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How to Import Product Option Values

Updated

This article explains how to use the Product Options Import tool to create, update, and delete Product Option Values (option instances such as Red, Blue, Small, Large) and assign them to products in Pulse Commerce. Product Option Values determine the selectable variations presented on a product page.

Recommended Approach: If you are importing data for the first time, it is recommended to enter the first 10 records using the respective editor in the Admin panel, then export these records and use that export as a guideline when preparing your import file.
Important Prerequisite: Global Product Option Classes (e.g., Color, Size, Material) must be created before importing option values. Option Classes cannot be created via import. Use the admin panel to create Option Classes. For details, see: How to Create Product Options and Matrix Products 
📋 Understanding Product Option Values — When to Use the Import

The Product Options Import is used to manage option values assigned to products. Use this import when you need to:

  • Add new option values (e.g., Red, Green, Large) to products in bulk.
  • Update visibility, surcharge amounts, sort order, or surcharge behavior.
  • Remove option values from products entirely.
  • Maintain consistent option sets across many SKUs efficiently.

This import does not create Option Classes. It only assigns or maintains Option Values belonging to an existing Global Option Class.

Identification & Matching:

  • Product SKU identifies the product receiving the option value.
  • Option Class identifies the type of option (Color, Size, etc.).
  • Description identifies the specific option value (Red, XL, etc.).
  • Updates only occur when all three match exactly: Product SKU + Option Class + Description.
📋 Product Option Values Import — Adding, Updating, or Removing Options

Follow the steps below to import Product Option Values in bulk.

Download the Template and Legend

1 Navigate to Import/Export > Import in the admin panel.

2 Locate the Product Options Import row.

3 Click Download default Template for Product Options Import.

4 Click Legend to download the field definitions document.

Prepare Your Import File

5 Open the Product Options Import CSV template in Excel, Google Sheets, or a text editor.

6 Populate Product Options data according to the legend.

Required Fields:

  • Product SKU Product to which the options are to be added.
  • Option Class Global Product Option Class Name (Example: Color, Size)
  • Description Refers to the actual product option instance (Example: Red, Blue, Large, Small)
  • Action Used to Insert or Update or Delete the product to the storefront. Please specify one of these 3 values: I, U, D
    • If action is 'I', then this Product Option will be added
    • If action is 'U', then this Product Option details will be updated in the database. T
    • If action is 'D', then this Product Option will be deleted

7 Add optional fields as needed (Surcharge,Sort Order & Visible)

optional field "Apply Surcharge To" accepted values are 'Once Per Item' and 'Each Item Quantity'

  • Once Per Item: The surcharge gets applied to the product price once per an item irrespective of the product quantity
  • Each Item Quantity: The surcharge gets applied to each of the product quantity

8 Save your file as CSV format (UTF-8 encoding recommended)

Upload and Process the Import

9 Return to Import/Export → Import → Product Options Import

10 Click Choose File and select your completed CSV

11 Click Submit to begin the import process

12 Review the import log for success confirmation or error messages

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