COLLECTIONS
How to import Shopify collections from a CSV
Shopify has no built in collection import, so restructuring a catalog usually means creating collections by hand. With a spreadsheet you can create manual collections and rule based smart collections in one pass.
Step by step
Build the spreadsheet
Title is required. Handle, Description HTML and Sort order are optional. For a smart collection, set Is smart collection to true and put its rules in Rules JSON.
Write the smart collection rules
Rules JSON is a list of rules. Each rule has a column (such as TAG, VENDOR, TYPE or VARIANT_PRICE), a relation (such as EQUALS, CONTAINS, GREATER_THAN or LESS_THAN) and a condition. A product must match every rule to be included.
Load the file into BulkCSV
Open BulkCSV in your Shopify admin and drop the file onto the import area. CSV, XLS and XLSX files all work, and you can also paste the link to a public Google Sheet.
Validate and read the preview
BulkCSV checks every row before anything is sent to Shopify. Rows with problems are listed with the row number and the reason, so you can fix the spreadsheet and load it again. Nothing in your store changes at this stage.
Run the import
Collections are created and logged per row. Smart collections start filling with matching products straight away.
Example file
Smart collections set Is smart collection to true and supply their rules as JSON.
| Title | Handle | Description HTML | Sort order | Is smart collection | Rules JSON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Picks | staff-picks | <p>What we are using this season.</p> | MANUAL | false | |
| Travel Bags | travel-bags | <p>Duffels and carry-ons.</p> | BEST_SELLING | true | [{"column":"TAG","relation":"EQUALS","condition":"travel"}] |
| Under $50 | under-50 | PRICE_ASC | true | [{"column":"VARIANT_PRICE","relation":"LESS_THAN","condition":"50"}] |
Download this example as a CSV ↓
Good to know
- The easiest way to get the rules format right is to export an existing smart collection and copy its Rules JSON.
- Sort order uses Shopify's values, such as MANUAL, BEST_SELLING, ALPHA_ASC, PRICE_ASC, PRICE_DESC and CREATED_DESC.
- UPDATE can change a collection's title, handle, description and sort order. Shopify does not allow the rules of a smart collection to be changed this way.
- Rollback removes the collections an import created. It never deletes the products inside them.
Try it on your own store
BulkCSV is free for your first 250 rows, with every feature included. No card needed.
Install BulkCSV free →Common questions
Can I add products to a manual collection from the file?
Not yet. The import creates the collection itself. For automatic membership, use a smart collection with a tag rule and tag the products.
What if my Rules JSON is invalid?
Validation flags the row before the import runs, so a typo cannot create a broken collection.