Importing a single product with variants fails with the error “Option value provided for unknown options,” while importing the same items as two separate products succeeds. The goal is to add framed print options to existing art prints via CSV.
Cause explained: In Shopify CSVs, all variants of a product must share the same Handle (the product’s unique identifier). Variants require properly paired Option Name (e.g., Size, Color, Frame) and Option Value fields (e.g., Small/Medium, Red/Blue, Framed/Unframed). There are up to three option slots: Option 1/2/3 Name and Option 1/2/3 Value. The error likely occurs because an Option Value is provided without a corresponding Option Name column.
Recommended actions:
Status: No confirmation of resolution yet; guidance provided with a sample file link.
Hi
Please can someone help - I get this error message when trying to import a CSV file: Option value provided for unknown options
I am trying to do a test import so only one product on the file.
I currently sell art prints only and want to add framed print options.
The import works when I do them as two seperate products buy when I try to import as one it gives me this message.
Thanks
Louise
Hi Louise,
In Shopify, all variants for a given product will share the same ‘Handle’, this is what ties them together. The ‘Option Name’ fields hold the labels for the variants (like ‘size’ or ‘color’), and the ‘Option Value’ fields hold the data (like ‘small’, ‘medium’, ‘large’ or ‘red’, ‘green’, ‘blue’). There are three option spaces:
Option 1 Name/Option 1 Value
Option 2 Name/Option 2 Value
Option 3 Name/Option 3 Value
These are the fields you need to pay attention when importing variants. It sounds like you might be missing an ‘option name’ column.
This sample file has three products, and the first one (example-t-shirt) has three variants.
Best,
Alison