In short. Export products from Products > All Products, choose the columns and product scope, optionally include custom metadata, then select Generate CSV.
Definition: A WooCommerce product CSV export is a downloadable file of product records in comma-separated values format. As of 17 October 2026, the built-in exporter offers column selection, product filters and optional custom metadata, additional product fields stored under keys.
Key facts
- WooCommerce's export instructions provide filters for product type and category.
- The official product CSV schema includes separate columns for short descriptions, full descriptions and prices.
- The CSV format described in RFC 4180 encloses fields containing commas, double quotes or line breaks in double quotes.
How are products and columns selected?
The WooCommerce guide gives this workflow:
- Products > All Products > Export opens the export screen.
- Export all columns is the default; individual columns can be selected.
- Product type and category selectors restrict the export, with all products and categories selected by default.
- Generate CSV starts the export. The browser downloads the completed file.
For individual product selection, the same guide documents selecting products in the product list and clicking Export X selected. The button displays the number selected.
Which columns describe the products?
WooCommerce's CSV schema maps column names to product properties. For example, Short description maps to short_description, while Description maps to description. Sale price and Regular price are separate fields.
A SKU is a stock keeping unit identifier. This header illustrates a subset of the documented columns:
ID,Type,SKU,Name,Short description,Description,Regular price,Sale price,Categories,Images
The schema also includes stock information, shipping dimensions and attributes. Images contains image references, with the featured image first. For variations, Parent identifies the parent product; exports use its SKU when possible.
How is custom metadata included?
The export documentation provides Yes, export all custom meta for metadata from WooCommerce or plugins. Its example maps the key product_depth to this CSV header:
meta:product_depth
For subsequent import, the official schema guidelines support plain-text custom metadata and exclude JSON and serialized data.
How should the CSV be read or edited?
RFC 4180 describes a header containing field names and records containing the same number of fields. Commas separate fields; spaces remain part of their values. A field containing a comma or line break belongs inside double quotes. A double quote within a quoted field is represented by a doubled double quote.
These rules matter for descriptions containing punctuation or multiple paragraphs. A quoted comma remains inside its field, and a quoted line break remains within the same record. The RFC is an informational document describing a common CSV format.
Related terms
- How do I update existing WooCommerce products with a CSV?
- How do I map CSV columns in WooCommerce's product importer?
- How do I import WooCommerce product variations by CSV?
FAQ
Can I export only selected products?
Yes. WooCommerce's guide documents selecting products under Products > All Products, then choosing Export X selected.
Which encoding should I use when saving edits?
The WooCommerce schema specifies UTF-8 for CSV files and the store's local timezone for dates.
Sources
- WooCommerce, "Product CSV Importer and Exporter", accessed 17 October 2026
- WooCommerce, "Product CSV Import Schema", accessed 17 October 2026
- RFC Editor, "Common Format and MIME Type for Comma-Separated Values (CSV) Files", October 2005
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