Adobe's CSV pages last updated Jun 11, 2026 · read on Oct 4, 2026
The Adobe Stock CSV: exact columns, limits and how to upload it
The Adobe Stock CSV is a .csv file with one row per uploaded file and the columns Filename, Title and Keywords, plus optional Category and Releases. It must be UTF-8, at most 1 MB and 5,000 rows. You upload it in the Contributor Portal under Uploaded Files, New, Upload CSV.
Skip the spreadsheet: {brand} writes the title, keywords and CSV for every image
- 1Create the image
- 2Own upscaler, up to 4x
- 3Title + keywords
- 4Upload to Adobe
- Title, keywords and CSV are free
- No credits used
- 2 images + 2 upscales to try
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Last reviewed 2026-10-04
Title58/70
Remote worker typing on a laptop at a bright kitchen table
Example
Keywords49/49
- 5,000
- rows at most in one CSV file, with one row per uploaded file
- 1 MB
- is the maximum size of the CSV file
- 70
- characters at most in each title, with no commas or special characters
- 50
- keywords at most per row, ordered by importance (the first 10 count most)
What are the Adobe Stock CSV file requirements?
| Requirement | What Adobe specifies |
|---|---|
| File format | CSV only (comma-separated values), with the extension .csv |
| Rejected formats | .xls, .xlsx and other spreadsheet formats |
| Maximum rows | 5,000 rows per file |
| Maximum file size | 1 MB |
| Character encoding | UTF-8 (required for non-US Excel users): save as “CSV UTF-8”, or open in Notepad and re-save as CSV UTF-8 |
| Headers | Use the exact headers of the official template, without renaming or translating them |
| One row per file | Each row describes one uploaded asset |
| File name | Something clear and without spaces, such as Name_Date.csv |
Source: Adobe Stock's “CSV requirements” and “Create a CSV file” pages (last updated Jun 11, 2026), read on October 4, 2026.
Which columns does the Adobe Stock CSV have?
Three columns are required and two are optional. We don't list any other columns because Adobe's page doesn't.
| Column | Required? | Limit | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filename | Yes | 30 characters at most | The exact file name including the extension, for example Myphoto1.jpg |
| Title | Yes | 70 characters at most | Plain text description without commas or special characters |
| Keywords | Yes | 50 keywords at most | Comma-separated list ordered by importance; be descriptive and avoid technical metadata |
| Category | No | - | The number of the category that best describes the content, from Adobe's category list |
| Releases | No | 30 characters at most | The exact file name of the model or property release; JPEG required |
If several releases share a file name, Adobe uses the most recent version. Adobe's tips page says “up to 49” keywords per submission, while the CSV page says 50: Stock Creatives stays at 49.
What does a real Adobe Stock CSV look like?
A minimal file with two AI illustrations. The first line holds the headers; the keywords sit in one cell, wrapped in quotes so their commas don't split the row. Category and Releases are optional and left empty here:
- Filename,Title,Keywords,Category,Releases
- sunrise-mountain-lake-01.jpg,Sunrise over a calm mountain lake with mist,"lake,sunrise,mountain,mist,reflection,water,landscape,nature,morning,calm,scenic,outdoors",,
- watercolor-fox-forest-02.jpg,Watercolor fox walking through an autumn forest,"fox,watercolor,autumn,forest,animal,illustration,leaves,wildlife,red fox,nature,painting,orange",,
How do I upload a CSV to Adobe Stock?
- 1Upload your images firstThe CSV connects metadata to files that are already in your account, so the images must be uploaded before the CSV. See how to upload to Adobe Stock.
- 2Create the file from Adobe's templateDownload the sample CSV template from Adobe's help page, open it in your spreadsheet, and keep the header row exactly as it is. Or let Stock Creatives write it for you.
- 3Fill in one row per imageFilename with extension, a title, and the keywords. Add Category and Releases only if you need them. For images that clear the size limits first, see the Adobe Stock minimum resolution.
- 4Save as CSV UTF-8In Excel outside the U.S., choose “CSV UTF-8”. If that option isn't there, open the file in Notepad and re-save it as CSV UTF-8.
- 5Open Uploaded Files and choose Upload CSVIn the Contributor Portal, go to Uploaded Files, open the New tab, select Upload CSV, then Choose CSV file.
- 6Refresh and checkSelect Refresh to see the metadata applied. You can update and re-upload the CSV for that batch until you reach the 5,000-row limit.
Why does my Adobe Stock CSV fail? The usual mistakes
- Filenames that don't match. They must match the uploaded files exactly, including extension and upper or lower case. Even a small typo stops the metadata from connecting.
- Filenames over 30 characters. The Filename column accepts 30 characters at most: use short names before you upload.
- Commas in the title. Adobe asks for plain text without commas or special characters.
- Keywords not in one cell. If a spreadsheet or script doesn't quote the keyword cell, its commas can split it into more columns.
- Renamed or translated headers. The header row must match Adobe's template exactly.
- Wrong file type. .xls and .xlsx are rejected: export as .csv.
- Wrong encoding. Adobe requires UTF-8 for non-US Excel users, where accents and symbols can otherwise get corrupted.
- Formulas and formatting. Adobe's checklist asks you to remove formulas and anything that can interfere with processing.
- Too big. More than 1 MB or 5,000 rows is refused: split the batch.
How Stock Creatives generates your Adobe Stock CSV
Stock Creatives is our product. It reads each image, writes a title of up to 70 characters and up to 49 keywords ranked by relevance, picks an Adobe category, and exports one CSV with the five columns of Adobe's template: Filename, Title, Keywords, Category and Releases. It's free and doesn't use credits, for images you generate here and for your own files.
Try the free stock keyword generator, review the text, then download the ZIP and CSV. Prefer not to upload by hand? Stock Creatives can also send the finished images, with title and keywords inside, to your contributor account. See the pricing.
- Five columns, one row per image
- Edit anything before you export
- Free and no credits used
Title58/70
Remote worker typing on a laptop at a bright kitchen table
Example
Keywords49/49
Frequently asked questions
What columns does the Adobe Stock CSV need?+
Filename, Title and Keywords are required. Category and Releases are optional. The header row must match Adobe's official template exactly.
What are the limits of the Adobe Stock CSV?+
Up to 5,000 rows and 1 MB per file. Filename up to 30 characters, title up to 70 characters without commas, and up to 50 keywords per row.
How do I upload a CSV to Adobe Stock?+
Upload your images first. Then in the Contributor Portal, open Uploaded Files, go to the New tab, select Upload CSV, choose the file and select Refresh to check the result.
Is the CSV required to upload to Adobe Stock?+
No, Adobe calls it optional. You can type titles and keywords in the portal, or add keywords inside the files in Lightroom or Bridge (see stock photo metadata). The CSV just saves time on big batches.
Can I make the Adobe Stock CSV in Excel or Google Sheets?+
Yes, as long as you export as .csv. Excel outside the U.S. should save as “CSV UTF-8”. Spreadsheet formats such as .xls and .xlsx are rejected.
Where do I download the Adobe Stock CSV template?+
From Adobe's “Create a CSV file for Adobe Stock” help page, which links the sample template. Don't rename the headers.
Can the CSV mark my images as AI generated?+
No. Adobe's CSV has no AI column. Tick “Created using generative AI tools” in the Contributor Portal for each AI image.
Can I generate the Adobe Stock CSV for free?+
Yes. Stock Creatives writes the title, keywords and CSV at no extra cost and without using credits. Sign up and confirm your email to also get 2 images and 2 upscales to try.
Sources
- Adobe Stock: CSV requirements (last updated Jun 11, 2026) · 2026-10-04 Read through the archived copy of Adobe's page.
- Adobe Stock: Create a CSV file (last updated Jun 11, 2026) · 2026-10-04
- Adobe Stock: Upload a CSV file (last updated Jun 11, 2026) · 2026-10-04
- Adobe Stock: Benefits of organizing content using CSV files (last updated Jun 11, 2026) · 2026-10-04
- Adobe Stock: Tips for effective titles and keywords (last updated Aug 18, 2026) · 2026-10-04
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