> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://jrystudio.gitbook.io/manual-woocommerce/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://jrystudio.gitbook.io/manual-woocommerce/set-up-products/add-and-managing-products/variable-products.md). # Variable Products **Variable products** in WooCommerce let you offer a set of variations on a product, with control over prices, stock, image and more for each variation. They can be used for products like **shirts** and **shoes**, where you can offer a large, medium and small and in different colors. ## Adding a Variable Product To add a variable product, create a new product or edit an existing one. 1. Go to: **WooCommerce >** **Products**. 2. Select the **Add Product** button or **Edit** an existing product. The Product Data displays. 3. Select **Variable product** from the **Product Data** dropdown.

### Add Attributes to Use for Variations In the **Attributes** section, add [attributes](/manual-woocommerce/set-up-products/managing-product-categories-and-attributes.md) before creating variations — use global attributes that are site-wide or define custom ones specific to a product. #### **Global Attributes** To use a global attribute on your product: 1. First **create** a global attribute. 2. Then you can choose said global attribute from the dropdown and select **Add**. 3. Choose **Select all** to add all values from to the variable product (if applicable). 4. Most importantly select the **Used for variations** checkbox to use these for variations. 5. Select **Save attributes**.

**Custom Attributes** To add a new attribute specific to this product: 1. Select **Custom product attribute** and click **Add**. 2. Name the attribute (e.g., Size). 3. Set values separated by a vertical pipe, `|` (e.g., **Small | Medium | Large**). 4. Make sure that the **Used for variations checkbox** is checked. (Note: If your creating the first attribute for the variable product, it can also be done from the “Variations” tab. However, here the “**Used for variations**” checkbox will be checked and cannot be disabled) 5. Select **Save attributes**.

### Add Variations With attributes created and saved to add a variation, go to the **Variations** section in the **Product data** meta box. **Manually Add a Variation** 1. Select **Add variation** from the dropdown menu, and select **Go**. 2. Select attributes for your variation. To change additional data, click the triangle icon to expand the variation. 3. Edit any available data. The only required field is **Regular Price.** 4. Select **Save changes**. **Creating All Possible Variations** Select **Create variations from all attributes** to have WooCommerce create every possible combination of variations from your attributes and their values and select **Go**:

It will create a new variation for each and every possible combination of variation attributes. For example, if you have two attributes – color (with values blue and green) and size (with values large and small) it creates the following variations: * Large Blue * Large Green * Small Blue * Small Green {% hint style="warning" %} **Note:** If you later add additional attributes, it may require the variables to be redefined for the variation combinations to work correctly. {% endhint %} ### Editing Many Variations If you have more than 15 variations, use the buttons to navigate forward and backward through the list. Each time you navigate to a new set of variations, the previous set is saved. This ensures that all changes are saved.

If you want a certain variation already selected when a user visits the product page, choose the default form values. This also enables the Add to Cart button to appear automatically on variable product pages. {% hint style="danger" %} Please note that setting default form values on variations may affect the original display on the product page. Look for web developer if you need assistance. {% endhint %}

The variation data is basically the same as you can see from other [product types](/manual-woocommerce/set-up-products/add-and-managing-products.md).

General

* **Enabled** – Enable or disable the variation. * **Downloadable** – If this a downloadable variation. * **Virtual** – If this product isn’t physical or shipped, shipping settings are removed. * **Regular Price** (required) – Set the price for this variation. * **Sale Price** (optional) – Set a price for this variation when on sale. * **Tax status** – Taxable, shipping only, none. * **Tax class** – Tax class for this variation. Useful if you are offering variations spanning different tax bands. * **Stock quantity** – Shows if **Manage stock?** is selected. Allows to set the current stock level for the variation. * **Allow backorders?** – Shows if **Manage stock?** is selected. Allows to set if backorders are allowed for the variation; if enabled, stock can go below zero. * **Low stock threshold** – Shows if **Manage stock?** is selected. When the stock for the variation reaches this level you will get a notification email. If not set, the product-wide threshold will be used (see *Inventory Management* below). * **Downloadable Files** – Shows if **Downloadable** is selected. Add file(s) for customers to download. * **Download Limit** – Shows if **Downloadable** is selected. Set how many times a customer can download the file(s). Leave blank for unlimited. * **Download Expiry** – Shows if **Downloadable** is selected. Set the number of days before a download expires after purchase. **Inventory Management**

Сhoose how to manage stock by toggling **Enable stock management at product level** on the Inventory tab:

Inventory

* **SKU** – If you use SKUs, set the SKU or leave blank to use the product’s SKU. * **Manage Stock?** – Tick the box to manage stock at the variation level. * **Stock Quantity** – Shows if Manage Stock is selected. Input the quantity. Stock for the specific variation, or left blank to use the product’s stock settings. * **Allow Backorders** – Choose how to handle backorders. * **Low stock threshold** – When the stock for the variation reaches this level you will get a notification email. * **Sold Individually?** – Allow only one to be sold in one order. (This setting is used for the product itself. You cannot set a specific variation to only be sold once per order)

**Set Stock Status** can be applied to all variations at once to **In stock** or **Out of stock**. Bulk-update under **Variations**:

Shipping

* **Weight** – Weight for the variation, or left blank to use the product’s weight. * **Dimensions** – Height, width and length for the variation, or left blank to use the product’s dimensions. * **Shipping class** – Shipping class can affect shipping. Set this if it differs from the product.

Linked Products

* **Upsells** * **Cross-sells** * **Grouped**

{% hint style="warning" %} If the SKU, weight, dimensions, and stock fields are not set, then it inherits values assigned to the variable product. **Price fields must be set per variation**. {% endhint %} ### Add an Image to the Variation 1. **Expand** the variation. 2. **Click** the blue image placeholder (screenshot). 3. **Select** the image you wish to use. 4. **Save**.

### Bulk Editing Variations You can bulk-edit variations by selecting the specific piece of data you want from the dropdown. In this example, I want to edit prices for all variations:

## What Customers See On the frontend, when viewing a variable product, the user is presented with dropdown boxes to select variation options. Selecting options will reveal information about the variation, including available stock and price.

{% hint style="info" %} **Note:** This is just a general example/demo, the display of the variation options could be different due to different designs and layouts of your website.
{% endhint %}