---
title: How to Import WooCommerce Products and Assign Category Terms with Excel
description: "Assign WooCommerce product categories on import from Excel: several terms, a single term, or a hierarchy."
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/taxonomy-structure-how-to-import-woocommerce-products-and-caterogory-terms-with-excel/"
updated: "2026-10-05"
category: How to
---

# How to Import WooCommerce Products and Assign Category Terms with Excel

To assign WooCommerce product categories while importing from Excel with [WooCommerce Products Import & Export with Excel](https://wpfactory.com/item/woocommerce-products-import-export-with-excel/), map your category column to the product category field on the **Import/Update Products** tab at **WPFactory > Product Import/Export**. One cell can hold one term, several terms, or the last child term of a hierarchy with **Select Parent Categories as well** ticked.

## Assign multiple category terms to a product

To assign several terms, enter them comma separated in one Excel cell, in that product's row. The comma is the default; if you changed **Settings > Main > Separator for multiple values import**, use that symbol instead.

## Assign a single category term

To assign one term, put that single term value in the product's category cell.

## Assign a hierarchical term with all of its parents

To place a product under a child term and include every parent term above it, enter only the last child term value in the Excel cell, then on the mapping screen tick the checkbox **Select Parent Categories as well**. The product is assigned to the child term and all of its parents.

![Importing a hierarchical WooCommerce category tree from Excel](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/taxonomy-structure-hierarchical-woocommerce-products-excel.jpg)

## Step by step

1. Create the category tree first, in **Products > Categories** or in bulk with the **Import Terms** tab. See [How to Import Category Terms, Attributes, and Brands with Excel](https://wpfactory.com/docs/import-product-terms-attributes-brands-with-excel/).
2. Add a category column to your product file and fill it using one of the patterns above.
3. Go to **WPFactory > Product Import/Export**, open **Import/Update Products** and upload the file.
4. Drag the category column onto the product category field in **PRODUCT TAXONOMIES - ATTRIBUTES**.
5. Tick **Select Parent Categories as well** and, when updating, **Replace Categories on Update** if needed.
6. Click **Upload**.

## Category options on the mapping screen

| Checkbox | Effect |
| --- | --- |
| Select Parent Categories as well | Also assigns every parent of each assigned term. |
| Replace Categories on Update | Removes the product's current terms before assigning the ones in the file. Without it, new terms are added to the existing ones. |

## Handling duplicate term names

If you use category terms that share the same name, for example **Shirts** under both Women Clothing and Men Clothing, enter the term's **slug** (for example `shirts-men`) instead of the name. WordPress looks a term up by slug first, then by name, so a unique slug tells it exactly which term to assign.

## If it does not work

- **A new, unwanted category appears:** the cell value did not match an existing term's slug or name, so WordPress created a new term. Check spelling and spacing.
- **Old categories remain after an update:** tick **Replace Categories on Update**.
- **Parents are missing:** tick **Select Parent Categories as well**, and make sure the tree already exists.

## FAQ

### Can I import the category tree itself?

Yes, with the **Import Terms** tab, which creates terms and their parents in bulk.

### Can I use a different separator than a comma?

Yes. Set it in **Settings > Main > Separator for multiple values import**. It applies to every multi-value column.

### Does this work for tags and brands too?

Yes. Every product taxonomy appears in the same section and follows the same rules.

Related: [Import Mapping Options Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/import-mapping-options-reference/).

### Get the most from Products Import & Export with Excel

[WooCommerce Products Import & Export with Excel](https://wpfactory.com/item/woocommerce-products-import-export-with-excel/) can also create category terms, attributes, and brands in bulk from the Import Terms screen. [See everything it can do](https://wpfactory.com/item/woocommerce-products-import-export-with-excel/).

Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Products Import & Export with Excel support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/woocommerce-products-import-export-with-excel/).

Related articles

- [How to Import Affiliate and External Products with Excel](https://wpfactory.com/docs/import-affiliate-external-products-with-excel/)
- [How to Bulk Import WooCommerce Product Translations with Excel for WPML](https://wpfactory.com/docs/how-to-bulk-import-woocommerce-product-translations-with-excel-for-wpml/)
- [How to Import a Variable Product in WooCommerce from One Excel Row](https://wpfactory.com/docs/how-to-import-variable-product-in-woocommerce-with-1-excel-row/)
- [How to Import WooCommerce Products with a Comma in an Attribute Term Value](https://wpfactory.com/docs/how-to-import-woocommerce-products-in-bulk-with-comma-in-attribute-term-value/)
- [How to Schedule a WooCommerce Product Import from Excel with a Cron Job](https://wpfactory.com/docs/how-to-schedule-excel-woocommerce-product-import-via-cron-job/)