Goal: Set up automated imports that fetch data from an FTP, SFTP server, or remote URL at regular intervals, so you can keep your Shopify store synchronized with external systems without manual file uploads.
Prerequisites:
You have Altera installed on your Shopify store
You have access credentials for your FTP or SFTP server (hostname, username, password) or a remote URL where your data file is hosted
Your data file is in a supported Altera/Matrixify-compatible format (CSV, Excel, etc.)
Step 1 - Navigate to Remote Import
In your Shopify admin, open Altera, then click Remote import in the left menu.
Alternatively, you can access this from the home page by clicking Import from URL/FTP/SFTP.
Step 2 - Enter Connection Details
Enter the connection information for your remote file:
For FTP/FTPS/SFTP:
Connection Type: Select FTP, FTPS, or SFTP
FTP - Standard File Transfer Protocol (default port 21)
FTPS - FTP with SSL/TLS encryption (default port 21)
SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol (default port 22)
Host: Enter your server hostname (e.g.,
ftp.example.comorsftp.example.com)Username: Your server username
Password: Your server password
Port: (Optional) Specify a custom port if not using the default (21 for FTP/FTPS, 22 for SFTP)
Step 3 - Specify Remote Directory or File Path
In the Remote Directory field, specify which file to import:
Specific file: Enter the exact path to your file (e.g.,
/exports/orders.csv)Latest file with wildcard: Use an asterisk (
*) to automatically fetch the most recent file matching a pattern (e.g.,/exports/orders*.csv)
The wildcard option is useful when your system generates new files with timestamps or dates in the filename, and you always want to import the latest one.
Step 4 - Test the Connection
Click Connect and Download File to test your connection and download the file.
Altera will fetch the file from your remote location and take you to the analysis screen.
Step 5 - Configure Import Settings
On the analysis screen:
Review the data preview to ensure the file was downloaded correctly
Configure any necessary settings to address format or data issues
Step 6 - Set Up Scheduling (Optional)
To run this import automatically on a schedule:
Scroll to the Scheduling section
Enable Repeat this import
Choose your preferred frequency
Set the specific time or hours when the import should run
Step 7 - Start the Import
Click Start Import to begin the import process.
The import will run immediately with the current file
If you enabled scheduling, the import will automatically run at the specified intervals
Each scheduled run will fetch the latest file from your remote location and process it
Outcome
Altera will process your data file and import it into Shopify. If you configured scheduling, the import will automatically run at your specified intervals, downloading the latest file from your remote server or URL each time.
You can monitor the status of your scheduled imports on the home page under Recent Jobs.
Example Use Cases
Order fulfillment updates: Your warehouse system exports order updates to an SFTP server every hour, and Altera automatically imports them to update order statuses in Shopify
Inventory synchronization: Your inventory management system uploads stock levels to a URL every night, and Altera imports them to keep Shopify inventory accurate
Product updates from suppliers: Suppliers upload product data files with timestamps (e.g.,
products_2025-10-17.csv) to an SFTP server, and Altera uses a wildcard to always import the latest file
Important Notes
When using wildcards (
*), Altera will download the most recently modified file that matches the patternScheduled imports will continue running until you disable them, archive the job, or delete the scheduled job
Archiving a scheduled job will stop it from running automatically
If a scheduled import fails you can review the details in the job history
If a scheduled import is still running when the next run is due, the new run will be skipped to prevent overlapping operations