The published field is mapped for vendors to hide specific column names or column indexes from publishing in Shopify Store.
The below picture shows, especially the highlighted with red color box, the vendors can indicate the column name or index as 'Price' or 7 based on the product feed file.
When doing Add Product Feed, it's up to the vendors to choose this field for them to hide any column name in the feed file.
Add value indicator to publish/unpublish
By adding this Published field when adding the product feed process, there are also more settings available for publishing or unpublish by adding a value indicator.
1. Publish value indicator
Publish value indicator is for the show, publish, and back-in-stock. The value of 1 is inclusive of 1 and the number greater than 1. There is some values are used to indicate a given field as shown in the below figure so that the column name or index will be published.
By default, it will show up as true. If you want to disable it, enter it as false.
For Example:
A. For publishes, you can use show, back-in-stock, publish, and 1 as the value indicator.
2. Unpublish value indicator
The unpublished value indicator will not be unpublished if the quantity is still available unless force unpublished is enabled. There is some values are used to indicate in a given field as shown in below figure so that the column name or index will not be published.
By default, it will show up as false. If you want to enable it, enter it as true.
For Example:
A. If your cell is empty, you can use the <empty> value indicator to replace the empty cell.
B. The <auto_quantity> will auto-set the product as published or unpublished based on the quantity available.
This is a granular feature compared to the auto publish all products or matching products within feed file.C. Then, you also can use 0, hide, unpublish, and out-of-stock as the value indicator.
3. Force unpublished when quality is still available
By enabling the toggle icon, it will automatically be unpublished when the quantity is still available in the feed file.
Can publish products automatically to sales channels?
Requires write_publications access scope. This scope is currently available only for private apps installed on Shopify Plus stores. Contact Shopify Partner Support to enable the scope for your app.