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# How to fill in the Collection Template

# **How to Fill in the Collection Template**
## **1. Overview**
The **Collection Feed** allows you to create and manage Shopify collections in bulk using BulkFlow. Instead of manually creating collections one by one in Shopify, you can prepare a spreadsheet file and import multiple collections at once.
A collection is a group of products displayed together on your storefront. Using Collection Feed, you can create new collections, assign products to collections manually, or set up **Smart Collections** using rules that automatically include or exclude products. You can also configure SEO information and import collection metafields in a single process.

## **2. Requirements**
Before creating a Collection Feed, make sure that:
* Your Shopify store is connected to BulkFlow.
* The products referenced in the collection already exist in Shopify.
* You have prepared your collection data using the Collection Template.

## **3. Download the Collection Template**
### **Option 1: Download from the Dashboard**
1. From your **BulkFlow Dashboard**, click **Download Template**.
2. Select **Collection**.
3. The template file will be downloaded to your device.
### **Option 2: Use Your Existing Spreadsheet**
You may also use your own spreadsheet as long as the column names match the Collection Template format.

## **4. Fill in Required Fields**
The following fields are required to create a collection successfully:
| **Column** | **Description** | **Example** |
| Handle | Unique identifier of the collection | our-favorites |
| Title | Collection name displayed in Shopify | Our Favorites |
| Sort Order | Product sorting method within the collection | MANUAL |
| Published | Collection visibility status | TRUE |
| Published Scope | Publication scope | global |
| Product: Handle | Product handle to assign to the collection | bee-bread-250g |
| Product: Position | Product display position within the collection | 1 |
| Meta Title | SEO title | Best Honey Products |
| Meta Description | SEO description | Premium honey collection |

### **Example**
| **Handle** | **Title** | **Product: Handle** | **Product: Position** |
| our-favorites | Our Favorites | bee-bread-250g,natural-honey | 1,2 |

In this example, BulkFlow will create a collection named **Our Favorites** and assign two products to it — both handles are listed in the same cell, separated by a comma.

## **5. Optional Fields**
The following fields are optional and may be left blank if you do not need them:
| **Column** | **Description** |
| ID | The Shopify Collection ID. Leave blank when creating new collections with an Import feed — Shopify will generate the ID automatically. Required when using an **Update** feed, to match the existing collection you want to update. |
| Body HTML | Collection description |
| Template Suffix | Custom Shopify template |
| Image Src | Collection image URL |
| Image Alt Text | Alternative text for the collection image |
| Product: ID | Product ID (can be used instead of Product Handle) |
| Metafield: namespace.key | Collection metafield value (add this column yourself if you need to import metafields — see FAQ below) |

## **6. Creating Smart Collections with Rules**
Instead of manually assigning products, you can create a **Smart Collection** that automatically includes products matching one or more rules. To do this, use the following columns:
| **Column** | **Description** | **Example** |
| Rule: Product Column | The product field to check (e.g., Tag, Type, Vendor) | Tag |
| Rule: Relation | How the value should be compared | Equals |
| Rule: Condition | The value to match | Sample\_Tag\_One |
| Rule: Exclude | Whether this rule excludes matching products instead of including them | false |
| Must Match | Whether products must match **any** or **all** of the listed rules to be included | any condition |

### **Understanding Rule: Exclude**
`Rule: Exclude` is not the same as an "is not equal to" condition. It's a separate rule that removes specific products from the collection without changing their tags or any other product data.
For example, you can set up a collection to include every product tagged "new," then add a second rule to exclude a handful of specific products from that collection — without removing the "new" tag from those products.
### **Using Multiple Rules for One Collection**
If a collection needs more than one rule (for example, one rule to include products and another to exclude some of them), add **one row per rule**, using the same **Handle** on every row so BulkFlow knows they belong to the same collection.
Fields that describe the collection itself — such as Title, Body HTML, Meta Title, and Meta Description — only need to be filled in on the first row. You can leave them blank on the additional rule rows.
### **Example**
| **Handle** | **Rule: Product Column** | **Rule: Relation** | **Rule: Condition** | **Rule: Exclude** |
| sample-collection-two | Type | Equals | Sample\_Type | false |
| sample-collection-two | Tag | Equals | Excluded\_Tag | true |

In this example, BulkFlow creates a Smart Collection that includes every product where Type equals "Sample\_Type," except any product tagged "Excluded\_Tag."
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/7/5/a/d75a04e726ca2800/image_1sjgnbq.png)


## **7. Field Details**
### **Handle**
The unique identifier of the collection.
#### **Accepted Values**
our-favorites
summer-sale
new-arrivals

#### **Notes**
* Must be unique.
* Should not contain spaces.
* Used to generate the collection URL.
* When adding multiple rule rows for the same Smart Collection, use the same Handle on every row.
Example:
Handle: summer-sale

Results in:
/collections/summer-sale

### **Title**
The display name of the collection.
Example:
Summer Sale

### **Sort Order**
Determines how products are displayed within the collection.
Common value:
MANUAL

### **Published**
Determines whether the collection is visible on the storefront.
Accepted values:
TRUE
FALSE

### **Product: Handle**
Specifies which products should belong to the collection. To assign multiple products, list all their handles in the **same cell**, separated by commas.
Example:
bee-bread-250g,natural-honey

### **Product: Position**
Determines the display order of products within the collection. When assigning multiple products in one cell, list their positions in the same cell, in the same order, separated by commas.
Example:
1,2

## **8. Import the Collection Feed**
Once the file is ready:
1. From your BulkFlow Dashboard, click directly on the **Import** button.
2. Select **Collection** as the entity type.
3. Upload your file.
4. Map the fields if necessary.
5. Click **Demo** to preview the result on a small sample first, or click **Full** to process the entire feed right away.
6. Review the result.
After the import is completed, the collections will appear in:
Shopify Admin
→ Products
→ Collections

## **9. Common Errors**
### **Collection Already Exists**
This usually occurs when another collection already uses the same handle.
Solution:
* Use a different handle.
* Use an Update Feed instead of an Import Feed.

### **Product Not Found**
BulkFlow cannot locate the product referenced in the **Product: Handle** field.
Solution:
* Verify that the product already exists in Shopify.
* Check that the product handle is correct.

### **Invalid Image URL**
The URL provided in **Image Src** is not accessible.
Solution:
* Make sure the image URL is public and accessible.

## **10. Frequently Asked Questions**
### **Can I create a collection without assigning products?**
Yes. You may leave the product-related fields empty and add products later in Shopify.
### **Can I assign multiple products to the same collection?**
Yes. Add all product handles into a single **Product: Handle** cell, separated by commas (e.g., `bee-bread-250g,natural-honey`). If you want to control their display order, list the matching positions in the same order in **Product: Position** (e.g., `1,2`).
### **Can I import collection images?**
Yes. Use the **Image Src** column and provide a publicly accessible image URL.
### **Can I import collection metafields?**
Yes. Collection metafields can be imported using columns following the format:
Metafield: namespace.key

For example:
Metafield: custom.test

### **Can I create a Smart Collection instead of manually assigning products?**
Yes. Use the Rule: Product Column, Rule: Relation, Rule: Condition, Rule: Exclude, and Must Match columns to set up rules that automatically include or exclude products. See section 6 above for details.
### **Can I update existing collections?**
Yes. Use a Collection Update Feed to modify existing collection information instead of creating new collections. When updating, include the collection's **ID** to make sure BulkFlow matches the correct collection.