How to Bulk Upload Products and Create Variations on Amazon Using Excel (2025 Guide)

Uploading multiple Amazon listings with Excel templates — streamline your catalog with bulk tools and smart variations.

Introduction

If you have multiple products or product variations (like sizes, colors, styles), uploading them one-by-one is time-consuming. Amazon provides powerful bulk upload tools using Excel templates to speed up listing and organize your catalog efficiently.

This guide explains how to:

• Download and use inventory file templates

• Fill out Excel sheets properly

• Upload product data in bulk

• Create parent-child variations (e.g., T-shirt sizes)

• Fix common upload errors

🧾 Step 1: Choose the Right Inventory File Template

Amazon offers category-specific Excel templates for bulk uploads. Each template contains the necessary attributes, including variation themes and required fields.

How to download:

1. Log in to Seller Central

2. Go to: Inventory > Add Products via Upload

3. Select your product category

4. Click "Generate Template"

👉 Example: If you're selling clothing, select Apparel Template.

📑 Step 2: Understand the Template Structure

The Excel sheet typically contains the following tabs:

• Instructions – How to use the file

• Data Definitions – Explanation of each column

• Template – Where you input your product data

The Template tab is the one you’ll edit.

🛒 Step 3: Add Basic Product Information

For each product, fill out the following mandatory fields:

Column	Example
SKU	tshirt-red-s
Product ID (UPC/EAN/GTIN)	123456789012
Product ID Type	1 = UPC
Product Name	Classic Red T-Shirt
Brand Name	YourBrand
Product Description	100% cotton red tee
Product Type	T-Shirt
Manufacturer	YourBrand Ltd.
Price	19.99
Quantity	100
Condition Type	New

🎨 Step 4: Create Product Variations (Parent-Child)

To add variations (size, color, etc.), you must create a parent listing and child listings.

Example: T-shirt in 3 sizes and 2 colors

Parent Listing:

SKU	Parentage	Relationship Type	Variation Theme
tshirt-base	parent	(leave blank)	size-color

Child Listings:

SKU	Parentage	Relationship Type	Variation Theme	Size	Color
tshirt-red-s	child	variation	size-color	Small	Red
tshirt-red-m	child	variation	size-color	Medium	Red
tshirt-blue-s	child	variation	size-color	Small	Blue

✅ Make sure all child SKUs share:

• Same Brand Name

• Same Product Type

• Proper Parent SKU

⬆️ Step 5: Upload Your File

Once the template is filled:

1. Save the file in .txt (tab-delimited) format

2. Go to Inventory > Add Products via Upload > Upload Your Inventory File

3. Select the correct category

4. Upload the file

5. Monitor the Processing Report

   
   

🧩 Step 6: Fix Errors with Processing Report

After upload, Amazon will provide a report showing:

• Successes

• Warnings

• Errors (with reasons)

📌 Tip: Always download and read the Processing Report to correct any problems.

🧠 Best Practices for Excel Uploads

• Always use the latest Amazon templates

• Do not rename column headers

• Match UPCs with correct products

• Avoid duplicates in SKU or Product ID

• Test with 1–2 products before full upload

🤔 When Should You Use Bulk Upload?

✅ Recommended for:

• Sellers with more than 10 SKUs

• Products with multiple variations

• Updating inventory, pricing, or attributes in bulk

• Creating listings across marketplaces (e.g., US, CA, MX)

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