CSV Import Checklist for Ecommerce Platforms

Universal Pre-Import Checklist

Run through these checks on every CSV, regardless of platform.

File structure

• [ ] The file has a .csv extension and is plain comma-separated text (not .xlsx renamed to .csv — open in a text editor to verify)
• [ ] Row 1 contains column headers — no blank rows above it, no title row
• [ ] No blank rows anywhere in the file (delete them in Excel with Ctrl+G > Special > Blanks)
• [ ] No summary, total, or formula rows at the bottom
• [ ] No merged cells (merged cells export as blanks in all cells except the first)
• [ ] Column count is the same on every row (every row has the same number of commas)

Encoding

• [ ] File is saved as UTF-8 without BOM (check in VS Code status bar)
• [ ] No garbled characters (’, é, £) visible in any field values
• [ ] First column header has no invisible BOM prefix (check in a text editor)

Headers

• [ ] Column names match the platform's exact spelling (case-sensitive)
• [ ] No leading or trailing spaces in any column name
• [ ] No duplicate column names
• [ ] Required columns are present (see platform-specific checklists below)

Data types

• [ ] Price columns contain only numbers (no $, EUR, or other symbols)
• [ ] Boolean fields use the correct format for the platform (TRUE/FALSE, 1/0, y/n)
• [ ] Required text fields are not blank on any row
• [ ] SKU/identifier fields are unique across the file
• [ ] Image URLs are absolute (start with https://) and publicly accessible

Shopify-Specific Checklist

• [ ] Handle is present and non-blank on every row
• [ ] Variant rows share the same Handle as the parent product row
• [ ] Title is present on the parent (first) row for each product; blank on variant rows is OK
• [ ] Variant Price is a positive decimal number on every row
• [ ] Boolean fields (Published, Requires Shipping, Gift Card) use TRUE or FALSE
• [ ] Option1 Name, Option1 Value are present on all rows for variable products
• [ ] No extra option columns without values (e.g., Option3 Name without Option3 Value)
• [ ] Image URLs end in .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, or .webp
• [ ] Tags field uses commas to separate tags (wrapped in quotes if present)

Open Shopify CSV Fixer | View Shopify Template

WooCommerce-Specific Checklist

• [ ] Type column contains a valid value: simple, variable, variation, grouped, or external
• [ ] SKU is non-blank and unique for simple products; variation rows inherit parent SKU if left blank
• [ ] Regular price is a plain decimal number (no currency symbols)
• [ ] Boolean fields (In stock?, Backorders allowed?) use 1 or 0
• [ ] Variation rows have a Parent value matching the parent product's ID or SKU
• [ ] Attribute columns follow the Attribute 1 name / Attribute 1 value(s) naming pattern
• [ ] Tax status is taxable, shipping, or none
• [ ] Image URLs are absolute HTTPS URLs

Open WooCommerce CSV Fixer | View WooCommerce Template

Etsy-Specific Checklist

• [ ] title is non-blank and under 140 characters
• [ ] price is a positive decimal number
• [ ] quantity is a whole positive integer
• [ ] when_made uses an allowed value from Etsy's enum (e.g., made_to_order, 2020_2024)
• [ ] who_made is i_did, someone_else, or collective
• [ ] is_supply is true or false
• [ ] tags contains 13 or fewer comma-separated tags, each under 20 characters
• [ ] image1 URL is a publicly accessible HTTPS URL

Open Etsy CSV Fixer | View Etsy Template

eBay-Specific Checklist

• [ ] Action column is present on every row: Add, Revise, Relist, End, or Delete
• [ ] Category is a valid numeric eBay category ID
• [ ] Title is 80 characters or fewer
• [ ] StartPrice is a positive decimal number (no currency symbols)
• [ ] Condition uses eBay's allowed condition IDs (e.g., 1000 for New, 3000 for Used)
• [ ] Duration uses an allowed value: Days_3, Days_5, Days_7, GTC, etc.
• [ ] PicURL contains a semicolon-separated list of HTTPS image URLs
• [ ] Quantity is a whole positive integer

Open eBay CSV Fixer | View eBay Template

Amazon-Specific Checklist

• [ ] seller_sku is non-blank, unique, and under 40 characters
• [ ] item_name is non-blank and under 500 characters
• [ ] price is a positive decimal number (no currency symbols)
• [ ] quantity is a whole number (0 or positive)
• [ ] condition_type uses an allowed value: New, Used, Refurbished, etc.
• [ ] fulfillment_center_id is AMAZON (FBA) or DEFAULT (FBM)
• [ ] The template matches the correct product type (clothing flat files differ from electronics)
• [ ] product_id and product_id_type are present and consistent (ASIN, UPC, EAN, etc.)

Open Amazon CSV Fixer | View Amazon Template

Test With a Small Batch First

Before uploading your entire catalog, test with 3-5 rows:

1. Copy 3 data rows into a new file (keep the same header row)
2. Upload the small test file
3. Review the import result — check that all fields mapped correctly and the products look right
4. If it passes, import the full file

Testing with a small batch makes it much easier to identify problems before they affect hundreds of rows.

What to Do If the Import Still Fails

1. Read the error message carefully — platform error reports usually name the column or row that failed
2. Search for the exact error message plus the platform name to find platform-specific documentation
3. Upload the file to StriveFormats for automated validation — it catches issues the platform error messages don't explain clearly

Fix This Automatically with StriveFormats

Run through this entire checklist automatically. StriveFormats validates all universal and platform-specific rules, flags exact cells with issues, and auto-fixes safe problems.

Open CSV Fixer | View CSV Templates