Import Categories Tool for BigCommerce
🔧 Quick Info: Import Categories lets you create new BigCommerce categories or update existing ones from a CSV or Excel spreadsheet. Rows with a category ID update existing categories, while rows with a blank ID create new categories.
What It Does
Import Categories lets you add new categories or update existing categories in your BigCommerce store by uploading a spreadsheet.
After uploading the file, you map the columns in your spreadsheet to the corresponding BigCommerce category fields. The tool then sends the changes to your store.
How Rows Are Processed: A row containing an ID updates the category with that ID. A row with a blank ID creates a new category.
The import runs as a background job, so you can close the page after starting it. When the import is complete, you’ll receive an email notification.
If any rows cannot be saved, the tool creates an error file showing the failed rows and the reason each one failed.
When Should You Use This?
- You are setting up a new store and want to create many categories at once.
- You need to rename, reorganize, hide, show, or reorder multiple categories.
- You want to update category descriptions, URLs, SEO fields, or search keywords in bulk.
- You exported your category structure, edited it in a spreadsheet, and want to import the changes back into BigCommerce.
- You want to create or update categories without editing them individually in the BigCommerce control panel.
Before You Get Started
- Prepare a CSV or Excel spreadsheet. The first row must contain the column names or headers.
- Include an ID column. Leave the ID blank when creating a new category. Enter the category’s existing BigCommerce ID when updating it.
- Plan the category structure. Use the Parent ID field to place a category beneath another category.
- Leave Parent ID blank for top-level categories. The category will be created at the root of the selected storefront.
- Use delete to clear a field. Enter
deletein an optional field to remove its current value. - Check your store permissions. Your BigCommerce connection must allow category changes.
How to Use It
1 Open the Tool
Open the Import Categories tool from your BigCommerce tools dashboard.
2 Choose the Storefront
If your store has more than one storefront, choose the storefront or category tree where the categories should be created or updated.
3 Upload the Category File
On the Upload Categories step, upload your CSV or Excel file.
The first row of the spreadsheet must contain the column headers. The tool reads those headers so you can map them to BigCommerce category fields.
4 Map the Columns
After the file is read, map each spreadsheet column to the matching BigCommerce category field.
Only mapped columns are processed, so carefully confirm that each source column is connected to the correct field.
5 Confirm Email Delivery
On the Email Delivery step, confirm the email address that should receive the completion notification. Your account email is filled in by default.
6 Start the Import
Start the import. The tool processes the spreadsheet as a background job, so you can close the page while it runs.
7 Review the Results
Watch for the completion email. If every row was processed successfully, no further action is needed.
If some rows failed, download the error file, review the errors column, correct those rows, and import only the corrected records again.
Creating vs. Updating Categories
| ID Value | Result |
|---|---|
| Blank | Creates a new category. |
| Existing Category ID | Updates the BigCommerce category with that ID. |
Avoid Duplicate Categories: A blank ID always creates a new category. Include the correct existing category ID in every row you intend to update.
File and Field Reference
The first row of your spreadsheet must contain headers. During the upload step, map your columns to the category fields below.
All fields are optional, but the ID determines whether the row creates a category or updates an existing one.
| Column | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ID | No | Leave blank to create a new category. Enter an existing category ID to update that category. |
| Parent ID | No | The ID of the parent category. Leave blank to place the category at the root of the selected storefront. |
| Name | No | The category name. |
| URL | No | The category’s web address or path. |
| Description | No | The category description. |
| Page Title | No | The SEO page title assigned to the category. |
| Meta Keywords | No | A comma-separated list of meta keywords. |
| Meta Description | No | The SEO meta description assigned to the category. |
| Search Keywords | No | Keywords used by your store’s internal search. |
| Is Visible | No | Controls whether the category appears on the storefront. Use true or false, or 1 or 0. |
| Default Product Sort | No | The default sorting method used for products displayed in the category. |
| Sort Order | No | A number controlling where the category appears among categories sharing the same parent. |
Clearing Existing Values
Leaving a spreadsheet cell blank does not necessarily remove the current value from an existing category.
To clear an optional field, enter the word:
delete
The tool will remove the current value from that field instead of leaving it unchanged.
Category Images: Category images are not supported by Import Categories. The tool does not currently provide a category image field for mapping or importing.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
My import finished but nothing changed
Confirm that the first row of your file contains column headers and that your spreadsheet columns were mapped to the correct BigCommerce category fields during the upload step.
The import created duplicate categories instead of updating them
Rows without an ID always create new categories. To update an existing category, include its correct BigCommerce category ID in the row and map that column to ID.
Some rows failed
Download the generated error file. It contains the rows that could not be saved and an errors column explaining the problem. Correct those rows and import them again.
How do I empty an existing field?
Enter delete in the spreadsheet cell for that field. The tool will clear the existing value during the import.
Where does the import result go?
The changes are written directly to your BigCommerce store. When the background import is complete, you’ll receive an email notification.