Goal: Automate the export of Shopify orders to a CSV file on a recurring schedule (e.g., hourly) and send them to a remote destination like an FTP server or Google Drive for ERP integration.
Prerequisites:
You have Altera installed on your Shopify store
You have configured a remote connection (FTP, Google Drive, etc.) if sending files externally
Step 1 - Configure Export Settings
In the Altera app, click New Export.
In the Data to export section, select Orders.
In the Options card, under File format, ensure Single CSV (.csv) is selected.
(Optional) Expand Advanced options and enable Standardize Phone Numbers if your system requires consistent phone number formatting.
(Optional) If you require a custom file format (specific columns, headers, or data transformations) for your ERP, we can create a custom data transformation for you. See the Data transformations card or contact support.
Step 2 - Set Up Scheduling and Filters
Locate the Scheduling card.
Toggle Run job on a schedule to Enabled.
Set Repeat to Every hour (or your preferred frequency).
In the Filters section, select Processed at and in the last X hours.
Enter 1 in the value field. This ensures you only export orders processed in the last hour.
Step 3 - Connect to Remote Destination
In the Export location card, click Create connection (or select an existing connection).
Choose your provider (FTP, Google Drive, etc.) and follow the prompts.
For details on setting up connections, see our guide on How to Export to FTP Server.
(Optional) Enable Do not export if empty (usually found under Advanced options or connection settings) to prevent sending blank files.
Step 4 - Activate the Job
Click Start export to save and start the scheduled job.
Outcome
Your Shopify orders are automatically exported and sent to your specified server or storage location on your defined schedule, ready for processing by your ERP or other systems.
Managing the Job
Once your job is running, you can manage it from the Job Detail page:
Rename: Click More actions > Rename to give the job a clear name (e.g., "Hourly Order Export").
Pause: Toggle Scheduling to Disabled to temporarily stop the automation.
History: Check the All job runs section at the bottom of the page to view logs of past runs and verify how many orders were exported.
Export Historical Data (Backfill)
If you need to export orders for a specific past time range:
Go to the Job Detail page of your scheduled export.
Click More actions and select Clone to create a copy of the job.
Rename the job (e.g., "Order Export - Backfill") to keep it organized.
Update the Processed at filter to select the desired date range.
(Optional) Remove the Export location if you prefer to download the file directly instead of sending it to the server.
Click Start export to perform the one-time export.