--- title: "Import stores from a CSV file" description: "Add or update many stores at once by uploading a CSV file, and check the import log for any rows that need fixing." product: "Shoppy Store Locator" section: "Importing and syncing" url: https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/importing-and-syncing/import-stores-from-a-csv-file markdown_url: https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/importing-and-syncing/import-stores-from-a-csv-file.md last_updated: 2026-11-05 tags: ["import", "csv", "spreadsheet", "bulk", "update stores", "import log"] --- # Import stores from a CSV file > Add or update many stores at once by uploading a CSV file, and check the import log for any rows that need fixing. A CSV file is the quickest way to add many stores at once, or to update many stores you already have. You fill in a spreadsheet with one store per row, save it as CSV, and upload it. This guide covers: 1. [Get the sample file](#get-the-sample-file) 2. [Fill in the file](#fill-in-the-file) 3. [Upload the file](#upload-the-file) 4. [Check the import log](#check-the-import-log) 5. [Update stores you already have](#update-stores-you-already-have) ## Get the sample file 1. Go to **Stores**. 2. Click **Import** › **From CSV file**. 3. Click **Download Sample CSV**. ![The Import from CSV page, with the Download Sample CSV button, the CSV File drop zone, Upload and Clear buttons, and the Import Logs card](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/_astro/01-import-csv.8kyRmVNp_Z1dMir3.webp) The sample has the right column headers and two example stores. Replace the examples with your own stores. To update stores you already have, start from an export instead, so each store already has its `StoreId`. See [Export stores to CSV](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/importing-and-syncing/export-stores-to-csv.md). ## Fill in the file Keep the header row exactly as it is in the sample. One row is one store. | Column | Required | What to enter | | ------------------ | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `StoreName` | Yes | The store name, for example `Urban Stitch Perth`. | | `StoreId` | No | Leave empty to add a new store. Enter a store's ID to update that store. See [Update stores you already have](#update-stores-you-already-have). | | `Handle` | No | A short name for the store's web address, such as `urban-stitch-perth`. Leave empty to make one from the store name. | | `Address` | Yes | The street address, for example `140 Murray Street`. | | `City` | Yes | The city or suburb. | | `State` | Yes | The state or province. | | `Country` | Yes | The country. | | `Zip` | Yes | The postcode. | | `PhoneNumber` | No | The full phone number, ideally with the country code, for example `+61855500102`. | | `Email` | No | The store's email address. It must be a valid email address. | | `ShortDescription` | No | One or two lines shown in the store list. | | `Description` | No | A longer description for the store's page. | | `Status` | Yes | `active` to show the store, or `inactive` to hide it. Use lowercase. | | `Tags` | No | Tags separated by commas, for example `Outlet,Service centre`. | Good to know: - **You don't need map coordinates.** The app finds each store's pin from its address. Check the address is complete and correct. - **Trading hours aren't in the file.** New stores get your default trading hours from **Settings**. Set special hours on each store afterwards, or use [Bulk edit hours](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/managing-stores/trading-hours-and-special-dates.md#update-hours-for-many-stores). - **Photos, social links, and labels aren't in the file.** Add them on each store. - When you save, choose **CSV (comma separated)**. Excel (`.xlsx`) and Numbers files can't be uploaded. ## Upload the file 1. Go to **Stores** › **Import** › **From CSV file**. 2. Drag your file into the **CSV File** box, or click **Add file**. 3. Check the file name, then click **Upload**. Files must be `.csv` and no bigger than 1 MB. For a very large list, split it into several files. The import runs in the background, so you can leave the page. When it's done, your stores appear on the **Stores** page. The app places each store on the map as it imports it, so a large file can take a few minutes. ## Check the import log Each import adds a log to **Import Logs** on the same page. Click **Download** to open it. The log shows: - **Validation errors**: rows that were skipped, with the row number and what's wrong, for example `Status must be 'active' or 'inactive'` or `Invalid email format`. Row 2 is the first store under the header row. - **Summary**: how many stores were **Created**, **Updated**, **Failed**, and **Skipped**. Rows with errors are skipped, but the rest of the file is still imported. Fix the rows the log lists, then upload a file with just those rows. After an import, check the **Not on map** tab on the **Stores** page. A store lands there if the app couldn't find its address. See [Fix stores missing from the map](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/managing-stores/fix-stores-missing-from-the-map.md). ## Update stores you already have To update stores instead of adding new ones, each row needs the store's `StoreId`. 1. [Export your stores](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/importing-and-syncing/export-stores-to-csv.md). The export has every store's `StoreId`. 2. Change the details you need in the file. Delete the rows you don't want to change. 3. Upload the file. Before you upload an update, keep these in mind: - **Every column is applied as it is in the file.** If you leave `Email`, `PhoneNumber`, `ShortDescription`, `Description`, or `Tags` empty, that detail is cleared on the store. Starting from an export keeps everything that's already there. - **Trading hours, special dates, and photos aren't changed** by an import. - If you leave `Handle` empty, the store keeps its current handle. - A row with a `StoreId` that doesn't match one of your stores is skipped. - A row without a `StoreId` always creates a new store, even if a store with the same name exists. Leave out stores you already have, or you'll get duplicates. You can also find a store's ID as **Store code** at the bottom of the store's page in the app. ## Related guides - [Export stores to CSV](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/importing-and-syncing/export-stores-to-csv.md) - [Fix stores missing from the map](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/managing-stores/fix-stores-missing-from-the-map.md) - [Google Sheets](https://help.shoppyconnect.com/store-locator/importing-and-syncing/google-sheets.md)