How can I create a form to fill meta-object fields in a store?

[mmorales1980]

Hello, I am starting my learning in the world of shopify-liquid. I am currently working on a store where a meta object with several fields was created. I need to create a page or section or form to fill those fields through the store but I don't know how to direct the information to be saved in the meta object. (Registration of foundations)

Additionally, I am including a select field, in the section where the accounts are registered. Since my account to register must select a meta-object (Foundation) that you want to support.

I would like you to help me in some way to be able to do this. Code or procedures.

I have found apps that make shapes but I need my accounts and foundations to have a relationship, that's why I don't choose an app

Thank you,

[PaulNewton · Accepted solution]

The online sales channel cannot accept arbitrary data to populate backend admin data.

You would need an app to bridge this gap such as Helium Customer Fields app , or the usemechanic automation scripting app example: trigger some task from a contact form. 

Metaobjects are only be rendered to the frontend as content,  there's not a direct native way to have metaobject values changed by input from customers.

A possible workaround that works ONLY at the customer registration step is to add hidden inputs that tag the customer* and parse those tags in shopify flow to try and populate metaobjects using the send-http-request action to work with metaobjects through the api, or simpler just update a shop metafield. 

In the future if shopify-flow adds trigger for contact form's, or actions for metaobjects** it would be possible to work around this differently with native features.

* search the forums for discussion about tagging customers at registration, noting that customers cannot update these tags. 

**https://community.shopify.com/c/shopify-flow-app/metaobjects-in-shopify-flow/td-p/2088170 

[mmorales1980]

Thanks Paul,

So if it will be necessary to use an application for this. I would like to tell you about the process and functionality so that you can recommend something to me based on your extensive journey and experience.

The objective of the website is that buyers can register and choose a (foundation, school or church) to help with their purchases. Additionally, on the same site you can register said foundations and pass an evaluation and are approved by our research team since donations will be made according to purchases and the buyer that the foundation has chosen.

After some way, when you are making a payment, you must be informed that you are supporting the foundation you chose or you can choose another one before doing the final step.

Internally I must keep track of how much each foundation is accumulating for each end of the month to write the check to the foundation.

Do you think your recommendation of the Helium App would help me with all that. Or will another app be necessary for this process?

Thank you very much in advance for your support.

[PaulNewton]

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@mmorales1980 wrote:

The objective of the website is that buyers can register and choose a (foundation, school or church) to help with their purchases

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Meaning customers are be able to choose to donate part of the payment for a purchase to a charity. "donate to a charity" is the verbiage you want to use in searching discussions.

Saying "to help with their purchase" can imply a foundation is paying part of the customers bill , such as customer struggling with financial issues needing food.

Yes an app like helium can help, or maybe another one but you have to do the legwork of testing them.

Also use line-item-properties or cart attributes , or literal products representing the foundations , on the orders so there is an audit trail.

Beyond that there's too many moving parts in that process for me to spend time on.

You would need search/create posts on specific parts and narrow any questions.

[Kate2023]

Hi Mmorales1980,

What if you created a variant call cause or Choose Who Your Order Supports or something like that? If you have a set rate you donate, example 10% of sales, you can do a quick filter every week or month to figureout cheque amounts. 

Click Analytics > Customize > Product Variants By Gross Sales > Save

Make a couple test orders. The awesome part, someone can choose more then one cause to support per order.  At the time you need the report, go to:

Analytics > Product Variants By Gross Sales > View Report (Paper symbol) > Filter (Three lines going from biggest to smallest) > Change Sale Item Type to Variant Title > Search name of Church or whatever cause name it is that was listed in the variant > Check all products with the variant > Apply filter > Now you can see the Summary which includes Gross and Net Sales. > A little math: Amount of Net Sales or Gross x .10 = $Check amount for that Cause. 

Not a perfect solution, can't save the filter to make it easier the next time. But it works. You can print, export, or save your results. That helps with the paper trail. 

Keep up the great work on supporting your community! Let me know if you find a better solution. I could use one too.