How does CSV file upload generate product handles automatically?

[tonygrwthco]

Hello!

We are uploading a CSV file from a supplier, now all the feilds are correct, but theres no column for handle, however the products are getting their handles generated for them. What fields is it using to generate the product handles from? Thanks

[productsync · Accepted solution]

Hi

Shopify normally uses the title field to generate a handle field automatically as that is also your product URL.

You can add a handle column if you would like to create your own: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/import-export/using-csv#product-csv-file-format

Just remember it has to be unique as is the primary key.

Regards

Tom

[tonygrwthco]

Thanks so much! Couldnt find an answer anywhere and our client would like to know! Thanks again for your help

[tonygrwthco]

If you could answer one more question for me, on the Shopify site, it states that when importing a CSV "handle" is  Required. Can't be blank or missing. However this CSV from our supplier doesnt have a handle column and uploads just fine? Any reason for that? 

[productsync]

Hi

Yes I saw that as well. You can however upload without handle and title column gets used to generate it automatically.

[Hippielife]

Does this mean that it will also recognise the title column as the handle when overwriting and updating an imported CVS please?