If you're trying to upload products with multiple variations (such as different sizes, colors, or styles) to Shopify but encounter errors, you may have reached Shopify’s variation limit.
This article explains the variation listing limitations set by Shopify, why they occur, and what you can do about them using AutoDS.
Quick Jump
Why does this issue happen?
Shopify imposes a daily limit on variant uploads. If your store has more than 50,000 variants, Shopify restricts you to uploading a maximum of 1,000 new variants per day.
This limitation is set by Shopify and is not controlled by AutoDS.
Shopify restricts each product to:
- Maximum of 100 variations per product
- Maximum of 3 options per product (e.g., size, color, material)
When uploading products with AutoDS, the system uses the same structure from the supplier (including variations, title, description, and images).
Since option types can’t be edited during import, any product with more than 3 options will fail to upload due to Shopify’s limitation.
Example:
|
Option |
Values |
Variation Count |
|---|---|---|
|
Size |
XS, S, M, L, XL |
5 sizes |
|
Color |
Black, White, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Grey |
7 colors |
|
Fabric Type |
Cotton, Polyester, Blend |
3 fabric types |
|
Total Variants |
All sizes, colors, and fabric types. |
5 × 7 × 3 = 105 variations |
Shopify’s standard plans allow a maximum of 100 variants per product. In this example, 105 variations would trigger an upload error when trying to publish the product.
Solution
If you need to list products with more than 100 variants, consider upgrading to a Shopify Plus account, which allows for more flexible variant limits.
Possible Issues & Workarounds
|
Limit |
Explanation |
Solution |
|---|---|---|
|
Maximum 100 Variants |
Shopify allows up to 100 variants per product. If you exceed this, the product cannot be imported. |
Reduce the number of variants in your product draft to 100 or fewer before importing it into your store. (image 1) |
|
Maximum 3 Option Types |
Shopify supports only up to 3 option types (e.g., Size, Color, Material) per product. |
If your product has more than 3, upload it manually to Shopify with only 3 option types and connect it to AutoDS via Untracked Products. (images 2 and 3) |
Image 1 - Maximum 100 Variants:
Image 2 - Maximum 3 Option Types:
Image 3 - Real Case Example (ASIN):
Let’s say you’re trying to import a product with the following ASIN: B07YMNLXL3.
This item has 4 option types (style, size, color, and configuration). Since Shopify only supports up to 3 option types, the product cannot be imported directly via AutoDS.
Solution: Import the product manually into Shopify using only 3 option types, then go to the Untracked Products page in AutoDS and connect the product manually.
This way, it will still be monitored for stock and price (if enabled), even if it is not imported through the AutoDS system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this a limit set by AutoDS?
A: No. This limitation comes from Shopify’s platform and applies to all sellers.
Q: Can I bypass the variation limit?
A: Shopify’s variation limit is strict and cannot be bypassed when uploading via AutoDS. The best workaround is to reduce the number of variants before importing. Alternatively, if you need to list products with more than 100 variants, consider upgrading to Shopify Plus, which offers more flexible variant limits.
Q: What happens if I try to upload a product with over 100 variants?
A: AutoDS will attempt to upload, but Shopify will reject the product, and an error will appear in your AutoDS notifications.
Q: Where can I manage variants in AutoDS?
A: Click on the product, and select the Variants section to add/delete variations.
Need Further Assistance?
If you have any questions or need additional support regarding variant uploads, please don't hesitate to contact our Support Team via the chat feature on our website. We're here to help!
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