Decoding Shopify Returns: Your Guide to Easy CSV Exports & Refund Tracking

Diving Deep into Shopify Returns: Getting Your Data Out

Hey everyone! So, I was just browsing the Shopify Community forums, and I stumbled upon a thread that I think a lot of you can relate to. It started with @NCLTD looking for a simple way to export their Shopify return data into a CSV file. Specifically, they wanted a breakdown of each returned SKU, including the date, shipping location, order number, and refund amount. Sounds familiar, right?

It's a common pain point. You need that data to understand return trends, manage inventory, and reconcile your finances. But getting it out of Shopify in a usable format can sometimes feel like pulling teeth.

The Community's Got Your Back

The great thing about the Shopify community is that people are always willing to jump in and help. @NCLTD's question sparked some interesting suggestions.

@Report_Pundit1 suggested using the "Items returned by product" premade report and offered a SQL query to refine the data. Here’s the query they shared:

FROM sales
SHOW returns, total_returns
WHERE product_title IS NOT NULL
GROUP BY day, product_variant_sku, order_name, shipping_city WITH GROUP_TOTALS,
TOTALS
SINCE startOfDay(-365d) UNTIL today
ORDER BY day ASC, product_variant_sku ASC, order_name ASC, shipping_city ASC
LIMIT 1000
VISUALIZE returns TYPE bar

They even included a helpful screenshot:

Then, @kevin_133 suggested using Shopify's Analytics > Reports > Exploration feature, highlighting the power of the AI bot to help refine queries. He even provided this query:

FROM sales
SHOW quantity_returned, returns
GROUP BY day, product_variant_sku, order_name, pos_location_name WITH TOTALS
HAVING returns > 0
ORDER BY day ASC
VISUALIZE quantity_returned

Crafting Your Perfect Return Report: A Step-by-Step Guide

Okay, so based on the community discussion and my own experience, here's a breakdown of how you can get that CSV export of returned items with the specific data points you need:

1. Start with Shopify's Analytics: Navigate to "Analytics" then "Reports" in your Shopify admin panel.
2. Explore the Exploration Tool: This is where you can build custom reports using the AI assistant or by writing your own queries.
3. Use the provided queries as a starting point: The queries from @Report_Pundit1 and @kevin_133 are great starting points. You'll likely need to tweak them to get *exactly* the data you're looking for.
4. Customize Your Query: Here's where you'll need to get your hands dirty. Think about the specific fields you need: date returned, SKU, shipping location, order number, and refund amount. You might need to join different tables or use calculated fields to get everything in one place.
5. Consider a Shopify App: If writing SQL queries isn't your thing (and let's be honest, it's not everyone's!), there are tons of reporting apps in the Shopify App Store that can simplify this process. Search for terms like "advanced reporting," "custom reports," or "returns analytics."
6. Export to CSV: Once you have your report looking exactly the way you want, most reporting tools (including the Exploration tool and reporting apps) will allow you to export the data to a CSV file.

Key Considerations for Accurate Reporting

• Date Returned vs. Date of Refund: Make sure you're clear on which date you need. The date the item was physically returned might be different from the date the refund was processed.
• Shipping Location Granularity: Do you need the city, state/province, or country? Adjust your query accordingly.
• Refund Amount Details: Does the refund amount include shipping costs or just the product price? Again, this will influence your query.

Ultimately, creating the perfect Shopify returns report requires a bit of experimentation. Don't be afraid to play around with the Exploration tool, try different queries, and explore the app store. The community is a great resource, so don't hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck. Happy reporting!