How to Add Alt Text to All Shopify Product Images Using CSV

If your Shopify store has many product images, checking alt text one image at a time can take hours. The faster method is to export your products as a CSV, find missing values in the Image Alt Text column, and then update the file.

Why product image alt text matters

Alt text is a short written description of an image. For Shopify stores, it helps screen-reader users understand product images. It can also help search engines better understand what your product images show.

A weak alt text value like “product image” is not very helpful. A better value describes the actual product image.

Weak example:

product image

Better example:

black leather tote bag with gold strap

Step 1: Export your Shopify products as CSV

Open Shopify Admin.
Go to Products.
Click Export.
Choose to export your products as a CSV file.
Download the file to your computer.

This CSV usually includes product information, image URLs, and an Image Alt Text column.

Step 2: Find the Image Alt Text column

Open the CSV in Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet tool. Look for a column named:

Image Alt Text

Blank cells in this column usually mean the product image is missing alt text.

Step 3: Write useful alt text

Good alt text should describe what the image shows. Do not keyword-stuff. Do not write only “image” or “product photo.”

Avoid

image
product photo
best cheap discount fashion bag online

Use

gold hoop earrings on white background
cream linen sofa with wooden legs
blue ceramic vase on a dining table

Step 4: Update the CSV carefully

Add alt text values to the missing rows. Save the CSV. Before importing anything back into Shopify, keep a backup of your original export.

If you are not confident with CSV imports, test with a small product set first or review Shopify’s import flow carefully before making bulk changes.

Faster method: use a free Shopify CSV alt text audit

For larger catalogs, manually scanning the Image Alt Text column can be slow. Store Accessibility Scan provides a free Shopify CSV audit tool that checks your product export and shows missing alt text rows instantly.

The tool can help you:

Upload a Shopify product CSV.
See total product image rows.
Find rows missing image alt text.
Download a CSV with suggested alt text.
Use it without signup.

Find missing Shopify alt text free

Need help cleaning the list?

If your audit shows many missing rows, you can also order the Shopify Alt Text Cleanup Pack. It is a paid $49 option for merchants who want help writing better alt text suggestions for their catalog.

Store Accessibility Scan is a technical accessibility helper. It does not provide legal advice or guarantee compliance.