What File Format Should I Use for Amazon Bulksheets?
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Quick answer
Amazon bulksheet uploads accept two primary file formats: CSV and XLSX. Both are supported in the Amazon Advertising console for Sponsored Products bid updates. The accepted file must match the current bulksheet template and preserve all required headers; otherwise, Amazon may reject the upload or skip rows. Using the template directly from the console is the easiest way to keep formatting consistent. Once exported, the file can be edited in Excel, Google Sheets, or a spreadsheet-compatible tool before re-upload.
Most sellers keep the template's original format when making bid changes, but you can convert between CSV and XLSX as long as the required columns remain intact. The important part is not the extension itself; it is staying aligned with Amazon's expected structure.
CSV and XLSX: Amazon's accepted upload formats
Amazon Advertising accepts bulksheets saved as either comma-separated values (.csv) or the newer Excel workbook format (.xlsx). CSV files are lightweight and easy to inspect in any text editor, while XLSX files hold formatting, formulas, and multiple sheets more comfortably. The console does not require one format over the other for Sponsored Products bid updates.
Choose the format that keeps your workflow easiest. If you only need flat bid and keyword changes, CSV is often enough. If your team builds pivot tables or conditional checks before uploading, XLSX may be more practical.
Matching Amazon's template and required headers
The file extension matters less than structure. Amazon expects the upload to match the current bulksheet template, with all required headers present and spelled consistently. Extra columns are sometimes accepted, but missing required columns can cause upload errors or partial processing.
- Download the template directly from Amazon Advertising for the campaign type you are updating.
- Keep header row text unchanged; do not rename bid, campaign, or targeting columns.
- Save from your spreadsheet tool as CSV or XLSX after making changes.
- Remove temporary notes or helper columns before upload if they are not part of the template.
When handling many reports, a dashboard such as Amazon Ads Dashboard by Todoza can help consolidate performance data before you prepare a clean working file.
When file format choices matter
File format and template mismatches tend to surface at scale. A single manual bid change is easy to fix; a multi-campaign update can fail quietly if headers shift or the sheet contains unsupported values. Checking the format before upload reduces time spent troubleshooting rejected files.
This matters most when you are working across marketplaces, sharing files between team members, or updating thousands of keywords at once. Consistent formatting helps Amazon process rows predictably.
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Related guides
After the file is in an accepted CSV or XLSX format and matches Amazon's template, you are ready to apply bid changes systematically. For the full process, see how to update Amazon Sponsored Products bids with a bulksheet.