Use CSV import and export to manage product groups in a spreadsheet. Each row describes one Shopify product in one group, including its primary swatch. This is a product-group format, not a variant-swatch import.
Open Product groups > More actions > Export.
Check Your email and select Start export.
When the export finishes, select Download from the recent exports list. The download link is also sent by email.
Export before bulk editing so you have a copy of the current CSV data. The file contains the group's primary option and swatch information. It is not a complete backup of additional options, linked-group relationships, automations, appearance settings, or theme installation.
Use your export as a starting point, or download the sample CSV template from the import form. Keep all template headers, even when a column's values are optional. Replace sample rows with your own products and save the file as UTF-8 CSV.
Column | What to enter |
|---|---|
| The existing Shopify product handle, such as |
| The group's title. Use the same title on all rows belonging to that group. |
| The storefront option heading, such as |
| A name such as |
| One of |
| A hex color such as |
| The second hex color for |
| An accessible image URL for |
| A whole-number position within the group, starting at 0 or higher. |
| A whole-number position for the group when several groups appear on a product. |
|
|
For example, put linen-shirt-black and linen-shirt-blue on separate rows with the same group_title, such as Linen shirt. Give them their own swatch names and colors.
Keep existing group titles and product handles when updating those entries. Changing a group title in the CSV can create another group instead of renaming the existing one.
Open Product groups > More actions > Import.
Select Create import, or Create first import if you have no previous imports.
Upload the CSV.
For an ordinary addition or update, leave both removal options under Advanced unchecked.
Select Import groups.
Review the result and any listed errors. When available, use Go to groups to inspect the imported groups.
Rows with an existing group title and product handle update the matching entry. With the removal options unchecked, leaving an existing group or product out of the file does not remove it.
Import completion and storefront updates are separate. After the import completes, allow the groups to finish syncing before checking the storefront.
The Advanced options change existing data:
Remove groups and swatches not included in import removes existing group data omitted from the import. Use a complete intended dataset, not a file containing only a few changes.
Remove all existing groups before import deletes existing groups before processing the file. An import error does not restore them.
These actions cannot be undone through the import form. Export first and check the file before using them. For routine edits or retries, leave both unchecked.
Error or result | What to check |
|---|---|
Missing headers | Restore the exact headers from the sample template, including optional columns. |
Product handle not found | Confirm that the product exists in the destination store and use its handle, not its title, SKU, or full URL. |
Missing value or validation error | Check the reported row, swatch type, required colors, and image URL. |
Invalid CSV encoding | Re-save as UTF-8 CSV. You can open the file in Google Sheets and download it again as CSV. |
A group or membership limit error | Read which limit was reached. Choosing a group limit explains groups per product; a group's product-count limit is different. |
An import can apply valid rows and still report errors. Do not assume a failed or partially completed import left all data unchanged. Check the groups, correct the reported rows, and create another import with the removal options unchecked.
Install Color Swatches in the destination store, then import the exported CSV there. The destination products must already exist and have matching handles, or you must update the file to use their handles.
CSV transfers the supported group and swatch data. Configure appearance and theme widgets in the destination store separately. Exporting and importing is a one-time transfer, not ongoing synchronization between stores.
If an automation manages the groups you are editing, change its source data for lasting membership changes. A later automation run can reapply its rules.
