Shopify import fix

First column ignored after CSV import

Excel writes UTF-8 files with a byte-order mark (EF BB BF) at the start. Shopify reads that as part of the first header name, so Handle becomes a column it does not recognise.

How to fix it

  1. Open the CSV in a text editor that shows hidden characters, or run a one-line check.
  2. Re-save from Excel as 'CSV UTF-8' if available, or strip the BOM after export.
  3. Alternatively, use a converter that writes UTF-8 without a BOM.
  4. Re-import.

How to avoid it next time

Use a tool that writes BOM-free UTF-8, or add a BOM-stripping step to your export.

Check the whole file before you import again

The free Shopify CSV checker names the exact line for each of these problems. The paid Rescue Kit adds 20 more error cases, a template in Shopify's column order, and the checker as a script you can run in a pipeline.

See the Rescue Kit →