WooCommerce CSV import not working: the usual causes and fixes
The WooCommerce product importer is more forgiving than Shopify's, but it fails in its own way: the file opens, columns map to the wrong fields, prices import as text, categories disappear, and the products arrive half-filled.
Most of these failures are format problems, not data problems. Fix the format first and the mapping becomes obvious.
Check your file before you import it
Free preflight and fixes in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
The format problems behind most failed imports
Check these four before blaming the importer:
- Delimiter: European Excel exports use semicolons (;), while the importer expects commas. The file then lands as one single column.
- Decimal separator: prices like 19,99 with a comma become text. WooCommerce expects 19.99, with the dot.
- Encoding: files saved in Windows-1252 show accents as è or é and can corrupt product names on import.
- Quoting: multi-line descriptions and fields containing the delimiter must be quoted consistently; hand-edited files often break this.
Column mapping is where the rest dies
The importer asks you to map each CSV column to a product field. If the header row is dirty — extra spaces, duplicate names, an empty first column — the mapping screen pairs the wrong fields and you import a catalog with prices inside the description.
Before mapping, clean the headers and confirm required fields: Name, Regular price, SKU when you use it, Categories, Images. Prices and stock must be numbers, not text.
Prepare the file in the browser, then import
BeforeImport has a WooCommerce preset: it detects the delimiter and encoding, normalizes prices and stock, flags duplicate SKUs, validates the Type and Published values, and exports a file with clean headers and consistent quoting.
Everything runs locally — useful when the file contains supplier costs or customer data.
- Drop the export into the tool and read the preflight errors.
- Apply fixes with preview, then export CSV with comma delimiter.
- Map the columns in WooCommerce and run the import.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the WooCommerce importer see only one column?
The file uses a different delimiter than the one selected in the import screen. European Excel saves with semicolons; either switch the delimiter in the tool or re-export with commas.
Why do my prices import as text?
They use a comma as decimal separator (19,99). WooCommerce expects a dot (19.99). Normalizing the column before import fixes it everywhere at once.
Can I import variable products from CSV?
Yes, but parent and variation rows must be structured correctly (same SKU structure WooCommerce expects). Validate the Type column and the parent references before importing.
Does the tool upload my file to a server?
No. Parsing, cleaning and export happen entirely in your browser; the file never leaves your device.
Related guides
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