Only by trying the export. It will show “product” metafields, but not “variant” metafields. I currently have it set as an integer field. I tried setting it as a single line text field but it did not work. How can I check which variant metafields are supported for export and import?
Topic summary
Users are frustrated that Shopify’s native metafield feature lacks built-in bulk import/export functionality via CSV, forcing merchants to either purchase third-party apps or manually enter data.
Key Pain Points:
- Bulk editor doesn’t support pasting data, making manual entry impractical for large SKU counts
- Native CSV import can delete existing metafield data when using “overwrite” option
- Variant-level metafields (like GTIN/UPC) don’t appear in product exports
Workarounds & Solutions:
- As of 2024, native metafield export/import is possible by including metafield columns in CSV format:
Metafield:namespace.key [type] - Third-party apps like Matrixify ($20/month for 5,000 items) and DataChamp (limited free plan) offer bulk management
- Manual entry remains viable for smaller catalogs
Critical Technical Requirements:
- List-type metafields require line breaks (
\n), not commas - Column names must exactly match format:
Metafield:namespace.key [type] - Data types must be precise (e.g.,
list.single_line_text_field) - Standard spreadsheet apps (Excel, Numbers) corrupt line breaks; Python scripts or text editors recommended
- Predefined list values must match exactly (case-sensitive, no spaces)
Merchants report typical monthly costs of $125-200 including necessary apps, far exceeding base subscription pricing.