Bulk upload changes to specific fields

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A user needed to bulk update product metafield data via CSV upload without affecting other product information. They encountered an error message about a missing “src” column when attempting the upload.

Resolution:

  • The error was caused by accidentally including an image alt text column in the CSV
  • For partial updates, only the handle, title, variant SKU, and target metafield columns are needed
  • Other product data columns (including image columns) should be excluded

Upload Settings:

  • Check “Overwrite products with matching handles”
  • Uncheck “Publish new products to all sales channels”
  • This ensures only the included columns update, leaving other product data intact

Best Practices Recommended:

  • Export and backup all products as CSV before making changes
  • Test updates on 1-2 products first
  • Be cautious with blank columns, as they can accidentally delete existing data

The user successfully tested the approach on one product, updating only metafield data while preserving all other product information. The original issue stemmed from a migration app that had filled blank metafields with “0” values.

Summarized with AI on November 6. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hey all,

I am trying to upload changes to specific product fields (actually meta data).

I downloaded my product file, removed all columns except handle, title, Variant SKU and the various metafield columns.

I was effectively looking to do a “partial update” to my products.

However when I go to upload it says “src” is missing. I assume it wants the image source column. I am not wanting to change any other details other than my metafield data.

Is that even possible or do I have to include all columns?

Many thanks.

2

Hi,

Hope following will help

  • You can use Shopify’s API for direct metafield updates.
  • Update metafields via Shopify’s Bulk Editor at admin interface.
1 Like
3

Hi @Charming_Beads ,

You shouldn’t need to include the image columns when you’re doing the updating. I’m wondering if the error is related to the type of the metafield you’re updating. Are they all text metafields or do you have some other types of metafields as well?

Best,

Daniel

1 Like
4

Hi Daniel,

Hi Daniel,

Yes that is the answer thanks!

When I rechecked I had accidentally left the alt image text column in there. Makes total sense now.

Sorry can I please ask one more quick question …

I only want to update the fields from the columns present in my file, and not the whole product.

Do I tick “Overwrite products with matching handles” and untick “Publish new products to all sales channels” OR do I untick both please?

Many thanks,

Paul

1 Like
5

Thank you but it was relating to upload csv, not a bulk editor. I didn’t know about the bulk editor though, so that may come in handy for small edits thanks!

6

Hi @Charming_Beads ,

To update the products tick “Overwrite products with matching handles” and untick “Publish new products to all sales channels” like you mentioned. (I don’t think “Publish new products to all sales channels” will have any effect because you’re just updating new products but it’s better to be safe).

I’d also recommend:

  • Exporting all your products to a CSV and keeping that file as a backup
  • Testing your updates on 1-2 products at first

It can be easy to accidentally delete data if you include blank columns or adjust the option1/2/3 columns so it’s always safer to test and have a backup first.

Best,

Daniel

1 Like
7

Hey Daniel,

Thank you so much - I tried it with one product and it worked like a dream, only updating the metafield data fields and leaving the other data in tact.

The issue I had faced is that an app that migrated my products from another platform did an okay job with the metafield data but blank fields were filled with a 0. So I wanted to basically get rid of the 0s for blanks. And that just worked great.

And that’s also great advice to save a copy of the full product data and only tes on one or two products.

Thanks for your help - it was much appreciated!

Kind regards,

Paul

1 Like