Topic: Assigning products to collections via CSV bulk import.
Core guidance: The Product CSV template doesn’t include a collections column by default, but you can manually add a “Collection” column. This only assigns a product to one manual collection. For automated collections, use existing fields (title, type, vendor, tags, etc.) to meet collection conditions; no collection column needed.
Adding to multiple collections: Not supported via a single CSV for manual collections. Options suggested: use automated collections (set conditions), Shopify’s Bulk Editor, or the third‑party app “Bulk Product Editor.”
Reported issue: A user added the “collection” column; collection titles appeared but the collections were empty. No definitive fix provided in-thread.
Workarounds/Apps: Some users report success by uploading the CSV multiple times, each time with a different collection value to add products to multiple manual collections. Another app, “MassCat,” was recommended to add products in bulk to multiple collections via SKU lists.
Open questions: How to remove products from collections in bulk (seasonal rotations) remains unresolved. Thread status: ongoing, with app-based solutions suggested.
I’ve done a test import of forty products using the bulk import tool on the product page.
I may be missing something, but there doesn’t seem to be a field in the CSV file to assign products to particular collection, only a product type.
As the products wont display without being assigned to a collection, this seems to be a massive glitch, please don’t tell me I have to manually assign 18000 products to their respective collections !
Hello, @Mad_Modeler !
I’m Helen from Shopify Support. This is a great question.
The Product CSV template does not initially include a column to assign products to collections. However, a collections column can be manually added! In fact, it is the only column that can be added to a CSV file that won’t break the format. Please review our Help Doc on Using CSV Files. It contains a section about the collection column exception.
The collection column is useful when assigning products to manual collections only. If your collections are automated, this additional column does not need to be added. For automated collections, you will fill-in the appropriate existing columns (title, type, tag, vendor etc.) to fulfill the conditions for the collection that the product is to be assigned to.
If you have any more questions or concerns, please let me know.
Thanks.
That will save me a massive headache !!
Hi Helen me again !
Adding the collection field works great !
Next issue, using the CSV file how do I add a product to multiple collections ?
Hey, @Mad_Modeler !
Another great question.
Adding products to multiple collections requires the collections to be automated. In this case, you would not be using the collection column on your CSV, as that column is intended to add a product to one manual collection only.
You can use the CSV to edit your products and assign the conditions that you have set for every automated collection you would like to filter them into. Once those conditions are assigned, your products will automatically filter into each collection when you upload the CSV back into your store. This can also be accomplished via the built-in Bulk Editor.
However, I understand that this is not ideal for 18,000 products, and/or if you have already set up your collections to be manual. Therefore, I recommend using an app called Bulk Product Editor. With this app, you can filter for certain products using a variety of criteria. You can edit those products in bulk, including adding then to multiple manual collections.
This app has a free plan option, so I suggest installing it onto your store to see if the functionality works for your business needs. Bulk Product Editor is created by a third party developer, so if you have questions about it’s functionality or abilities please reach out to the developer directly. They will be your best resource.
Hope this helps!
I have added a column “collection” in csv file and uploaded the products.
Collection titles shows up but collection is empty. How to solve this ?
All my collections are “manual”
I have added a column “collection” in csv file and uploaded the products.
Collection titles shows up but collection is empty. How to solve this ?
Hi. I tried adding Collection column in bulk edit. Upload excel multiple times to add product to multiple collections.
First time: Add first collection only in excel & then upload.
Second time: Add second collection only in excel & then upload.
so on..
Yes, this worked for me also. The big question is how we can remove collection from products in bulk. We are in apparel business and have new collection every season. So, at the start of the season, the products need to be added in New Collection and at the end of the season they need to be moved to Sale Collection and so on.
Hi @sanjeevar28 and @reddyinc ,
You can use MassCat app to add products in bulk to multiple collections simultaneously. Simply copy and paste the list of SKUs for the products you want to add in the app and then select the collections.
Hope this helps!