Ecommerce · inventory operations
Inventory CSV changes, made visible.
Validate a Shopify inventory CSV, then compare it with the untouched export to see exactly what will change. Both files stay in this browser tab.
Checks both Shopify formats: All states (recommended, with safety validation) and Available (location columns). Quantities must be whole numbers, 0, negative whole numbers, not stocked, or blank.
Local CSV files
Preflight result
Choose the edited CSV. Add its original export to see exactly what changed.
What is checked
| Area | Check |
|---|---|
| Format | Recognises All states and Available exports; checks CSV quoting and row width. |
| Required identity | All states files need Handle, Location, and Option 1 Value to identify a variant and location. |
| Quantity | Whole numbers only, including negative numbers and 0; not stocked and blank are accepted where Shopify documents them. |
| Safety validation | When an original export is supplied, changes to On hand (current) and other read-only inventory-state columns are errors. Export fresh data instead of overwriting the snapshot. |
| Packed dimensions | All four packed columns must be filled or all blank. Dimensions are positive numbers, unit is cm or in, and every location/bin row for a variant must agree. |
| Diff | Lists changed quantity and metadata cells, added rows, and rows omitted from the edited file. |
Shopify recommends the All states export because On hand (current) acts as a safety snapshot. If live inventory changes after export, Shopify rejects affected rows rather than silently overwriting the newer count. Clearing that snapshot bypasses the protection and should be reserved for emergencies.
Official source: Shopify Help: Exporting and importing inventory with a CSV file. Shopify states the inventory CSV cannot exceed 15 MB.
Private by design
The files are read and compared locally. Nothing is uploaded, stored, logged, or sent to Shopify. Always review Shopify’s own import summary before starting the import.