Importing
Import modes: create, update, replace or delete
What each of the five import modes does, and when to use it.
Last updated
The five modes
- Create and update (default): rows that match an item update it; rows that don't create a new one.
- Create only: only new items are created; rows that match an existing item are skipped.
- Update only: only existing items are updated; rows that match nothing are skipped.
- Replace: like update, but empty cells clear the value — description, vendor, type, tags, SEO, compare-at price, SKU, barcode and metafields. Title and price are never cleared.
- Delete: only the ID or Handle is used. You type DELETE to confirm, and Undo can re-create what was deleted (with new IDs).
How rows are matched
Products and collections are matched by ID, then Handle. Variants by Variant ID, then SKU, then option values. Customers by ID, then email. Empty cells leave the store value alone in every mode except Replace.
Set a default
Choose the mode you use most under Settings. You can still change it for each import.