No, you can’t use variant properties as dynamic sources.
I wonder how you were able to even add that reference though.
To do what you want there is a bunch of app, one of them is “Variant descriptions” …
Alternatively for Dawn family themes, you can use “Custom Liquid” block/section and use this code:
{% # id must be unique %}
<variant-data class="rte" id="realism-{{section.id}}">
{{ product.selected_or_first_available_variant.metafields.custom.realism }}
</variant-data>
<script>
if (!window.defineVariantData ) {
window.defineVariantData = () => {
if (!customElements.get('variant-data')) {
class VariantData extends HTMLElement {
constructor() { super(); }
connectedCallback(){
subscribe(PUB_SUB_EVENTS.variantChange, ({data}) => {
const newContent = data.html.getElementById(this.id)?.innerHTML;
if (newContent) this.innerHTML = newContent;
});
}
}
customElements.define('variant-data', VariantData )
};
}
if (document.readyState == "complete") defineVariantData()
else window.addEventListener('load', defineVariantData );
}
</script>
Demo – Look at the “Available at 14 Lyndon St” here, above the title
Similar solution for Horizon family themes: Please help me with this variant metafield code fix - #2 by tim_1
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