ShopifyStructure
Product category looks like a Google id
Product category contains only digits, like a Google product category id.
What is this issue?
Product category contains only digits, like a Google product category id.
Affected field:
Product category looks like a Google idUpload your CSV to check for this issue and export a clean file.
Fix nowWhy Shopify rejects this
Shopify's Product category uses Shopify's own taxonomy; Google category ids belong in a separate column.
Fix in StriveFormats
Upload your CSV to StriveFormats to detect this issue across all rows, with clear line-by-line reporting.
Fix in Excel
- 1Review the Product category looks like a Google id column for incorrect values.
- 2Fix any cells that do not match the expected format.
- 3Save as CSV (Comma delimited).
Fix in Google Sheets
- 1Review the Product category looks like a Google id column for incorrect values.
- 2Correct any cells that do not match the expected format.
- 3Go to File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv).
Prevent it next time
- ✓Start from the official platform template to avoid structural issues.
- ✓Run your file through StriveFormats before every import.
- ✓Test with a small sample file first to catch errors before they affect your full catalog.
How StriveFormats detects this
StriveFormats parses every row of your CSV and applies Shopify-specific validation rules to the Product category looks like a Google id field. Any row that violates the rule is flagged with the row number and the specific value that caused the issue.
►Technical detail
Shopify's importer validates the Product category looks like a Google id field against its official import specification. Values that do not meet the expected format are flagged to prevent silent data corruption -- an invalid value that slips through import might appear as a blank field, a zero, or incorrect text in your storefront without any error message after the fact.