Yes, it is possible to update your listing variations directly from a CSV file. You can add new variations and delete existing ones in the same import. This guide walks you through both. To edit variations in the listing editor instead, see Edit eBay Variations: Bulk Price, Inventory, Add and Delete. New variations must use the options the listing already has, such as Color or Size. A CSV import can’t add a new option.
CSV Format Overview
Here is a quick overview of how your CSV rows should look. Every row must have the same number of columns, and the DeleteVariation column should always be included once you start using it.
SKU | Parent SKU | Price | C:Color | DeleteVariation |
ITM001 | (empty) | (empty) | (empty) | (empty) |
variation-sku-1 | ITM001 | 189 | Blue | (empty) |
variation-sku-4 | ITM001 | 434 | Grey | true |
variation-sku-5 | ITM001 | 199 | Yellow | (empty) |
Red row = variation to be deleted. Green row = new variation being added. White/grey rows = no changes.
How to Delete a Variation
To remove a variation from your listing, you need to add a DeleteVariation column to your CSV file and mark the row you want to remove.
Steps:
Open your CSV file.
Add a new column at the end called DeleteVariation.
On the row of the variation you want to delete, set the value to true.
Leave the DeleteVariation cell blank on all other rows.
Example: If your listing has Blue, Red, and Grey variations and you want to remove Grey, find the row with the Grey variation SKU and set DeleteVariation to true. Blue and Red rows stay unchanged.
How to Add a New Variation
To add a new variation, simply add a new row to the CSV with all the required information for that variation.
Each new variation row must include:
SKU (a unique identifier for this variation)
Parent SKU (the SKU of the main listing this variation belongs to)
Price
Warehouse Quantity
A value in every option column of the listing (one C: column per option, for example C:Color and C:Size), plus any variation images
Example: To add a Yellow variation to an existing listing, add a new row with a new SKU (e.g. variation-sku-5), the Parent SKU of the listing, the price, quantity, Color set to Yellow, and a product image URL.
In the CSV Mapping step, turn on Update Variations by SKU and set the parent column to your Parent SKU column. If the parent column is set to SKU, every row is treated as a separate listing: the import finishes with no errors, but nothing on the listing changes.
Can I add a new option (dropdown) with a CSV import?
No. A 3Dsellers CSV import can add new variations to an eBay listing, but it cannot add a new option. Options are the dropdowns buyers choose from, such as Color or Size, and every variation of a listing has the same ones. Your CSV must have exactly one C: column for each option the listing already has, no more and no fewer.
Example: a listing with the options Color and Size needs the columns C:Color and C:Size. If the file also has a C:Material column, eBay rejects the whole update, including price and quantity changes on the existing variations. If your file has extra columns such as Material, set them to Don't import in the CSV Mapping step instead of mapping them to a C: column.
New values are fine. You can add a variation with a new Size, such as XXL, as long as the row has a value in every option column of the listing.
If you need a new choice for buyers:
Add it as a value of an existing option. For example, on a leaflet listing with a Size option, add sizes such as "A5 250gsm" next to "A5".
Or create a separate listing for the new range.
Doing Both in the Same Import
You can add and delete variations in the same CSV file. Just make sure:
The parent listing row (e.g. ITM001) is always included.
Rows you want to keep are included as-is with no value in DeleteVariation.
Rows you want to delete have DeleteVariation set to true.
New rows are added at the bottom with all required fields filled in.
Tip: A template file is attached to this article. It shows a real example with a deletion (highlighted in red) and a new variation being added (highlighted in green). Use it as a reference when building your own import file.
Why does my import say "The listing has no variation with SKU"?
This message means the row has a SKU that is not on the listing yet and no option values, so 3Dsellers could not add it as a new variation. Fill in every C: option column on that row and import the file again. Also check that the parent column in the CSV Mapping step is your Parent SKU column.
Why did my import finish with no errors but the listing didn't change?
Check the CSV Mapping step. If the parent column is set to SKU instead of your Parent SKU column, each row is treated as a separate listing and the variations are not updated. Select your Parent SKU column and import again.