Transporter app

This page was printed on Oct 04, 2022. For the current version, visit https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/migrating-to-shopify/transporter-app.

Use theTransporter appto import customer, product, and order records into your Shopify store. This app accepts comma-separated values (CSV) files for each of these record types, processes the records, and then imports them as objects into Shopify.

The Transporter app is part of a suite of tools that makes it easier to migrate online stores from other platforms to Shopify Plus. This suite includes the following tools:

  • You can use theTransporter command line toolto extract and convert records from one platform into CSV files that are supported by the Transporter app. Developers can edit the source files for this tool and convert data from other platforms into CSV files. The command-line tool is an open source Ruby gem that can be downloaded and installed fromgithub.com/Shopify/shopify_transporter.
  • You can use theTransporter appto import product, customer, and order data into Shopify. This app uploads CSV files and is available from theShopify App Store.

CSV sample files and descriptions

To import customers, products, and orders into Shopify, you need a separate CSV file for each record type. You can use the Transportercommand-line toolto generate this CSV file, or you can follow the format in the sample CSV file to create it yourself.

Sample files and descriptions of supported columns are available for each object.

List of sample files and descriptions of supported columns
Sample files Column descriptions
Products.csv Product descriptions
Customers.csv Customer descriptions
Orders.csv Order descriptions

CSV file rules

If you use theTransporter command-line toolto create your CSV files, then your files already conform to the following rules:

  • The name of your CSV file needs to include the name of the object type (products, customers, orders) that it contains. For example, a file that contains the customer records needs to have the word customers in it (for example,mycustomers.csv).
  • The CSV file must use UTF-8 encoding to avoid generating unwanted special characters in your file. If you save your file without using UTF-8 encoding, then your data will be corrupted when you upload it as a new spreadsheet. Shopify can't recover corrupted files for you.

Also, as is true with most CSV files:

  • The first line in the CSV file needs to contain the names of the column headers.
  • The order of the columns is not important, but every row needs to follow the same order of columns.
  • Each column in the file needs to be separated with a comma and each line needs to be separated by a line break.
  • If any value contains special characters, such as a comma (,), a quote ('), or a double quote ("), then you must surround the entire value with double quotes. For example,"Unit 8, 150 Elgin Street"(notUnit 8"," 150 Elgin Street). If you need to use a double quote within this value, then use two double quotes:" ""8th Floor"", 150 Elgin Street".
  • Make sure that you use straight quotes instead of smart quotes (also known as "curly quotes").

If you edit your CSV files or you use another process to create your CSV files, then make sure that your CSV files conform to these rules. If you have trouble working with your CSV files, then try using Google Sheets.

Order your imports

的顺序你进口产品,成本mers, and orders is important. You need to import them in the following order:

  1. Products
  2. Customers
  3. Orders

Run test imports

Before you import a large number of records into Shopify, try importing a few records. Often an iterative approach is needed, such as one that involves importing a small number of records, reviewing their results (in the app and in the admin), correcting the CSV file, and then reimporting the objects. Before you can reimport any objects, you need to delete them from Shopify. You can use the Transporter app to delete the objects by providing a CSV file that lists the objects to be deleted.

Notification emails

When orders are imported into Shopify using the Transporter app:

  • notifications are not sent to your customers.
  • notifications are not sent to your team.

This won't affect the notification settings for new orders placed after the import is complete. If you want, you can disable staff notifications for orders in your Shopify admin.

Steps:

  1. ClickSettings>Notifications.
  2. UnderStaff order notifications, clickDisable.

Import products, customers, and orders

Remember to import products, customers, and then orders.

Steps:

  1. In the Transporter app, make sure thatUpload fileis enabled for theAction.
  2. Enter your CSV file.

After your file has uploaded, the app begins importing your objects.

Delete test products, customers, and orders

You can delete products, customers, and orders in bulk from your Shopify store by using the Transporter app. You can use the same CSV file that you used to import the objects, but this CSV file only needs the column that contains the object's unique key:

Table showing the required unique key columns for specific object types
Object type Required unique key columns
Products (including all associated product variants) Handle
Customers EmailorPhone Number
Orders Name

The Transporter app can only delete objects, not parts of objects. For example, it can delete products (including their associated variants), but it cannot delete individual variants.

Steps:

  1. SelectDelete records from Shopifyfrom theActionsdrop-down.
  2. ClickUpload fileand enter the CSV file.

After the file has uploaded, the Transporter app begins deleting the objects.

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