Multi-select attributes in Magento allow a single product to have multiple values for one attribute — for example, a product available in several sizes or compatible with multiple accessories. When exported from Elovate, these values are formatted in a specific way to ensure they can be easily re-imported.
Export format
Values are separated by a comma and a space
Example:M, L, XL
Order of values is based on how they are stored in Magento and may not match the dropdown order in the Admin.
If a product has no values for that attribute, the export cell will be completely empty.
Why the delimiter matters
When re-importing, Elovate uses the multi-select delimiter setting to split values back into individual options.
If you edit a multi-select attribute in Excel, CSV, or Google Sheets, keep the comma + space format.
Removing the space after the comma may still work, but is not recommended for consistency.
Example
Let’s say your Magento store has a multi-select attribute compatible_devices and you export a product with three values:
sku | compatible_devices |
PROD-001 | iPhone, iPad, MacBook |
If you want to add another value, simply append it in the same format:
sku | compatible_devices |
PROD-001 | iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch |
Best practices
Always use existing attribute options in Magento; new options should be created via the import tool’s “Add new attribute option” feature.
Avoid line breaks or special characters inside the multi-select values.
If using Google Sheets, take advantage of dropdowns in exports (when available) to prevent typos.