WHO IT IS FOR
For sellers preparing a Shopify product CSV.
Use it when you are about to import new products, re-import an edited Shopify export, or want a second check before a catalog update. It is designed to catch file and catalog-structure problems without taking control of your business data.
What problem does it solve?
Shopify product CSVs can fail or import incorrectly because of broken structure, inconsistent headers, missing required values, variant relationships, image URL syntax, or formatting mistakes. Merchant CSV Doctor scans those patterns locally before you import.
Before you start
- Use a .csv file saved as UTF-8.
- Keep the original file untouched as a backup.
- Keep complete product groups together when splitting a catalog.
- Files are processed in your browser; the CSV itself is not uploaded to SellerFrog.
STEP BY STEP
How to use Merchant CSV Doctor
Upload your product CSV
Drag the CSV into the upload area or choose it from your device. The tool checks file type, encoding, headers, row structure, and resource limits before scanning the catalog.
Tell the tool what you are preparing
Choose whether you are importing new products or updating existing products. Some checks differ because blank values and omitted columns can behave differently during updates.
Run the scan
The scan reviews CSV structure, common Shopify headers, product and variant dependencies, prices, image URL syntax, SEO lengths, handles, and other import-sensitive fields.
Read the results by severity
Critical means the issue can block or materially damage the import. Warning means the file may still work but deserves review. Info is explanatory and does not reduce the readiness score.
Preview safe fixes before applying them
Safe fixes are limited to formatting and clearly reversible corrections. The tool does not auto-change prices, SKUs, inventory quantities, vendors, tax settings, categories, or variant relationships.
Download the file and report you need
Download the reviewed/fixed CSV for the next step and the error report when you need a separate checklist of unresolved issues. A download can still contain items that require your judgment.
How to interpret the readiness score
The score is a checklist score, not a guarantee that Shopify will accept the file. Store settings, existing products, metafields, fulfillment configuration, and whether image URLs are reachable still need separate review.
What the downloads mean
| Download | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Reviewed / fixed CSV | Your next import candidate. Review unresolved Critical and Warning items before Shopify import. |
| Error report | A separate checklist for issues that need manual correction or business judgment. |
Before importing into Shopify
- Import a small sample first when the catalog is important or unfamiliar.
- Review Shopify’s import preview carefully, especially overwrite behavior for matching handles.
- Confirm public image URLs, store fulfillment settings, metafields, and any store-specific requirements.
Common questions
Does the CSV leave my browser?
No. The product CSV is parsed and processed locally in your browser.
Can the tool safely fix every issue?
No. Business decisions such as prices, SKUs, taxes, inventory, categories, and variant relationships remain under your control.
Does 100 mean guaranteed import success?
No. It means the offline checks covered by this tool found no score-deducting issues.