Import / Export metafields, upload data through CSV

Shopify Discussion

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.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
21

That’s great to know, but I am more concerned about the other way around atm, as I’ve added metafields manually while growing the shop. It’ll be a pain to copy paste them manually to create a backup, also they change from time to time, so it will be tedious to keep any manual backup up to date.

22

You should be able to modify the Shopify flow to do the inverse, i.e. push metafield values into tags. A backup will then be an occasional product export since tags are part of the product export.

Of course, if you’re updating the metafields regularly then syncing metafields to tags requires a manual execution of the workflow.

1 Like
23

I was also able to convert tags to metafields using Shopify Flow, however I’m having trouble with single line text lists. For some reason I can’t add multiple values from a metafield list without overwriting one or the other.

Would anyone be able to help?

24

Will try that! Even though our meta tags are complex product descriptions with lists and tables. Let’s see how that works out…

25

Hi there,

I was looking to do the same and as of today in 2024 it is possible to export/import Shopify native Metafields.

Export a customer test with metafields in it and you will have the column in the csv file

e.g. NDIS Number (customer.metafields.custom.ndis_number)

Then during the importation process leave the same Metafield column, I just tested and it works great.

Note that column like First Name, Last Name, Default Address fields will also be overwritten during the process to leave them into your CSV.

Tested on Shopify Advanced plan.

Cheers

1 Like
26

When i “Export” CSV file i do not get any column with metafield names? :disappointed_face:

3 Likes
27

Nice one if you do have Shopify Advance Plan. But this is the basic reason for us regular plan holders have, this is also the reason why we are on this forum.

@Dan30707077

Been there, done that. No other workaround without purchasing an add-on, and also have to make sure it is compatible with your currently installed theme.

2 Likes
28

Faced the same problem, solved by using Metafields Guru to import/export metafields

29

During the 7-day Free Trial, you can test the app without any charges and limitations and you have access to all its features.

1 Like
30

Ok guys, looks like we are many having the same issue, and have resolved to manually entering meta fields, SO HERE IS A WARNING!!!

I just did a bulk upload of my products after making some changes, and I chose ‘overwrite existing products’. However, turns out that by doing this, ALL MY META DATA GOT DELETED!!!

For me, I was using meta data for warehouse location. So I now have 3 warehouses with a few thousand SKUs, and I have no idea where to find each product :disappointed_face:

In case anyone knows about a roll back option, please le me know. And don’t make the same mistake, as these meta fields are so fragile when we have no way of doing backups…

1 Like
31

This is export only! What use is that to anyone??

2 Likes
32

You can upload metafield data in bulk through a CSV file using Shopify’s built-in import feature. For more advanced options, tools like Skyvia can automate this process, allowing you to sync large amounts of data into Shopify without needing a paid app. This method simplifies managing large SKUs and bulk editing.

33

That is of no use to anyone!
They are all scammers and liars.
Nobody can import meta fields using a CSV!
That is not possible!

We are now looking around for another store system.
Shopify is in the lower midfield in almost all areas!

1 Like
34

You cannot import MetaFields…

35

Yes you can.

36

Guessing you might have already found a workaround to this issue. You can try downloading the file from this location and shopify includes meta fields.

37

As a former SAP CC shop owner I can tell you, Shopify (Plus) is awesome. It has enabled us to be much faster, much more agile and to do things that were unthinkable without a 6 figure budget.

Anyway, you can now export (some) metafields (depending on the type) and I believe import too. They have just added it. Still trying it out.

38

I know this is an old thread but I can not find anything from Shopify or in the community stating you can import metafields however Google Gemini stated it could be done and I was able to do so by following the instructions below. (note if you already have a CSV file to import you can skip exporting it from shopify and just add the metafields you want to import into your CSV file).

To import metafields into Shopify, you need to export your existing metafield data into a CSV file, then use the Shopify admin’s product import feature to upload that CSV, ensuring the columns are correctly mapped to the relevant metafield namespaces and keys within the file; this can be done directly in the Shopify admin or through a third-party app that facilitates bulk metafield management.

Key steps:

  • Create metafields:
    In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Custom data > Products > Metafields to define the necessary metafields with their corresponding namespaces and keys.

  • Export metafields:

    • Navigate to Products in your Shopify admin.

    • Select Export and choose the option to include metafields in the CSV file.

    • Download the exported CSV file.

  • Edit CSV file:

    • Open the downloaded CSV file in a spreadsheet program.

    • Ensure the column headers match the format: “Metafield Name (product.metafields..)”.

    • Update the values in the relevant columns to match your desired metafield data.

  • Import CSV file:

    • Go back to Products in your Shopify admin.

    • Select Import.

    • Choose the edited CSV file and click Upload.

    • Review the mapping between the CSV columns and Shopify fields to ensure accurate import.

39

While I agree that the approach sucks for most consumers, this is LITERALLY the foundational concept of Shopify (following Apple’s philosophy): set up a marketplace where consumers must pay extra for specific features, thus providing revenue streams for small development businesses.

40

I haven’t had this issue – I think you must only include columns of metafields that you actually want to update. Empty values might also get updated, so you must avoid those.

For backup, you can export your products. However this only works for certain metafields (on the other hand, if you can’t export the metafield, you can’t import it either, so…). I hope you have done so and can restore the data…