The three stock columns answer different questions
`In stock?` is stock status, `Stock` controls stock management and quantity, and `Backorders allowed?` controls backordering. This checker validates each field against the core WooCommerce CSV forms such as 1/0, numeric values, `parent`, and `notify`.
It catches mistakes like putting a quantity value into a Boolean status column.
Blank Stock and zero Stock are not the same
In the core CSV, blank Stock disables stock management, while a numeric value enables stock management. `0` therefore means a managed quantity of zero rather than “no stock management.”
For a variation, `parent` inherits the parent stock configuration. Using `parent` on a non-variation is flagged for review.
Negative stock is still numeric
WooCommerce stock quantities can be negative internally, so this checker does not reject `-2` merely as a number-format error. Negative inventory may be legitimate with backorders or existing store state.
Whether negative stock is operationally correct is a separate business-rule question.
Example: accepting orders at zero stock
If Stock is 0 and Backorders allowed? is `1` or `notify`, verify that accepting orders after stock reaches zero is intentional. If Stock is blank on a product you expected to manage, the import can disable quantity management instead.
Test a small batch and confirm the resulting stock settings in WooCommerce before a catalog-wide update.