Unfortunately Magento does not have the function built into its setup to allow you the option to change a products attribute set once you have created a simple product.

So you need to either create the configurable product you want in the first place or alter Magento so you can change a products type

Solution 1

With the following coding updates, you can add the functionality to change a simple products attribute set directly on the Catalog > Manage Products page:

Click here for article and code

This code is untested but seems like a lot of people use it.

Solution 2

Use an extension which has all the code alterations done for you. The reduces the risk of damaging you site. THe follwoing Extension does just that.

Flagbit Change Attribute Set

Case Study

Question

I have inserted many products (T shirts) as simple products , without entering any special attributes. i now want to create configurable products for various T shirts so that customers can pick a color ( various t shirts come in various color options ).

• can i add new attributes to these simple products.
• I have tried using the add new attribute but , it added the attribute to all products in the shop , and also did not appear when i created a new configurable product.
• i read the tutorial that explains how to do these ( 1. create attributes 2. create simple products 3. create config product) , but is it possible to do it in a different order.

if it is not possible , than what happens if in the future i have another attribute i need to add to the config product (v neck vs regular neck)?

Answer

Yes you can always add attributes to a product once it is created, but remember attributes are assigned based on an “Attribute Set” not on a per-product basis, so if you’re products are all using the Default attribute set and you add an attribute to that set it is also added to all the products in that set.

NOTE: If you want an attribute to be available when creating a configurable product, “Only attributes with scope “Global”, input type “Dropdown” and Use To Create Configurable Product “Yes” are available.”

The key here is to set up good attribute sets before creating your products because, to my knowledge, you cannot change a product’s attribute set after the product has been created. Hope that helps.

However as we now know we can actually change a products type with the methods laid out above.