Magento 2 Import of Custom Options: How to Update Product Options with Ease

Updating Magento 2 product custom options through import can feel like a roadblock for many merchants. By default, Magento offers no straightforward way to manage or update customizable options in bulk, leaving you with tedious manual edits. That’s where the Improved Import & Export extension comes in. The module provides full support for Magento import product options, including advanced attributes like opt_id and opt_row_id, allowing you to update customizable options in Magento 2 quickly and reliably.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to import and update custom options for simple products, highlight the limitations of the default tools, and explain how the Improved Import & Export extension removes these bottlenecks. For a deeper dive into customizable options in Magento 2, you can also explore our Complete Guide to Magento 2 Simple Product Customizable Options. And if you’re looking for more practical tips, don’t miss our Magento 2 Developer’s Cookbook.

Common Challenges with Magento 2 Product Custom Options Import

When working with Magento product custom options, imports often generate duplicate custom options instead of updating the existing ones. This leads to bloated product pages and a poor customer experience.

Without proper attributes, Magento has no way to recognize which customizable option needs updating. As a result, every import risks creating new entries rather than modifying current ones.

The Improved Import & Export extension, however, addresses this challenge head-on. Let’s see how it can help you keep your Magento customizable options consistent and scalable.

Include Option ID: Magento 2 Import of Custom Options with Ease

Updating Magento 2 product custom options during import is nearly impossible with the default tools. By default, Magento can’t distinguish between existing and new options, which often results in duplicates being created instead of updates being applied. The Improved Import & Export extension introduces a feature called “Include Option ID”, which changes this entirely.

With this feature enabled, you can add two key attributes — opt_id and opt_row_id — to the customizable options of your simple products during the Magento import product options process. Instead of blindly appending new values, these attributes allow Magento to recognize and update the correct options already linked to your products.

• opt_id — Option ID. This is the unique identifier of a customizable option. When included in your import file, Magento knows exactly which option to update rather than creating a new one.
  Type: Numeric | Example: 20006
• opt_row_id — Option Row ID. This defines the row inside a customizable option, pointing to the specific title or value that needs to be updated. With it, you can edit individual rows within an option instead of replacing the entire option.
  Type: Numeric | Example: 60016

The Improved Import & Export extension uses opt_id and opt_row_id to eliminate a major limitation in native Magento 2 behavior. Instead of always adding new entries, you can finally update customizable options in Magento 2 during import — saving time, preventing duplicates, and keeping your catalog clean.

👉 For a deeper dive into how to structure import files with these attributes, check out our Guide to Magento 2 Simple Product Custom Options.

How to Import Products with Custom Options to Magento 2

With the Improved Import & Export extension, the process of importing simple products along with their Magento 2 product custom options is straightforward and efficient. Instead of wrestling with CSV limitations or editing options manually, you can configure a job once and let the extension handle updates automatically. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Create a new import job. In the admin panel, go to System → Improved Import/Export → Import Jobs and click Add New Job. This creates a dedicated profile for your product import.
   
2. Adjust general settings. Enable the job, give it a descriptive title (e.g., “Products with Custom Options”), and configure the update frequency if you want the process to run on a schedule — daily, weekly, or at custom intervals.
   
3. Select the import entity. On the Import Settings tab, choose Products as your entity. Additional configuration options will appear.
   
4. Enable “Include Option ID.” Scroll down to the “Include Option ID” setting and activate it. This ensures that opt_id and opt_row_id are recognized during the import, allowing you to update customizable options in Magento 2 instead of creating duplicates.
   
5. Finalize your configuration. Define the import source (CSV, XML, XLSX, ODS, JSON, or even Google Sheets), adjust attribute mapping if necessary, and save your job.

Once configured, you can import products with their Magento customizable options in just one click. Every time the job runs, the extension updates existing options where identifiers are provided, ensuring that your catalog stays clean and consistent.

👉 For a complete walkthrough of product imports, see our Complete Guide to Magento 2 Product Import.

Best Practices for Managing Customizable Options During Magento 2 Import

To keep your catalog consistent and avoid headaches when dealing with Magento 2 product custom options, it’s worth following a few proven practices. These tips will help you minimize errors, speed up imports, and get the most out of the Improved Import & Export extension:

• Validate CSV structure before import. Double-check that your file follows the correct format, with all required columns for products and custom options. A well-structured file ensures smoother Magento import product options.
• Use unique opt_id and opt_row_id values. These identifiers tell Magento which option or row to update, preventing duplicates and ensuring that existing Magento customizable options are updated correctly.
• Test imports in a staging environment. Always run a small test before executing large imports in your live store. This helps identify formatting issues, mismatched SKUs, or option errors without affecting customers.
• Schedule recurring imports. If you receive frequent product data from suppliers, set up automated jobs. Regular updates keep your custom options in Magento 2 aligned with external data sources without manual effort.
• Map external attributes to Magento 2 custom options. Supplier files often don’t match Magento’s structure. Use the extension’s mapping tools to align columns and values with Magento’s format on the fly.

Following these practices ensures your Magento customizable options are always accurate, scalable, and easy to manage. Combined with the Improved Import & Export extension, they turn complex import processes into a reliable, automated workflow.

Improved Import & Export Advantages Over Default Magento 2 Import

The ability to update Magento 2 product custom options during import is only one of the many advantages the Improved Import & Export extension brings to the table. While Magento’s default import tool is limited and rigid, the extension completely reimagines how data flows in and out of your store — making it faster, more flexible, and far more reliable.

Here’s what sets it apart from the native importer:

• Work with multiple file formats. Native Magento only accepts CSV files, forcing you to convert everything manually. With Improved Import & Export, you can handle CSV, XML, JSON, ODS, and XLSX files — even compressed archives — without wasting time on conversions.
• Use flexible data sources. Instead of being tied to local file uploads, you can fetch or send data from Google Drive, Dropbox, FTP/SFTP servers, direct URLs, or even Google Sheets. This makes it much easier to synchronize product feeds and Magento import product options from suppliers.
• Leverage direct API connections. The extension supports wide API integrations, allowing you to connect Magento 2 directly with ERPs, CRMs, PIMs, or other third-party systems. No middleware or manual exports are required.
• Automate with scheduling. Every import and export job can run automatically at predefined intervals. Whether you need daily supplier updates or weekly catalog syncs, scheduling ensures your Magento customizable options and product data always stay up to date.
• Powerful attribute mapping. Supplier files rarely match Magento’s format. The module’s robust mapping tools let you align external attributes with Magento 2 attributes on the fly, generate new attributes and values, or even apply transformations during import.

Together, these features make Improved Import & Export much more than a tool for managing Magento product custom options. It becomes a complete data integration hub that saves time, reduces errors, and keeps your store running smoothly — no matter how complex your workflows are.

Final Words: Smarter Way to Import Magento 2 Product Custom Options

Managing Magento 2 product custom options with the default tools is frustrating — limited file support, no way to update existing options, and a constant risk of duplication. The Improved Import & Export extension removes these roadblocks by introducing opt_id and opt_row_id, making it possible to update customizable options during Magento 2 import instead of always creating new ones.

Beyond that, the extension transforms how you work with data. From support for multiple file formats and flexible sources like Google Drive or Dropbox to direct API connections, scheduling, and advanced attribute mapping — it gives you everything you need to handle even the most complex catalog updates with confidence.

With these tools, you no longer waste hours on manual edits or broken imports. Instead, you streamline your workflows, keep your Magento customizable options clean, and ensure your store is always running at peak efficiency.

👉 Get the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension
👉 Contact Us for expert assistance
👉 Read the Improved Import & Export Manual

Take control of your Magento import product options today — and let automation handle the heavy lifting while you focus on growing your business.

FAQ: Magento 2 Import of Custom Options