Sell different files for each variant
When one product sells in several forms, a book as PDF or EPUB, a template in different software formats, a course at two tiers, each variant needs its own files. Filemonk configures content per variant, and shows them together under Content by variant.
Before you begin
- The variants must exist in Shopify first, with the options and combinations you sell.
- Decide which files are shared and which are specific. Files linked to all variants go to every buyer; files linked to one variant go only to that buyer.
Set it up
For each variant you want to configure:
- Click Filemonk in the left menu of your Shopify admin.
- Click Digital products in the app's menu and open the product, or start a new digital product for it.
- On the Variants step, select Only when a specific option is purchased, then pick the variant.
- Set the content type and add that variant's files.
- Save, then use Add another variant to configure the next one.
The product then lists each variant configuration with its file count, and Quick stats summarising how many configurations and files it carries.
Mixing shared and specific files
A common setup is a shared bonus plus a format-specific main file:
- Configure the main file per variant, PDF for the PDF variant, EPUB for the EPUB variant.
- Configure the shared bonus with When any option is purchased.
A customer buying the PDF variant then receives the PDF and the bonus, but not the EPUB.
What customers will see
Only the files that apply to what they bought: their variant's files, plus anything linked to all variants.
Check your setup
Test more than one variant. Buy the PDF variant and confirm the PDF arrives without the EPUB, then buy another and check the reverse. This is the setup where a single test proves the least. See Create a test order.
Troubleshooting
A customer got the wrong format
The files are linked to all variants rather than to one. Open the product and check each configuration, then re-link the format-specific files to their own variants.
A customer got nothing
They bought a variant with no configuration. Every variant you sell needs either its own files or files linked to all variants. Check the product for variants with no configuration.
No variant configurations
Nothing has been set up for this product yet. Add files to a variant to get started.
This variant is already configured
You are configuring a variant that already has files or a custom setup. Edit the existing setup instead of adding a second one.
I added a new variant in Shopify and it delivers nothing
New variants are not configured automatically. Add a configuration for it, or link the files to all variants so new ones are covered.
FAQ
Can a variant have both its own files and shared ones?
Yes, and it is the usual pattern. Variant-specific files plus files linked to all variants both arrive.
What happens if I delete a variant in Shopify?
Its configuration remains and shows as a deleted variant. Remove it to tidy up. Customers who already bought keep their access.
Can one variant be a custom product and another a normal download?
Yes. Content type is set per configuration, so a made-to-order variant can sit next to an instant-download one.
Is there a faster way for many variants?
Yes, a CSV import can link files to variants by SKU or variant ID. See Bulk add digital products and files.
Related guides
- Create a digital product, for the basic setup.
- Bulk add digital products and files, for lots of variants at once.
- Delete products or variants with linked files, to clean up configurations.
