Why imports fail before the data rows
Most header-related import failures come from one of these problems:
Common Scenarios:
- A header was renamed by Excel auto-formatting, e.g. 'Body HTML' instead of 'Body (HTML)'.
- The file was saved without UTF-8 BOM and non-English characters turned into garbage.
- A custom column was added that Shopify does not recognize.
- Columns were reordered and Shopify reads values into the wrong fields.
Get the file right from the first row
ShopTools provides the exact 51-column header as a downloadable CSV template. Use it as a base and run the result through the validator to catch any formatting mistakes before import.
Features:
- Exact Shopify headers: All 51 columns in the correct order and spelling
- UTF-8 BOM: Opens correctly in Excel, WPS and Google Sheets
- Validator-ready: Drop the finished file into the ShopTools checker before import
How to use the template
- Download the template and open it in Excel, Google Sheets, WPS or LibreOffice.
- Paste or type your product data under the existing headers without renaming them.
- Add variant rows by repeating the same Handle with different Option and SKU values.
- Save as CSV UTF-8, then validate with the ShopTools checker before importing to Shopify.
Wrong header vs correct header
- Before: Header: 'Body HTML' (missing parentheses) -> Shopify rejects After: Header: 'Body (HTML)' -> imports cleanly
- Before: File saved as plain CSV without BOM -> special characters break After: UTF-8 BOM -> Excel and Shopify both read it correctly
Who needs this template
- Anyone building a Shopify import file: The right starting point prevents header errors
- Agencies and VAs: Standardize the base file across clients
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is this the exact Shopify template?
- Yes - it uses Shopify's documented 51-column product CSV header row in the correct order.
- What encoding is the file?
- UTF-8 with BOM. This keeps Excel and WPS from mangling non-English characters.
- Can I add extra columns?
- Shopify ignores unknown columns, but it is safer to stay with the standard 51 columns unless you know exactly what you are doing.
- Do I still need to validate the file?
- Yes - the template fixes the header, but your data rows still need checks for prices, SKUs, images and options.
- Is there a sample file that includes variants?
- Yes - download shopify_sample_with_variants.csv to see how Handle, Option and SKU columns structure variant rows, including the image rows. It is a valid Shopify CSV you can import to a development store.