Bulk add digital products & files

Filemonk's CSV bulk import feature allows you to quickly set up multiple digital products and link files to your Shopify products at once. This is perfect for migrating from another app or when you have many digital products to configure. The system processes your CSV file and automatically creates the necessary connections between your digital assets and Shopify products

Before You Start

Before importing your CSV, you need to prepare your digital files and understand your Shopify product structure.

Upload Your Digital Files First

• Navigate to Content Library from the left menu bar
• Click Upload Files on the top right of the page
• Upload all the digital files you want to link to products
• Make note of the exact filenames as they appear in Filemonk

Understand Your Product Structure

• Identify whether you want to link files to entire products or specific variants
• Collect the SKUs or variant IDs for the products you want to link
• Decide if you need custom product configurations for any items

Setting Up Your CSV Import

The CSV import process uses a structured template with specific columns that control how your digital assets are linked to Shopify products.

Access the Import Feature

1. Go to Digital Products from the left menu bar
2. Click Import in Bulk on the top right

3. You'll see the import instructions and upload area

Download the Import Template

• Copy or download the Filemonk Import Template from the provided Google Sheets link
• The template includes detailed instructions and examples for each column
• Follow the template structure exactly to ensure successful import

CSV Column Structure

Your CSV file must contain exactly 6 columns in the specified order. Each column controls different aspects of how your digital assets are linked to products.

Column 1: Filename

• Required for internal files: The exact filename as it appears in your Content Library
• Must include file extension: e.g., artwork-prime.jpg, goodbook.pdf
• Leave blank for external URLs: When using external URLs, this field can be empty
• Leave blank for custom products: When creating custom product configurations

Column 2: Variant SKU or ID

• Always required: Cannot be blank
• Two data types supported:
• SKU: The product variant's SKU as set in Shopify
• Variant ID: The numeric Shopify variant ID
• Examples: BOOK-001, 12345678901234

Column 3: Data Type

• Required: Specifies how to interpret Column 2
• Valid values:
• sku - When Column 2 contains a product SKU
• variant_id - When Column 2 contains a Shopify variant ID

Column 4: Link to Product

• Controls whether to link to the entire product or specific variant
• Valid values:
• yes - Link to the entire product (all variants get access)
• no - Link to the specific variant only

Tip: Use "yes" when you want all variants of a product to have access to the same digital files.

Column 5: External URL

• Optional: Use when linking to files hosted outside Filemonk
• Must be valid HTTP/HTTPS URL: e.g., https://drive.google.com/file/d/abc123
• Leave blank for internal files: When using files from Content Library

Column 6: Custom Product

• Optional: Creates custom product configurations
• Valid values:
• yes - Create a custom product setup
• no - Use standard file linking
• Leave blank - Defaults to standard linking

Import Process and What Gets Linked

Understanding how Filemonk processes your CSV helps you prepare the right data and troubleshoot any issues.

How the Import Works

1. Upload and Validation: Your CSV is validated for correct format and data
2. Row Processing: Each row is processed individually in the background
3. Asset Linking: Files or URLs are connected to the specified products/variants
4. Email Notification: You receive a status report when processing completes

Processing Time

• Small imports (under 50 rows): Usually complete within a few minutes
• Large imports (hundreds of rows): May take 15-30 minutes to fully process
• Status tracking: Monitor progress in the Recent Imports section
• Email updates: Automatic notification when processing finishes

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your import fails or produces unexpected results, check these common issues and solutions.

Advanced Tips

These tips help you get the most out of the CSV import feature and handle complex scenarios.

• Test with small batches: Import 5-10 rows first to verify your CSV format
• Use consistent naming: Keep filenames and SKUs organized for easier management
• Backup your data: Export existing product configurations before large imports
• Monitor email notifications: Check spam folder for import completion emails
• Verify after import: Spot-check a few products to ensure files linked correctly
• Handle duplicates: Re-importing the same data will update existing links, not create duplicates

FAQs

Q: Can I update existing product links with a new CSV import?

A: Yes, re-importing will update existing links rather than creating duplicates.

Q: What happens if a file referenced in my CSV doesn't exist?

A: The import will fail for that row with a "File not found" error message.

Q: Can I mix internal files and external URLs in the same import?

A: Yes, use different rows for each type and fill the appropriate columns.

Q: How do I know which products were successfully linked?

A: Check the status report email or view individual products in the Digital Products section.

Q: Can I import files for products that don't exist in Shopify yet?

A: No, the products and variants must already exist in your Shopify store before importing.

Q: What file types are supported for internal files?

A: All file types supported by Filemonk's Content Library can be imported via CSV.

Q: Can I delete or modify links after importing?

A: Yes, use the Digital Products interface to manage individual product configurations after import.

Q: How long are the import status reports kept?

A: Recent imports are shown for the last 30 days in the import interface.

Updated on: 19/07/2025