When you want to update variants in Sales Layer, the key field is Variant Reference. Sales Layer uses this value to identify which variant should be updated.

To make sure the variant stays linked to the correct parent product, it is also important to keep the Product Reference field consistent.

If the variant reference already exists, the import updates that variant instead of creating a new one.

Updating Variants through import

The update process follows the same flow as a normal import. Go to the Variants tab, click Import, and choose the import method you want to use.

You prepare the file, paste or upload it, review the field mapping, and then confirm the import.

Key fields

You do not need to reimport the full variant row every time. In most cases, it is safer to include only:

• Variant Reference
• Product Reference, when needed to keep the relationship clear
• the field or fields you want to update

This makes the update easier to control and reduces the risk of changing values you did not intend to modify.

Using operators to update multi-value fields

If you want to update multi-value fields, such as images, files, related items, tags, or list fields with multi-selection enabled, you can use the ++ and -- operators.

Use ++ to add values

Add ++ before the new value when you want to append information without deleting what is already stored in the field.

This is useful, for example, when a variant already has images linked and you want to add one more image without replacing the existing ones.

Use -- to remove specific values

Add -- before a value when you want to remove that specific value from a supported multi-value field.

This lets you clean up selected values without replacing the whole field content.

These operators should only be used in fields that support this behavior.

Common use cases

• Update prices, identifiers, or option values for existing variants
• Refresh images or files linked to variants
• Append or remove selected values in supported multi-value fields
• Run controlled updates without creating new variants

Best practices

Before updating variants, make sure your variant references and product references are clean, unique, and written consistently. Import only the columns you really want to change, review the mapping before confirming, and use Modify only existing items when you want the safest possible update. For larger changes, generating a backup first is a good safety step.