---
title: Stop duplicate files when re-importing URLs
date: 2026-07-16
description: New import option matches file URLs to your store's existing files by filename, so re-imports reuse files instead of duplicating them.
tags: ["Imports","Files","Migration"]
categories: ["Changelog"]
url: https://www.getaltera.com/changelog/2026-07-16-match-urls-to-existing-files/
---


Re-running an import that references image or file URLs no longer has to fill your Files section with duplicates.

---

### 🚀 What's New

- **Match URLs to existing files** - new import option that checks whether a URL's file already exists in your store before downloading it, and reuses the existing file when it does ([see guide](https://support.getaltera.com/en/articles/11490237-file-fields#match-urls-to-existing-files)).
- **Great for copying metaobjects between stores** - metaobjects with file fields can be exported as full URLs and re-imported as often as needed, reusing the files uploaded the first time instead of duplicating them.
- **Works across the import** - applies to product and variant images, metafields and metaobject fields that reference files, and the Files sheet.