How to Export Products from Shopify (Step-by-Step Guide)
Exporting your products to a CSV file is the standard way to back up a Shopify catalog, move it to another store, or edit many products in bulk in a spreadsheet. Shopify builds the file for you in a few clicks — this guide shows exactly where to click, which export option to choose, and what to do with the file afterwards.
Step 1 — Open the export page
In your Shopify admin, go to Products. At the top of the products list you will find the Export button. If you only want some of the products, tick their checkboxes first — the export can include either your entire catalog or just the selected products.
Step 2 — Choose the export options
The most important choice here is the CSV variant. Shopify offers two: a plain CSV (the exact format Shopify stores and imports) and a CSV for Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers (converted for spreadsheet apps). Use the plain CSV if you plan to re-import the file into Shopify — the spreadsheet variant can break on re-import.
- Export: all products, or only the ones you selected.
- CSV column separator: comma-separated — the default works everywhere.
- Encoding: leave UTF-8 as it is so special characters stay correct.
- Export to: a downloadable file. Very large catalogs are sent by email instead.
Step 3 — Download the file
Click Export products. Shopify prepares the file and your browser downloads it. Depending on the catalog size this takes a few seconds to a few minutes; stores with tens of thousands of products receive a download link by email instead of a direct download.
What the exported file contains
The CSV has one row per product variant, with all the standard columns — Handle, Title, Body (HTML), Vendor, Tags, options, prices, SKUs and image URLs. Products with several variants produce several rows, and extra images get their own rows below the variants. We explain every column in the Shopify product CSV format guide.
What to do with the exported file
- Back it up — keep a copy so you can restore your catalog at any time.
- Edit in bulk — change prices, tags or descriptions in the spreadsheet, then re-import the file. See how to import products into Shopify for the import steps.
- Move it to another store — the same file imports into any Shopify store via Products → Import.
- Duplicate a catalog — combined with an import it is the easiest way to copy products between Shopify stores.
Frequently asked questions
Does exporting products delete them?
No. Exporting only reads the catalog and writes it to a file — nothing is removed or changed in your store. You can export as often as you like.
Can I export products without admin access?
The export button needs store admin access. However, the publicly available part of any Shopify catalog can be read with our free Shopify Products Importer — paste the store link and download a Shopify-ready CSV without any login.
Ready to import products?
Generate a Shopify-ready CSV from any store link — free, no sign-up.
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