Editing SKUs overview
Use the Update workflow when you want to create new SKU values or replace existing SKUs with a structured format.
SKU Manager builds each SKU from smaller parts, such as fixed text, product or variant details, condition-based codes, and incrementing numbers.
If you only want to clean up existing SKUs, such as changing letter case or replacing text, use Format existing SKUs instead.
How SKU values are built
SKU Manager builds SKUs using combo boxes. Each combo box contributes one part of the final SKU.
For example, a SKU might include:
A color code
A size code
A running number
Together, those parts can create SKU values like:
R-S-1000
R-M-1001
B-S-1002
B-M-1003In this example:
R or B could be a color code.
S or M could be a size code.
1000, 1001, and later values are part of a number sequence.
How you would build this example
To build a SKU like R-S-1000, you would usually use:
A conditional combo box for the color code, such as returning R when the variant is red.
A conditional combo box for the size code, such as returning S when the variant is small.
An increment combo box for the running number.
Separators, such as dashes, between the parts.
For more details about each type of combo box, see Combo modes.
Recommended workflow
Select the products or variants you want to update.
Add combo boxes for each part of the SKU, then choose the right mode for each box.
Use separators such as dashes or slashes between SKU parts. Separators are useful when you want readable SKUs like R-S-1000.
Review the preview before applying changes. This helps you catch spacing, separator, numbering, or rule issues early.
Once the preview looks correct, apply the update to save the new SKU values in Shopify.
Before applying changes
Check that the preview matches the SKU format you expect.
Review your selected products or variants.
Check for possible duplicate SKUs.
Make sure conditional rules are returning the right values.
Use a small batch first if you are unsure about the setup.
Updating SKUs changes the SKU values in Shopify. Review the preview carefully before applying changes.