Shopify Product Catalog.csv file FAILS to upload variants & inventory data

[HUNTEDFOX]

I downloaded d backup of my Shopify Product catalog with 313 independent  listings with multiple product images & variants for each listing. 

When I attempted to restore this backup file (that Shopify PROVIDED)- NONE of the additional images, variant images or inventory values would re-populate. 

When I look at the .csv file- ALL of the image urls/inventory data and information are present.  However, when I re-upload that file- Shopify simply publishes ONE single product image (omitting all the rest that attached to that listing)- NONE of the supplemental listing images/videos.   NONE of the variant images.  NONE of the variant inventory data. 

My store has been down for 3 days now with ZERO support from Shopify who claims to be "re-indexing" the .csv file.  Thus far- nothing has worked.

This is an INSANE misstep on Shopify's side to deliver a backup file that they themselves cannot honor or restore completely.  I have no clue how to proceed and am in absolute distress ad I cannot re-do all of my inventory or manually update ALL of my listings by hand. 

[Ablestar_Daniel]

That's very unfortunate @HUNTEDFOX, I'm sorry. Would you be ok with sharing the first 10-20 rows of the file so I can take a look at it and see if I can figure what's going on?

[HUNTEDFOX]

I have been on "support" chat with Shopify for DAYS now- and here is what I have discovered:

I replaced my products with an import that eliminated all of my variants and supplemental product images. 

When I uploaded the backup .csv- Shopify failed to and continues to fail to acknowledge and apply the image files in column AB (of their own backup file) which points to all of the files that are stored in the content->files section of Shopify.  

FURTHERMORE- and even more devastating is that column T states that inventory is managed by Shopify. 

SO- when all of the variants were deleted and failed to restore- Shopify eliminated ALL OF MY INVENTORY DATA including qty/location. 

I had NO idea that this could possibly be the result when i downloaded a BACKUP of my entire product catalog as per Shopify's own instructions. 

My entire store is dismantled and my e-commerce is absolutely stopped as a result of this.