Configurable Products
A configurable product looks like a single product with drop-down lists of options for each variation. Each option is actually a separate simple product with a unique SKU, which makes it possible to track inventory for each product variation. You can achieve a similar effect by using a simple product with custom options but without the possibility to track inventory for each variation.
For example, you want to sell a t-shirt in two colors and three sizes. In this case, you have to create six simple products (each with its own SKU) and then add these six products to a configurable product. Thus your customers will be able to choose the size and color of the product.
Creating a Configurable Product
1. Create or edit an attribute set.
Create attributes/attribute set for the current configurable product. In our example, it is Default.
Requirements to the product variation attribute:
Scope - Global
Catalog Input Type for Store Owner - Dropdown, Visual Swatch, or Text Swatch
Values Required -Yes
For how to create an attribute set, visit our attributes or attribute sets page.
2. Create/Edit Simple Products.
After creating attributes/attribute sets, create simple products that will be associated to a configurable product.
Simple products must belong to the same attribute set that you've selected in the first step.
Note: You cannot create simple products in other attribute sets. You will not be able to select these products for your configurable product.
3. Create/Edit Magento Configurable Product.
After creating all simple products, click the [Add Product] button. In the "Product Type" field, select "Configurable Product".
The attribute set has to be the same you had used to create simple products in the previous step. In our example, it is the Default one.
4. Assign simple products to the configurable product.
Now you have to assign simple products to the Magento configurable product.
Select the product in the grid and switch to the "Associated Products" tab.
5. Select configurable attributes.
Press [Select Configurable Attributes] and in the open dialog check the configurable attributes that will be used to create options:
Note: if you try to create associated products without specifying configurable attributes, you will get the warning:
After you press [OK], selected configurable attributes will appear in the right pane under Super Product Attributes Configuration:
Adding/Editing Associated Products (Combinations)
Store Manager offers a number of options to add/edit configurable products.
Add associated products
This option allows adding associated products from the list of existing simple products.
Pressing the + icon opens a list of simple products with the same attribute set as in the configurable product.
You can add a simple product to the configurable product (if it wasn't added to this configurable product yet).
Create Associated Products
This option allows generating combinations based on selected attributes.
Pressing the button opens a window where you can create associated (simple) products.
First, select attribute values that will be used to generate product combinations.
Next, configure the settings for the combinations in the right pane:
Select a method to generate combination SKU:
Parent SKU + Attribute Option Label
Parent SKU + Attribute Option ID
Parent SKU + Attribute Option ID + Attribute Option Label
Choose options for the price and quantity:
If you select the options Apply unique Price/Qty by attribute to each SKU, there appear drop-downs with attribute options.
Choosing an option makes the corresponding field in the left pane editable. Thus you can set a unique price/Qty for each option value:
Configure image settings for the combinations:
Clear associated products before creation - if you check this option, all existing connections to the associated products will be removed.
To preview generated combinations, press [Next]:
To create associated products with the current settings, press [Generate]. After the process is complete, generated combinations will appear in the grid.
Create empty - pressing the icon opens a window for adding a new simple product. After you fill in product details and press [OK], the product will be associated with the configurable product.
Copy from configurable - opens a window to add new product with product details prefilled with data from the configurable product:
Go to product - moves you to the selected simple product in the grid.
Please, also check for some useful articles here:
Create Magento Configurable Products Easily
Magento Product Types. What is Magento Configurable Product in plain words?
What is Magento Configurable Product? How to Create Magento Configurable Product?
Simple Products with Custom Options VS Configurable Products
What Is an Easy Way of Converting Magento Simple Products into Configurable?
How to Add Another Dropdown/Variant to Existing Magento Configurable Products