Duplicate SKU in Amazon Flat Files: CSV & Excel Checklist

1. Find the actual data inside the template

An Excel template may start with instructions or explanatory rows before the headers. Select its data worksheet and the column-header row. In the preview, confirm that SKU is a header rather than the first product. Automatic selection is a suggestion to review. For CSV, use the correct encoding and delimiter. Unreadable Arabic text may need the source encoding selected rather than an attempted repair after reading.

2. Preserve SKUs as text before checking duplicates

A SKU such as 000123 differs from 123. The checker preserves text present in the file but cannot restore zeros already lost in the source. When importing CSV into Excel, set the SKU column to text; a number format that visually adds zeros does not change the stored value. Duplicate detection matches case exactly within the file, not every possible conflict with your existing catalog.

3. Compare duplicate rows before choosing a correction

If 000123 appears twice, compare the title, price, parent and other source values. The second row may be an accidental duplicate or an item that needs its own code. We do not guess which. The report identifies the locations so you can review both rows; the review copy retains data instead of discarding rows you might need.

Review example — synthetic data, not Amazon API error codes

4. Check prices and parent-child references within a clear scope

Map price only if you want it checked and use a positive value without thousands separators. A row mapped as a parent may have a blank price in these checks. Mapping parent and parentage enables reference checks inside the file. A parent absent from the file needs catalog review; absence does not prove the relationship is invalid on Amazon. Category variation themes and all allowed values are outside this checker’s scope.

5. Download issues and distinguish a review copy from an upload template

Download the issue CSV and values-only TSV review copy. For XLSX, template formatting and Excel formulas are not exported; formula cells are blanked and flagged. Text that could begin a spreadsheet formula is escaped in the copy, which may affect its representation when reimported. Do not treat that copy as a ready-to-submit template. Correct the original and review Amazon’s category requirements before submission.

6. What does a clear report not establish?

A clear report means the mapped fields did not fail the implemented checks. It does not validate GTINs, brand authorization, category approvals or image availability; image URLs are not opened. The tool reads up to 5 MiB, 10,000 data rows and 100 columns, with an issue limit stated in the workspace. Split larger files and keep a source copy before editing.