When looking at columns available in Orders there’s a PO Number column. Where is this drawn from, ie where can I input the data for it to be shown?
Topic summary
The PO Number column in Shopify’s Orders list pulls from the internal purchase_order_number field, but populating it varies by plan and order type.
Key findings:
- The native PO field appears automatically in Draft Orders for B2B orders (customers belonging to a company)
- Standard plans may not expose this field in the Draft Orders interface
- Shopify Plus users can enable “Require a purchase order” in checkout settings
Workaround for non-B2B stores:
- Create a custom order metafield (e.g.,
custom.po_number) via Settings → Custom data → Orders - Enter PO numbers in this metafield when creating draft orders
- Use Shopify Flow to copy the custom metafield to the native
purchase_order_numberfield:- Trigger: Order created
- Condition: Check if custom PO metafield exists
- Action: Use Admin API call to write to the official PO field (not directly exposed in Flow’s standard actions)
Important limitations:
- The native PO field cannot be edited after order creation
- Setting up the Flow requires creating variables and using GraphQL API calls, which users found unintuitive
1 Like
That “PO Number” column in your Orders list is pulled from each order’s Purchase Order Number field—Shopify calls it purchase_order_number internally. Here’s how you populate it so it shows up:
In Draft Orders
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When you create a Draft Order in Shopify, there’s an Additional details section on the right-hand side.
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Under that you’ll see Purchase Order. Fill in your PO number there, then “Create order.”
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Once you convert that draft into a real order, the PO Number you entered will carry over and appear in the Orders list.
If you’re on Shopify Plus, you can enable “Require a purchase order” in Settings → Checkout
Hop this helps.
@ES1 Thanks for the reply. I dont seem to have that section. Is there a process of enabling it or is it only available to higher plans?
Hi @Anchoright
It looks like your store’s Draft Orders screen simply doesn’t expose Shopify’s built‑in Purchase Order field (that gear/“Additional details” toggle is missing), which means you won’t be able to enter a native PO Number there.
Use a Custom Metafield + Shopify Flow Automation (no code)1. Create an Order Metafield
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Go to Settings → Custom data → Orders.
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Click Add definition, name it “Purchase Order Number,” namespace/key something like custom.po_number, and choose Single line text.
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Save.
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Expose that Metafield on Draft Orders
- In your Draft Order screen you already see that metafield in the right column—enter your PO there when you save the draft or order.
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Build a Shopify Flow (free app)
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Install the Shopify Flow app from the App Store.
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Create a new workflow:
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Trigger: Order created
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Condition: order.metafield custom.po_number is present
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Action: Set order field → Purchase order number = order.metafield custom.po_number
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This will copy your custom metafield into Shopify’s native purchase_order_number field whenever an order is created (including from drafts). Once that runs, the Orders list will show it in the PO Number column.
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Hope this works for you.
The PO field is only visible for B2B orders. That is, orders where the customer belongs to a company.
Hello ES1,
Your work around makes a lot of sense. But when I try to implement it, I cannot find the PO Number field for the order in the options to create an action. The only fields that I can see that could be updated are the order notes or and order metafield.
Hello,
I want to recreate the flow, but I can’t find the action: “Set order field → Purchase order number = order.metafield custom.po_number”.
Can you help me to find it?
This is our Flow:
I don’t remember the detail of setting it up clearly now, but it is not very intuitive:
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You have to create a “variable” parameter for the custom PO metafield so that you can use it in the IF block
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You have to use an admin API call to write to the official PO parameter because it is not exposed otherwise.
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You can’t change the PO number afterwards.