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Product variations let you connect different versions of the same product as options (varying by size, color, or fitment) and even group them into a single listing.
This setup simplifies inventory management, as it allows you to adjust products in bulk from a single window your in X-Cart admin. It also improves shopping experience by allowing your customers to switch between product options directly from the product listing page, instead of searching for them elsewhere in your store.
Now, let’s see how to make product variations work.
Part 1: Create Individual Product Items
Start by creating the products you plan to group as variations. For example, if you're selling Rotiform BLQ wheels in silver (18”) and matte black (19”), create two separate products:
ROTIFORM® - BLQ Silver, 18" (SKU: 52596051-Silver-18)
ROTIFORM® - BLQ Matte Black, 19" (SKU: 52596051-Black-19)
Make sure to include key details for each product, such as the name, SKU, images, stock quantity, and price.
💡 You can add these products manually, clone existing items, or import them in bulk via CSV or Auto-Integration, depending on your preference.
Part 2: Assign a Product Class and Attributes
Products you want to set up as variations must share a common product class with identical attributes. At least one attribute must have a different value for the variation to be created. For example, differences in "Diameter" or "Color" will appear as selectable options, allowing customers to switch between products.
To Assign a Product Class:
In the X-Cart Admin, go to Catalog › Products.
Click on the product name (e.g., ROTIFORM® - BLQ Silver, 18") to edit its details.
On the product details page, go to Attributes › Global.
If no product class is assigned, click Change to select or create a new one.
Click Save Changes to apply the selected product class.
After page refresh you can edit existing attributes that were applied with this product class or add new ones.
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To Add Attributes:
In the Attributes › Global section, click Add attribute and choose Plain field.
Define Attribute name (e.g. Color, Lug Count, Diameter).
Then specify Attribute option with a value (e.g. Silver, 20-lugs, 18").
Make sure the Multi value box
is unchecked, as only single-value attributes can be used for variations.Click Save changes.
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💡 To group attributes (e.g., placing "Diameter" and "Width" under a "Rim Size" section), go to Manage Product Classes and click Edit attributes.
Show me how
Show me how
Part 3: Creating Variation Group
Once the product class and attributes are set up, the next step is to create a variation group and assign it an ID (e.g., product name, SKU, or any custom identifier) before adding items to it.
Steps:
On the product details page, switch to the Variations tab.
In the Variation group ID field, enter a value to group the products as variations.
Click Save changes.
A list of attributes from the product details page will appear. Check the
Use for Variations boxes for the attributes that will define your variations (e.g., Color and Diameter).Click Save changes again to apply.
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Part 4: Adding Products to a Variation Group
Once a variation group is created, you can add products to it in one of three ways:
Let's explore each option in detail.
Cloning the Current Product
Duplicate the product and update its details, such as color, size, or SKU. To do that:
On the Variations tab, click Clone this variation.
The Variations tab of the new product will open. Adjust the attributes accordingly.
Click Save changes.
Switch to the Info tab and update the Product name and SKU to reflect the product differences (e.g., ROTIFORM® - BLQ Silver, 19"; SKU: 52596051-silver-19).
Click Update product to finalize the variation grouping.
The cloned product will automatically be added to the variation group.
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Linking an Existing Product
In the Variations menu of the current product, link a product you created in Part 1 or any other item from your product list. To do that:
Go to Variation Based on section at the bottom of the page
Click Add Variation to open a list of products filtered by the assigned product class and attributes.
Select
the other products you've created in Part 1 (eg. Rotiform BLQ, Matte Black, 18) to group them as a variation.Click Add Product.
Adjust the attributes accordingly.
Click Save changes to finalize the variation grouping.
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Entering a Variation Group ID
Open any product, navigate to the Variations tab, and enter the Variation Group ID created in Part 3 to link it to the group. To do that:
In the X-Cart Admin, go to Catalog › Products.
Click the product name (e.g., Rotiform BLQ, Matte Black, 19) to edit its details.
On the product details page, switch to the Variations tab.
Select a Product class that matches the variation group (e.g., Wheels).
Enter the Variation Group ID.
Click Save Changes.
Ensure each variation has the correct attribute values. Adjust the attributes as needed, then click Save Changes again to finalize the variation grouping.
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Customer Experience
Now that both wheel versions are linked, the two individual products will consolidate into a single listing with selectable variations.
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This allows customers to choose their preferred diameter and color (or other attributes, depending on your setup) directly from the product page using selectors. The options shown in the selectors will be the attributes you've marked as Use for Variations.
Can't find answers you're looking for?
Email us at support@x-cart.com. We will be happy to help!