.
• Options such as size or color, and the variants they create.
• Stock quantities.
• Collection, category or tag.

If you are coming from another platform, start by exporting its product file. The steps for Shopify are in how to move your store from Shopify to morebasket.

Step 2: Prepare your columns

Use a header row and give each column a clear name. Keep one idea per column. A tidy file avoids most import problems.

Column idea	What to put there
Title	The product name, as customers see it
Description	Plain text or the description you want shown
Price	A number, with no currency symbols
Image	A web address of the image
Option names and values	For example Size and Color
Stock	A whole number
Collection or tags	The groups the product belongs to

Check the current column names expected by the importer in your admin, and match your header row to them. If your file came from another platform, you may need to rename columns.

Step 3: Set up variants and options

A product with options, such as a T-shirt in three sizes and two colors, has six variants. In a CSV, variants are usually listed as separate rows that share the product, with each row holding one option combination, its price and its stock.

Keep option names consistent. “Size” on one row and “size” on another can create two options. See Products for how variants and options work in morebasket.

Step 4: Check your images

Images are the most common cause of a broken import. Check that:

• Each image address is complete and opens in a browser.
• The images are public, not behind a login.
• File names have no odd characters.

If you do not have image links yet, import the products first and add photos afterward. For taking photos, read product photos with a phone.

Step 5: Test with a few rows

Make a copy of your file with only five to ten rows. Include one plain product, one with variants and one with images. Import this small file first. It is a quick way to find a column or format problem before it affects hundreds of products.

Step 6: Run the full import

When the test looks right, import the full file. Large imports run in the background, so you do not need to keep the page open.

Step 7: Check the result

Open your product list and spot-check:

• Product count against your file.
• Titles and descriptions for odd characters.
• Prices on a few products.
• Variants and options on your most complex product.
• Images on product pages.
• Stock levels in Inventory.

If something is wrong, fix the file, delete the bad products, and import again. Keep a copy of the original file so you can always go back.

What can go wrong?

• Wrong prices: a currency symbol or comma in the price column.
• Duplicate options: inconsistent spelling or capital letters.
• Missing images: private or broken links.
• Garbled characters: save the file as UTF-8 text if your tool offers the choice.

How do I keep the file tidy for next time?

Keep one master spreadsheet as your source of truth. Add a column for notes, but remove it before you export to CSV. Use the same naming pattern for products, options and collections each time. Save dated copies, such as a file for each import, so you can compare versions when something looks different. A tidy master file also makes a later move to another platform much faster.

Can I export my products too?

Yes. Product export by CSV runs in the background. It is a good habit to export before a large edit, so you have a backup.

Can the AI store builder use a spreadsheet?

Yes. The AI store builder can start from a spreadsheet or CSV of your products, as well as from a description of your shop, and it drafts a design, page copy and an initial catalog. The CSV import in Products also works on its own, which suits adding or updating products in an existing store. Either way, your store stays private until you publish it, so you can check the result first, then edit it by clicking or by asking Shopmate.

Next step

Make a ten-row test file today and import it into your store. When it looks right, import the full catalog, then connect payments with set up payments with Stripe or PayPal. Plans are on the pricing page.