How to fix it
- Open the original export and save it as "CSV UTF-8" (in Excel: File, Save As, CSV UTF-8).
- Or pick the file's real encoding under "Show advanced options", then "Character encoding of the file", on the import screen.
- Avoid opening and re-saving the file in Excel between export and import.
Example
A file with this problem
Type,SKU,Name,Published,Visibility in catalog,Tax status,In stock?,Stock,Regular price,Images,Parent,Attribute 1 name,Attribute 1 value(s... simple,CAFE-1,Café mug,1,visible,taxable,1,5,12.00,,,,,
What the checker says about it
- Some text looks garbled (for example "é" instead of "é"). The file was probably opened and saved in the wrong encoding by a spreadsheet program. WooCommerce will import the garbled text as it is, so fix it before importing.
Once the listed rows are fixed, check the file again; the checker also looks for the other problems in WooCommerce's import code, so you do not trade one error for the next.
Questions
- Why does this happen?
- WooCommerce reads CSV files as UTF-8 unless told otherwise. A file saved in another encoding, often by Excel on Windows, turns letters such as é into symbols like é or a question mark in a box. The text is imported exactly as it was read, so the damage shows in your store.
- How do I fix it?
- Open the original export and save it as "CSV UTF-8" (in Excel: File, Save As, CSV UTF-8). Or pick the file's real encoding under "Show advanced options", then "Character encoding of the file", on the import screen. Avoid opening and re-saving the file in Excel between export and import.
Other WooCommerce import errors
- WooCommerce CSV import: variations or attribute options not showing
- WooCommerce CSV import: wrong prices, or products out of stock
- WooCommerce CSV import: columns show "Do not import" on the mapping screen
- File is empty. Please upload something more substantial.
- A new variation cannot be created because the parent product has no "%s" attribute.
- A new variation cannot be created because "%1$s" is not an option of the parent product's "%2$s" attribute.
- All checks
Sources
- WooCommerce 11.2.2 source: class-wc-product-csv-importer.php: https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/blob/11.2.2/plugins/woocommerce/includes/import/class-wc-product-csv-importer.php
- WooCommerce 11.2.2 source: class-wc-product-csv-importer-controller.php: https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/blob/11.2.2/plugins/woocommerce/includes/admin/importers/class-wc-product-csv-importer-controller.php
Based on WooCommerce 11.2.2's import code and documentation. Not tested on a live store.