General Features
What are the differences between Altera and Matrixify?
Both Altera and Matrixify are Shopify apps for importing and exporting data via spreadsheets. Altera offers additional data types (like Catalogs and Metafield Definitions), enhanced features such as running multiple jobs simultaneously and automatic data transformations, plus support for additional fields like customer store credit and payment terms.
For a complete comparison, read our differences between Altera and Matrixify article.
What types of data can I import and export?
Altera supports importing and exporting:
Products (including variants, images, metafields, and SEO data)
Collections (both smart and manual collections)
Customers (contact information, addresses, and customer metafields)
Orders (order details, line items, and fulfillment information)
Discounts (automatic and code-based discount rules)
Articles (blog posts and content)
Catalogs (product catalogs and organization)
Companies (B2B company information, importing under development)
Draft Orders (incomplete orders and quotes)
Files (media files and documents)
Menus (navigation menus and structure)
Metaobjects (custom data structures and content)
Pages (store pages and static content)
Redirects (URL redirections and SEO management)
Shop (store settings and configuration)
Metafield Definitions (custom field schemas and definitions)
Metaobject Definitions (custom object types)
Export-only data types:
Events (store activity and audit logs)
Payouts (payment settlement information)
What file formats does Altera support?
Altera works with:
Excel files (.xlsx, .xls)
CSV files (.csv)
Google Sheets (via URL import/export)
Can I import data from other platforms like WooCommerce?
Yes! Altera can import data from any platform as long as you can export it to a supported spreadsheet format. You may need to adjust column headers to match Shopify's requirements, but the app provides guidance during the upload process. Additionally, we are developing an API connector with WooCommerce to avoid the need to reformat a spreadsheet.
Is Altera a "Built for Shopify" app?
Yes - Altera is "Built for Shopify". We meet Shopify’s app quality standards for usability, performance, and security. You’ll see the Built for Shopify badge on our Shopify App Store listing and within the app. For you, this means a faster, more reliable, and secure experience that feels native to Shopify. We proactively track API changes to keep your workflows stable.
Import Questions
How do I know if my import was successful?
After each import, Altera provides a detailed results file that shows:
Import Result column indicating success or failure for each row
Import Comment column with specific error messages if something went wrong
ID (Ref) and Handle (Ref) columns showing the Shopify IDs for successfully created items
What happens if my import fails partway through?
Altera processes imports row by row, so if some rows fail, the successful ones remain in your store. You can download the results file to see exactly which items failed and why, then fix the issues and re-import just the failed rows.
Can I update existing products with an import?
Yes! If your spreadsheet includes a Handle or ID column with existing product identifiers, Altera will update those products instead of creating new ones. This is perfect for bulk price updates or inventory adjustments.
How large can my import files be?
Altera can handle files with thousands of rows. For very large imports the process may take a while but you can monitor progress in real-time on the job detail screen. Currently file uploads are capped at 250mb but contact us if you need to import larger files.
Export Questions
How often can I export my data?
You can export data as often as needed - there are no limits on export frequency. Each export captures your current store data at the time you run it.
Can I schedule automatic exports?
Scheduled/repeating exports are currently in development and will be available soon. This feature will allow you to automatically export data daily, weekly, or monthly.
What is URL visibility on the export screen?
When Altera creates an export, it stores the output file at a secure URL. By default, this URL is private - even if someone knows the exact URL, they won't be able to download your data without proper authentication.
However, there are situations where you might want to make the export URL publicly accessible. For example:
Google Sheets integration: If you want to import the exported data directly into Google Sheets using a URL
Third-party integrations: When connecting exported data to other tools or services
Scheduled access: For automated systems that need to fetch the exported data
Important security notes:
Even when URLs are made visible, they use complex, randomly generated identifiers that are extremely difficult to guess
A typical visible URL looks like:
https://files.getaltera.com/output/69473829050/10/10a1e1a6-5eb9-4b84-bce4-4dd408b5ffe4/Shop_Export_2025-06-28_053544.xlsxThis feature will be most useful when combined with the upcoming scheduled exports feature
For most users, keeping URLs private (the default setting) is recommended unless you specifically need external access to the export files.
Can I export only specific products or customers?
Yes! When setting up an export, you can apply filters to export only the data you need. For example, you can export only products from a specific vendor, customers from a certain location, or orders from a particular date range.
Can I change the format of my exported spreadsheet?
Yes! Altera offers Data Transformations (currently in early access) that allows you to automatically restructure your exported spreadsheets. Contact support to request access and we'll enable it for your account. With data transformations, you can:
Rename columns to match your preferred naming conventions
Reorder columns to arrange data in your desired sequence
Extract data from one column into separate columns (e.g., extract a specific custom attribute)
Combine columns to merge related data
Create calculated fields from existing data
To get started with data transformations:
Contact our support team to discuss your transformation needs
Provide examples of your desired output format
Our team will create custom transformation recipes for your use cases
Once configured, you'll see transformation options at the bottom of your export configuration page
Troubleshooting
Why are some of my products not importing?
Common reasons include:
Missing required fields: Products need at least a Title to be created
Invalid data formats: Check that prices are numbers, dates are properly formatted, etc.
Duplicate handles: Product handles must be unique across your store
Character limits: Ensure descriptions and titles don't exceed Shopify's limits
The results file will show specific error messages for each failed import.
My import is taking a long time. Is something wrong?
Large imports naturally take time to process. Altera shows real-time progress, so you can see items being processed. If an import appears stuck without progress for more than 10 minutes, contact support.
Why is my job stuck in the "pending" state?
If your job appears to be stuck in the pending state, this is likely a temporary issue due to a high volume of jobs being processed simultaneously. Jobs are processed in the order they are received, so during busy periods, there may be a queue of jobs waiting to start.
This is normal behavior and your job will begin processing once the jobs ahead of it in the queue are completed. Please be patient - your job should start and complete successfully without any action needed on your part.
Why is my job showing an 'error' status?
First of all, we're sorry the didn't complete successfully. If your job shows an 'error' status, it means something unexpected prevented the job from completing successfully. This can happen for several reasons:
Data formatting issues: Unexpected formatting in your spreadsheet that doesn't match the expected structure
Shopify API problems: Temporary issues with Shopify's API that prevent data from being processed
System errors: Technical issues on our end that interrupt the processing
When a job shows an 'error' status, please try the following steps:
Check your data formatting: Review your spreadsheet to ensure all data follows the correct format and required fields are present
Retry the import: Sometimes temporary API issues resolve themselves, so you can try uploading your file again
Contact support: If the error persists, please contact our support team with details about your import and we'll investigate the specific issue
Can I cancel an import that's already running?
Yes! You can cancel an import while it's running. You can monitor real-time progress on the job detail screen and stop the import if needed. Any items that have already been processed will remain in your store.
I made a mistake in my import. Can I undo it?
Altera doesn't have an automatic undo feature, but you can:
Use the results file to identify what was imported
Export the imported data and manually delete unwanted items
Contact support for assistance with large-scale corrections
Data Format Questions
How should I format my spreadsheet for importing?
Use clear column headers that match Matrixify/Altera field names (Title, Handle, Body HTML, etc.)
Keep data consistent within each column (all prices as numbers, all dates in the same format)
Name your sheet tab appropriately (Products, Collections, etc.) to help with automatic detection
Review our sample files for examples of proper formatting
Can I include images in my imports?
Yes! You can include product images by:
Image URLs: Include columns like Image Src with direct URLs to images
Multiple images: Use separate columns (Image Src, Image Src 2, etc.) for multiple product images
Alt text: Include Image Alt Text columns for accessibility
How do I handle product variants in imports?
Product variants should be on separate rows in your spreadsheet. Include:
The same Title for all variants of a product
Different Option1 Name, Option1 Value (and Option2, Option3 if needed) for each variant
Unique SKU and Barcode for each variant if applicable
Getting Help
Where can I find sample files?
Sample files for some data types are available in our knowledge base. Within the app, you'll find links to relevant knowledge base articles that include sample files and formatting guidance for supported data types. For data types without existing samples, contact support for specific examples.