Export Complex Rules Tool for BigCommerce
🔧 Quick Info: Export Rules downloads the complex product rules from your BigCommerce store into a CSV or Excel spreadsheet. Export rules for your complete catalog or a filtered group of products, then edit the file and re-import it with Import Rules.
What It Does
Export Rules pulls the complex rules assigned to your BigCommerce products into a spreadsheet. These rules are also commonly referred to as product rules or SKU rules.
BigCommerce uses complex rules to change how a product behaves based on the options, modifiers, or variants selected by the shopper. A rule can adjust the product’s price or weight, disable purchasing for a specific combination, display a purchasing-disabled message, or control other product behavior.
You choose which products to include, enter a filename, and select either CSV or Excel as the file format. The tool then builds the spreadsheet as a background job.
When the export is ready, you’ll receive an email containing a link to download the file.
Ready for Re-Import: The exported spreadsheet uses the same column layout accepted by the Import Rules tool. You can edit the exported file and import it back into BigCommerce to create, update, or delete rules.
When Should You Use This?
- You want a complete view of the price, weight, purchasing, and option rules across your catalog.
- You plan to make bulk changes to product rules in a spreadsheet.
- You need to audit or review the current rules assigned to your products.
- You want to share your product rule setup with a developer, employee, or outside partner.
- You want a backup of your product rules before making changes.
- You need a correctly formatted file to edit and re-import using Import Rules.
Before You Get Started
- Confirm that you are working with the correct connected BigCommerce store.
- Decide whether you want to export rules for your complete catalog or a filtered group of products.
- If filtering, prepare the SKUs, categories, brand, availability, condition, visibility, shipping, or stock information you want to use.
- Choose whether you want the finished file in CSV or Excel format.
- Confirm the email address where the download link should be sent.
How to Use It
1 Open the Tool
Open the Export Rules tool from your BigCommerce tools dashboard.
2 Select the Products
On the Select Products step, leave all filters blank to include every product with rules. To narrow the export, use one or more of the available filters:
- SKU – Enter one SKU or a comma-separated list of SKUs.
- Categories – Choose one or more product categories.
- Brand – Choose a brand.
- Product Availability – Choose Available, Disabled, or Preorder.
- Product Condition – Choose New, Refurbished, or Used.
- Featured Products – Choose Featured or Not Featured.
- Product Visibility – Choose Visible or Not Visible.
- Product Shipping Type – Choose Free Shipping or Paid Shipping.
- Product Stock Status – Choose In Stock or Out of Stock.
[Screenshot: Select Products step showing the available filters]
3 Enter the Filename
On the Export Options step, review or change the filename. A default filename containing the current date is filled in automatically.
4 Choose the File Format
Choose the format for the exported file:
- CSV – A plain spreadsheet file supported by most spreadsheet, database, and import applications.
- Excel – An
.xlsxworkbook that opens directly in Microsoft Excel and compatible spreadsheet applications.
[Screenshot: Export Options step]
5 Confirm Email Delivery
Continue to the Email Delivery step and confirm the email address where the download link should be sent.
6 Start the Export
Start the export. You’ll see a confirmation that the process has begun and that a download link will be emailed when the file is ready.
The export runs as a background job, so you can close the page while it processes.
7 Download the File
When the export is finished, open the email and use the included link to download the completed CSV or Excel file.
Filter Reference
All filters on the Select Products step are optional. Leave them blank to export rules for all matching products.
| Filter | What It Does |
|---|---|
| SKU | Includes one product SKU or a comma-separated list of SKUs. |
| Categories | Limits the export to products assigned to one or more selected categories. |
| Brand | Limits the export to products assigned to one selected brand. |
| Product Availability | Filters products by Available, Disabled, or Preorder status. |
| Product Condition | Filters products by New, Refurbished, or Used condition. |
| Featured Products | Filters products by Featured or Not Featured status. |
| Product Visibility | Filters products by Visible or Not Visible status. |
| Product Shipping Type | Filters products by Free Shipping or Paid Shipping. |
| Product Stock Status | Filters products by In Stock or Out of Stock status. |
File and Field Reference
The exported file uses the same fields expected by Import Rules.
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| sku | The SKU of the product containing the rule. |
| rule_id | The rule’s unique identifier in BigCommerce. |
| rule_type | The type of product rule. |
| sort_order | The order in which the product rules are applied. |
| enabled | Indicates whether the rule is currently active. |
| stop | Indicates whether the rule is configured as a stop rule. |
| delete | A deletion marker used during import. This field is blank in exported files. |
| purchasing_disabled | Indicates whether purchasing is disabled for the matching option or variant combination. |
| purchasing_disabled_message | The message displayed when purchasing is disabled. |
| price_adjuster_adjuster | Controls how the rule adjusts the product price. |
| price_adjuster_adjuster_value | The value of the price adjustment. |
| weight_adjuster_adjuster | Controls how the rule adjusts the product weight. |
| weight_adjuster_adjuster_value | The value of the weight adjustment. |
| modifier_name_1–20 | The modifier or option names that define the rule, such as Size or Color. |
| modifier_value_1–20 | The option values paired with each modifier name, such as Large or Blue. |
| sku_1–20 | The variant SKUs used to define a rule instead of modifier name and value combinations. |
File Format Options
| Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| CSV | A simple and widely compatible format supported by most spreadsheet and import applications. |
| Excel | A native .xlsx workbook for opening and editing directly in Microsoft Excel or a compatible spreadsheet application. |
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Where is my file?
The export runs in the background and does not download directly through the browser. When the file is ready, you’ll receive an email containing a download link.
My export is empty or smaller than expected
Review the filters selected on the Select Products step. SKU, category, brand, availability, condition, visibility, shipping, and stock filters can limit which products are included. Clear or loosen the filters to include more products.
Can I edit this file and import it again?
Yes. The export uses the same column layout accepted by Import Rules. You can edit the file and re-import it to create, update, or delete product rules.
Should I choose CSV or Excel?
Either format works. Choose CSV for the simplest and most widely compatible file, or choose Excel if you prefer a native .xlsx workbook.