WooCommerce Import Variable Products (2 Easy Methods)

Running a WooCommerce store means handling countless products, especially ones with variations like sizes, colors, or materials. If you’ve tried to perform WooCommerce import variable products manually, you know it is tedious and time-consuming.

Thankfully, there’s a smarter way to handle bulk uploads without losing your sanity.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through two easy methods to master WooCommerce Import Variable Products efficiently. You’ll learn how to format CSV files, map attributes, and troubleshoot common issues using either the built-in WooCommerce importer or the Product Importer Deluxe plugin.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to organize your product data, streamline your workflow, and get your variable products live in minutes. Let’s get started!

Understanding WooCommerce Import Variable Products

What are variable products?

Variable products are items with multiple options such as size or color. They give store owners the flexibility to offer choices without cluttering their catalog.

Instead of listing each variation as a separate product, they’re grouped under a single parent product. This keeps your store organized and makes shopping easier for visitors.

For example, a T-shirt might have variations for “Small,” “Medium,” and “Large” in different colors. Each variation can have its own price, SKU, or stock status.

Why import variable products?

A smooth smooth WooCommerce Import Variable Products process simplifies managing product data. It saves hours of work, reduces errors, and ensures consistency. Plus, it lets you update prices or stock levels across hundreds of products at once.

Method 1: Using The Built-In WooCommerce Importer

1. Preparing your CSV file

• Start by launching a tool like Google Sheets or Excel and create a new spreadsheet.
• Create columns for key parent product details, such as “Product Name” and “Type.”
• Include separate columns for each product variation.
  • For example “Attribute 1 Name” and “Attribute 1 Value.” You can add more columns if you have additional attributes.
• Ensure your CSV file contains columns for SKUs, prices, and stock quantities so no important data is missing.
• Double-check the spreadsheet to confirm that every product row is complete and correctly formatted.

Pro tip: Download a sample CSV file to ensure your WooCommerce Import Variable Products formatting matches requirements.

2. Mapping Product Attributes and Variations

• In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Products > All Products > Import.
• Upload your CSV file, then match your spreadsheet’s columns to WooCommerce fields like “SKU” or “Attributes.”
• Double-check that parent products are linked to their variations using shared SKUs or identifiers.

We’ve found that testing with a small batch of products first helps catch formatting errors early. Once mapped, WooCommerce will preview your imports so you can confirm everything looks right.

3. Running the import and finalizing

• Click Run Importer to upload your variable products.
• Afterward, review your store’s frontend to ensure variations display correctly.
  • If some products don’t appear, check for typos in SKUs or attribute names.
  • Clearing your site’s cache often resolves display issues quickly.

While the built-in WooCommerce importer works for small batches, it’s not ideal for stores with massive inventories or intricate variations. Features like bulk image imports, scheduled updates, or detailed error tracking simply aren’t part of its toolkit—and formatting hiccups can derail larger uploads.

Method 2: Using Product Importer Deluxe

Product Importer Deluxe is a premium plugin designed to streamline WooCommerce Import Variable Products for large or complex catalogs. Unlike the built-in importer, it supports advanced workflows like updating existing products, handling custom fields, and scheduling automatic imports.

We’ve used this plugin for clients with thousands of variations and appreciate how it handles large files without crashing.

Key features include:

1. Bulk image imports with support for multiple images per variation.
2. Custom field mapping (e.g., wholesale pricing, supplier codes, or loyalty points).
3. Scheduled imports to automate inventory updates from suppliers.
4. Grouped variations using identifiers like “Parent SKU” or “Group ID.”
5. Detailed error logs to track missing SKUs, invalid attributes, or formatting issues.
6. Partial updates (e.g., adjust prices or stock levels without overwriting entire product data).

1. Preparing Your CSV File for Product Importer Deluxe

Structure your CSV

• Include standard WooCommerce columns (e.g., SKU, Product Name, Type, Price).
• Add custom columns for data like wholesale_price or supplier_id—fields the built-in tool can’t process.
• Use the Parent column to link variations to their main product. For example:
  • Parent product: T-Shirt (Parent SKU: TSHIRT-001)
  • Variations: TSHIRT-001-SMALL, TSHIRT-001-MEDIUM

Group related variations

• Assign a unique Group ID to variations that share attributes (e.g., the same color but different sizes).

Pro Tip: Download Product Importer Deluxe’s sample CSV template to ensure your headers match the plugin’s requirements.

2. Mapping fields and importing with Product Importer Deluxe

• In WordPress, go to WooCommerce > Product Import Deluxe and upload your file.
• Use dropdown menus to match CSV columns to WooCommerce fields (e.g., map “Color” to pa_color).
• For custom fields like wholesale_price, assign them to the appropriate meta field (e.g., _wholesale_price).

Advanced settings

• Enable Update existing products to modify prices or stock without affecting other product details.
• Use Schedule Import to set recurring updates (e.g., daily stock sync with a supplier’s CSV).

Need more flexibility? Product Importer Deluxe has more options like conditional logic for field mapping, multi-store inventory sync, and support for custom taxonomies. For a detailed guide on these features, explore our advanced import settings walkthrough.

Save templates

• Reuse mappings for future imports to save time.

Completing the Import process

Here’s a breakdown of their strengths and limitations for WooCommerce Import Variable Products:

Test with a small batch

• Run a partial import to verify mappings.
  • Product Importer Deluxe flags errors like missing SKUs or invalid attributes.
• Fix issues flagged in the log (e.g., typos in attribute names or empty required fields).

Run the full import

• After resolving errors, execute the full upload.
• Check your store’s frontend to ensure variations display correctly.
• Confirm custom fields (like wholesale pricing) appear in the product backend.

Comparing The Two Methods

Choosing between the built-in importer and Product Importer Deluxe depends on your store’s size and needs. Here’s a breakdown of their strengths and limitations:

Why Choose Product Importer Deluxe?

We’ve used this plugin to simplify WooCommerce Import Variable Products for clients with 10,000+ variations and rely on its ability to:

• Handle large files (50MB+ CSVs) without crashing.
• Preserve existing data during updates (e.g., keep product descriptions intact while adjusting prices).
• Simplify repetitive tasks with scheduled imports and templates.

While the built-in WooCommerce importer works for basic needs, Product Importer Deluxe is built for scalability—ideal for growing stores or businesses syncing with external inventories.

Conclusion

Importing variable products into WooCommerce doesn’t have to be a headache. The built-in importer works for quick, occasional uploads, but it struggles with complex workflows. Product Importer Deluxe fills those gaps, especially for stores managing thousands of variations or syncing daily with supplier inventories.

In this guide, we covered everything you need to master WooCommerce Import Variable Products efficiently:

• Understanding variable products and why CSV imports save time.
• Method 1: Using the built-in WooCommerce importer
• Method 2: Using Product Importer Deluxe
• Comparing both methods to choose the right tool for your store.

Remember, a well-formatted CSV file remains critical for both methods. Spend time organizing columns like “Parent SKU” and “Group ID” upfront, and you’ll avoid hours of cleanup later.

Whether you’re selling 10 products or 10,000, these methods let you focus less on spreadsheets and more on what matters—growing your WooCommerce store.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I perform WooCommerce Import Variable Products?

You can import variable products using the built-in WooCommerce importer or Product Importer Deluxe. Prepare a CSV file with parent product details and all variation data. Map the CSV columns to the correct WooCommerce fields and run the import.

How do I import product attributes in WooCommerce?

Include columns in your CSV for each attribute, such as size, color, or material. During the import process, map these columns to WooCommerce attribute fields.

How do I add variations to my product in WooCommerce?

For an existing product, go to the product edit screen and select the Attributes tab. Add your attributes and enable variations. If you are importing, make sure each variation is linked to its parent product using a common identifier.

How do I import products with custom fields in WooCommerce?

In your CSV, include columns for any additional data, such as wholesale pricing or supplier codes. Use a plugin like Product Importer Deluxe that supports custom fields to map these columns to the corresponding meta fields.

What is the difference between a simple product and a variable product in WooCommerce?

A simple product is a single item with one SKU, price, and stock level. A variable product groups several options, like different sizes or colors, under one product listing. Each variation can have its own price, SKU, and stock status.

Katrine Villanueva

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