---
title: Variant ID (Ref) column in product import results
date: 2026-04-30
description: Product import result files now include a Variant ID (Ref) column showing which variant was matched or created on each row.
tags: ["Products","Imports"]
categories: ["Changelog"]
url: https://www.getaltera.com/changelog/2026-04-30-variant-id-ref-column/
---


When you import a product file with multiple variants, it wasn't always clear which Shopify variant ended up matched or created on each row. The result file now spells it out.

### What's New

- **Variant ID (Ref) column** - added to the result file for every product import, showing the variant ID for each row that produced or updated a variant.
- **Works with any variant key** - whether you key on Handle, Variant SKU, or Variant ID, the column lands the right id on the right row.
- **Round-trip ready** - sits next to the existing ID (Ref) and Handle (Ref) columns, so you can use the result file directly as the input to a follow-up variant-level import.