Can I import images from my computer with a CSV?

No. Shopify downloads images from the web. Upload them under Content → Files first and use the links Shopify gives you.

How do I add a variant image?

Put the URL in Variant image URL (Variant Image in the old template) on the variant's row. Shopify adds it to the product's images too.

Do Google Drive or Dropbox links work?

Usually not. Sharing links open a preview page, not the image file, so the download fails. Host the images in Shopify Files or on a server that returns the image directly.

How much does it cost?

Checking a file and previewing the fixes is free. Downloading the fixed file is free up to 50 rows. A larger file costs 1 credit, and for 24 hours you can download the same file again in another format or encoding at no extra cost. No subscription needed; agencies that fix files every month can choose Pro: 300 files a month for $19.

Import multiple images per product with a Shopify CSV

Exact error message

Validation failed: getaddrinfo: nodename nor servname provided, or not known
Validation failed: An error occurred while trying to download the image

A Shopify product CSV takes one image per row. To add more, add a row for each image with the same handle, the image URL and its position, and leave the other columns empty. Every URL must be a public, direct link that starts with http:// or https://. The tool checks every image URL and repairs the common mistakes.

Wording and rules verified on October 28, 2026

Drop a CSV or Excel file hereChoose a fileCSV, TXT, TSV, XLSX or XML · up to 100,000 rowsWe'll look for: Image URL doesn't start with https://

Fixed in your browser – your file never leaves your device.

Files over 50 rows: 1 credit each ($0.75–$1 depending on pack), no subscription · See prices

Several files? Select or drop them together to fix them all at once.

No file handy? Try a broken sample

Sample files with typical import errors, loaded in your browser. Fixing and downloading them is free.

Why it happens

The image column is Product image URL in the current template (Image Src in the old one), with Image position and Image alt text next to it. A product's first row holds its details and the first image. Each further image gets its own row with only the handle, the URL, the position and the alt text.

Shopify downloads every image during the import. If the URL isn't a full web address, it fails with getaddrinfo. If the address doesn't return an image (a missing file, a login page, or a Google Drive or Dropbox preview page), it fails with "An error occurred while trying to download the image".

A path on your computer (C:\Photos\beanie.jpg) instead of a web address.
A URL without http:// or https://, or a relative one (/images/beanie.jpg).
Spaces in the file name that aren't encoded as %20.
Several URLs in one cell, separated by semicolons or spaces.
A link to a thumbnail or a preview page instead of the image file.

How to fix it manually

Excel or Google Sheets

Insert a row under the product for each extra image.
Copy the handle into the new row, put the image URL in Product image URL (Image Src) and the order (2, 3, 4…) in Image position.
Leave Title and the other product columns empty on those rows.
Open a few URLs in a private browser window. Each should show the image and nothing else.

Images on your computer

Upload them in Shopify admin under Content → Files.
Copy each file's link and use it in the CSV.

Before and after

Before

Handle,Title,Product image URL,Image position
wool-beanie,Wool beanie,cdn.example.com/img/beanie front.jpg,1
wool-beanie,,https://cdn.example.com/img/beanie back.jpg,2

After

Handle,Title,Product image URL,Image position
wool-beanie,Wool beanie,https://cdn.example.com/img/beanie%20front.jpg,1
wool-beanie,,https://cdn.example.com/img/beanie%20back.jpg,2

One product with two images, one per row. The fix adds the missing https:// and encodes the spaces.

Fix it automatically

Checks every product and variant image URL: scheme, spaces, local and relative paths, length.
Adds https:// and encodes spaces where the fix is certain.
Splits several URLs written into one cell.
Flags paths on your computer, which have to be uploaded somewhere first, and warns when a URL points to a thumbnail.

Checking and the preview are free. Downloads are free up to 50 rows; a larger file costs 1 credit.

Choose a file

The file is read and repaired inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded: only the row count and the platform are ever sent to us, so supplier prices and customer data stay private.