On the parent row, list every attribute with all its values, such as Attribute 1 name Size and Attribute 1 value(s) "S, M, L". On each variation row, use the same attribute name and exactly one value. Set the parent's Type to variable, and put the parent row above its variation rows.

WooCommerce CSV import: variations or attribute options not showing

What it means: A variation only works when its parent row carries the same attribute. If a variation says "Colour: Red" but the parent has no Colour attribute, WooCommerce drops the attribute from the variation, which then matches any choice. A variation can also take only one value per attribute: "S, M" keeps only S. And the parent must have Type variable and sit above its variations: a variation listed before its parent loses its attributes.

Find the rows in your file

WooCommerce product import

Choose file

The product CSV you are about to import into WooCommerce (Products, Import), or the one that just failed.

Your file stays on this device

It is read and converted by this page, inside your browser. Nothing from the file is uploaded, and the tool keeps working offline once the page has loaded.

No file handy? or download the sample to look at it first.

The products in the sample are invented. It is checked on this device, the same way your own file would be.

Loading the converter...

How to fix it

On the parent row, list every attribute with all its values, such as Attribute 1 name Size and Attribute 1 value(s) "S, M, L".
On each variation row, use the same attribute name and exactly one value.
Set the parent's Type to variable, and put the parent row above its variation rows.

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...
variable,TEE,Tee,1,visible,taxable,1,,,,,Size,"S, M",0
variation,TEE-S,Tee S,1,visible,taxable,1,3,20.00,,TEE,Colour,Red,0
variation,TEE-M,Tee M,1,visible,taxable,1,3,20.00,,TEE,Size,"M, L",0

What the checker says about it

Line 3: "Tee S": the attribute "Colour" is not on the parent "TEE" (line 2). WooCommerce drops it from the variation, which then matches any value. Add "Colour" with all its values to the parent row.
Line 4: "Tee M": the variation has 2 values for "Size" (M, L). A variation takes one value per attribute; WooCommerce keeps only the first, "M". Make one variation row per value.

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?: A variation only works when its parent row carries the same attribute. If a variation says "Colour: Red" but the parent has no Colour attribute, WooCommerce drops the attribute from the variation, which then matches any choice. A variation can also take only one value per attribute: "S, M" keeps only S. And the parent must have Type variable and sit above its variations: a variation listed before its parent loses its attributes.
How do I fix it?: On the parent row, list every attribute with all its values, such as Attribute 1 name Size and Attribute 1 value(s) "S, M, L". On each variation row, use the same attribute name and exactly one value. Set the parent's Type to variable, and put the parent row above its variation rows.

Other WooCommerce import errors

Sources

WooCommerce 11.2.2 source: abstract-wc-product-importer.php: https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/blob/11.2.2/plugins/woocommerce/includes/import/abstract-wc-product-importer.php
WooCommerce: Product CSV Importer and Exporter: https://woocommerce.com/document/product-csv-importer-exporter/

Based on WooCommerce 11.2.2's import code and documentation. Not tested on a live store.