Adding definition to metafields without a definition

Technical Q&A

Topic summary

Main issue: Converting Shopify product metafields created by apps (without definitions) into metafields with definitions using the Admin’s “Add definition” button.

Key concerns:

  • Whether defining them will change the key/path structure (e.g., product.metafields.product.additional_image) and break existing storefront references.
  • Ensuring no data loss during conversion, as these metafields are currently used to display information.
  • Focus on keys starting with the namespace “product” (e.g., product.additional_image) to replace reliance on a paid app.

Context/details:

  • A screenshot shows the Shopify UI listing current metafields and the option to add a definition, which is central to the user’s action.

Status/outcome:

  • No confirmation or guidance provided yet in the thread.
  • The question remains open: Will adding definitions preserve the existing structure and data, allowing safe migration away from the app?
Summarized with AI on December 27. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hello!

I have these metafields without definitions generated from different apps, but now I would like to convert those that start with “product” (e.g., product.additional_image) to metafields with definitions. I see there is a button that could do that, but before doing this, I would like to be sure that it will not change the structure of the metafield (e.g., product.metafields.product.additional_image) because we already use those metafields to display that information in our store.

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I would like to do this because I plan to stop paying for this app, and I don’t want to lose all the data in the product metafields by just converting them to my custom metafields.