> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.giftcardfactory.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.giftcardfactory.app/bulk-operations/bulk-update.md).

# Bulk Update

✏️ Update many existing gift cards at once via a CSV file.

With **Bulk Update** you can update many existing gift cards at once by uploading a CSV file. The fields you can update include:

* Expiry date
* Balance
* Note
* Message (sent in the recipient email)
* Customer (by `customer_id` or `email`)
* Recipient (by `recipient_id` or `recipient_email`)
* Gift card state (only changes from *enabled* to *disabled* are allowed — Shopify does not allow re-enabling a disabled gift card)

To update a gift card, you need its **gift card ID**.

{% hint style="info" %}
Gift card ID is different from gift card code. You can export gift card IDs by going to **Products → Gift Cards**, selecting gift cards and clicking **Export** at the top. We also include gift card IDs in the CSV every time you import or autogenerate gift cards.
{% endhint %}

### 💡 **Common Use Cases**

* **Reloading gift card balances**: Top up partially used cards for customer retention or promotional campaigns. You can increase the balance of multiple cards in one action.
* **Extending gift card validity**: Honor expired cards or adjust expiry dates after a policy change. Gives customers more time to redeem.
* **Bulk disabling unused gift cards**: Deactivate cards to prevent unauthorized use and keep active inventory clean.

### **📋 CSV Columns**

Only `gift_card_id` is required. Remove any columns you don't want to update.

| Column            | Required | Notes                                                                                                                                         |
| ----------------- | :------: | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `gift_card_id`    |     ✅    | Numeric gift card ID (not the code).                                                                                                          |
| `disabled`        |          | `true` / `false`. Set to `true` to disable the card. You can only disable cards — Shopify does not allow re-enabling.                         |
| `expires_on`      |          | New expiry date in `YYYY-MM-DD` format (other common formats are converted). **Must be in the future.**                                       |
| `customer_id`     |          | Numeric customer ID. Sets the **Customer** field on the gift card. Shopify doesn't allow changing it once a gift card already has a customer. |
| `email`           |          | Customer email. Used as an alternative to `customer_id` to set the customer.                                                                  |
| `recipient_id`    |          | Numeric customer ID. Sets the **Recipient** field on the gift card.                                                                           |
| `recipient_email` |          | Recipient email. Used as an alternative to `recipient_id`.                                                                                    |
| `message`         |          | Custom message sent in the recipient email, up to **200 characters**.                                                                         |
| `note`            |          | Internal note, visible to staff only.                                                                                                         |
| `balance`         |          | New balance for the card. Can't be negative. The app credits or debits the difference from the current balance.                               |

Advanced columns (all optional):

| Column              | Notes                                                                                                                |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `adjustment`        | Amount to add to (positive) or subtract from (negative) the current balance. Alternative to `balance`; can't be `0`. |
| `send_at`           | Date on which Shopify sends the gift card to the recipient. Must be in the future. Requires a recipient on the card. |
| `send_to_recipient` | `true` to send the Shopify gift card email to the recipient now.                                                     |
| `send_to_customer`  | `true` to send the Shopify gift card email to the customer now.                                                      |

### **🪜 Step-by-Step Instructions**

1. **Download the CSV template.**\
   Use the file below as a starting point.

{% file src="/files/UUR8tclWG7c3weu8bO5P" %}

Optionally you can open and copy our Google Sheet template:

* [Template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z-BAHW_JUGbPbClAzIGfiqLb1GD5gkWPpCNsnxJJqS4/edit?usp=sharing)

2. **Remove unused columns and populate rows.**\
   Only `gift_card_id` is required. Remove any columns you don't want to update, then fill in your data.
3. **Upload the file in the app.**\
   The form accepts `.csv`, `.tsv`, and `.txt` files, up to **10 MB**. With the **Smart import** experience (switch at the top of the form) your column names don't have to match — the app maps them and fixes data problems before the update; see [Smart Import](/bulk-operations/smart-import.md). With the **Classic** upload, a summary shows the detected separator, row count, and column names, and columns highlighted in green match the expected names.

> 📸 **Screenshot placeholder** — the Bulk update page with the Import experience switch and the Smart import card.

4. **Choose whether to receive a summary email.**\
   Enable **Send a summary with process results** to get a one-time email with a CSV showing the result of each update. You can enter multiple email addresses separated by a comma.
5. **Click Update now or Schedule.**\
   **Update now** runs the operation immediately. **Schedule** runs it at a future date and time you select.

### **▶️ Running the Operation**

Two buttons are available at the bottom of the form:

* **Update now**: Runs the operation immediately.
* **Schedule**: Runs the operation at a future date and time. You select a timezone, start date, and start time.

The submit button stays disabled until a valid file with no row-level errors is ready. With Smart import, every error must be resolved on the Fix data step before the file can be used.

### **FAQ**

**My file uploaded but the app says "No matching columns found".**\
In the classic upload, the column header names in your file must match the expected names exactly — compare against the template above (column names are case-sensitive). Or switch to **Smart import** at the top of the form, which maps your columns for you.

**Why can't I re-enable a disabled gift card?**\
Shopify does not allow re-enabling gift cards once disabled. The `disabled` column only supports going from enabled to disabled.

**I didn't get the summary email.**\
The summary is only sent if **Send a summary with process results** was enabled before the operation ran. Check your spam folder, or contact us at **<support@code57.pl>**.