What is the best way to convert XLSX to CSV?

From Excel: File > Save As > CSV UTF-8 (comma-delimited). From Google Sheets: File > Download > Comma-separated values. From Python: pandas.read_excel then to_csv(encoding="utf-8").

Does PrestaShop accept Excel import?

Yes via some modules (Store Commander, Seegea) but not natively. The native back-office requires CSV.

How do I handle Excel formulas before import?

Formulas are not imported, only their computed values. Before exporting to CSV, paste all columns with formulas as Values (Paste Special), to freeze the results.

Can the catalog live permanently in Excel?

Possible but it is the trap that kills teams: Excel has no business validation, no rollback, no real-time sync with Shopify or PrestaShop. Seegea brings the Excel logic into a grid directly connected to the CMS.

Excel product import: do you still need .xlsx in 2026?

Excel stays essential in e-commerce: pricing, supplier negotiation, margin analysis. But as soon as you need to push into Shopify or PrestaShop, .xlsx becomes a liability. This guide explains how to turn an Excel file into a clean import.

Excel-compatible data sources

The 3 classic traps when moving Excel to Shopify / PrestaShop

Broken accents

French Excel saves as Windows-1252. Force "CSV UTF-8" in the Save As menu, or use Google Sheets which is natively UTF-8.

Decimal separator

French Excel uses the comma for decimals (9,99). Shopify expects a dot (9.99). Replace via Find-Replace before export.

Variants on multiple rows

Excel handles poorly structures where a variant-per-row shares a parent product. That is where Matrixify, Ablestar and Seegea bring real value — they make the shape native.

Recommended 5-step method

Prepare the .xlsx with one row per variant and the parent handle/reference repeated
Freeze formulas with Paste Special > Values
Save As "CSV UTF-8 (comma-delimited)"
Open in a text editor (VS Code, Notepad++) to verify encoding
Test on 5 rows before importing the 5,000

Excel silently truncates SKUs starting with zero (e.g. 0001234 → 1234). Prefix the SKU column with an invisible apostrophe or import through Google Sheets which preserves zeros.

Excel intermediate vs Seegea inline: the gap

Criterion	Excel + CSV	Seegea
Daily edit of 50 listings	Excel + CSV re-import	Direct inline edit, zero re-import
Formula persistence	No (frozen values)	Live formulas
Shopify / PrestaShop push	After CSV import	Instant on save
History / rollback	.xlsx copies	Per-product version, Ctrl+Z
Business validation	Manual	Automatic rules

Why Seegea fits better than Excel day-to-day

Excel stays relevant for supplier negotiation, margin calculation, pricing simulation. On the other hand, running an e-commerce catalog in a shared .xlsx means stale data within 3 weeks. Seegea brings Excel gestures (copy-paste, formulas, filters) into a grid connected to Shopify and PrestaShop in real time.

The 3 strengths: AI product description in 1 click (no more writing 500 descriptions by hand), automatic image optimization (compression + WebP + neutral background), full product rollback on every change.

See Seegea replace your catalog Excel

30-min Google Meet

See Seegea replace your catalog Excel

Keep Excel for supplier negotiation only

That is what our clients do: Excel for negotiation, Seegea for publishing. Initial Excel import is frictionless, then everything runs in inline editing. Built in France between Annecy and Chantilly, Seegea is reachable by email and Google Meet to support the transition.

Created in France (Annecy – Chantilly) · Email & Google Meet support

FAQ

No. Shopify only imports UTF-8 CSV. Convert your .xlsx to CSV before importing. Excel offers "Save As > CSV UTF-8" since the 2019 version.

Excel product import: is .xlsx still the right path in 2026?