When importing or exporting Shopify Metaobjects, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of the data at hand. Any errors in your import file could lead to unexpected issues within your store and your metaobjects import and export.
This article provides a detailed overview of the data columns that can be imported or exported using the StoreRobo Import Export Suite.
>> Download sample CSVBasic columns
Basic columns in a Shopify metaobjects export file typically contain the core metaobjects information essential for managing metadata in your store.
| Column | Explanation | Allowed values / Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ID | Unique character generated by Shopify to identify each Metaobject entry. This can be used to import, identify, and update existing Metaobject entries. When importing new Metaobjects, leave this column empty. | Allowed values: Number Example: 232342332 |
| Handle | The unique handle of the Metaobject.when you’re adding a new Metaobject in Shopify, if you don’t specify a handle (leave it empty), Shopify will automatically create a handle based on the Metaobject’s Display Name. The handle is a unique identifier, but its uniqueness is only within the same Metaobject definition. This means that two different Metaobject definitions can have Metaobjects with the same handle, but within the same definition, each Metaobject must have a unique handle. When you want to update an existing Metaobject during an import, you can use the handle to identify which Metaobject you want to update. However, since the handle is only unique within the same Metaobject definition, you also need to specify either the “Definition: Handle” or the “Definition: Name” in your import file. | Allowed values: Text Example: van-heusen |
Display NameExport only | This is the name that will be shown for the Metaobject when it’s used or displayed in Shopify. You can’t manually set or update the Display Name when managing Metaobjects. Instead, Shopify automatically assigns the Display Name based on the value of a specific field within the Metaobject. This field is predefined in the Metaobject definition. | Allowed values: Text Example: Van Heusen |
| Status | This indicates the current state of the Metaobject. Active (Default Status): When you create a new Metaobject, its status is automatically set to Active. This means the Metaobject is ready to be displayed in your store. However, even though it’s active, it won’t be visible to customers until you explicitly publish it. Draft: If a Metaobject is set to Draft status, it is not yet ready for display. You won’t be able to publish a Metaobject with this status to your store, meaning it remains hidden from customers. | Allowed values:ActiveDraftExample: Draft |
Updated AtExport only | It records the exact date and time when the Metaobject was last updated. The timestamp is based on the store’s timezone. You cannot manually change the value of this field. It automatically updates whenever any change is made to the Metaobject. | Allowed values: Date & Time Example: 2018-12-17 18:20:07 +0200 |
| Definition Handle | The unique identifier (handle) of the Metaobject definition is linked to a specific Metaobject entry. This definition outlines the structure and fields that a Metaobject can have. When creating a new Metaobject entry, you need to specify the Definition Handle to link the Metaobject to the appropriate definition. This ensures that the Metaobject is correctly associated with the predefined structure and fields of that definition. Once a Metaobject entry is linked to a specific definition by setting its Definition Handle, this link is permanent. It is not possible to change the definition for an existing Metaobject entry. Therefore, the Metaobject will always adhere to the structure and rules of the initially assigned definition. | Allowed values: Text Example: mens-fashion |
Definition NameExport only | Refers to the human-readable name of the Metaobject definition that a specific Metaobject entry is linked to. Similar to the Definition: Handle, when you create a new Metaobject entry, you must specify the definition it is linked to. This is usually done by specifying the Definition: Handle, but this field will show the corresponding name of that definition.Once a Metaobject entry is associated with a specific definition, this link is permanent. You cannot change the definition for an existing Metaobject entry. | Allowed values: Text Example: Mens Fashion |
| Field | This represents a particular piece of data within a Metaobject, identified by a key that is specified in the Metaobject definition. Each field in a Metaobject has a unique key that corresponds to the type of data it holds (e.g., text, number, image). | Allowed values: Text Example: description |
| Value | This is the actual data that you input for a particular field in a Metaobject entry. Each field in the Metaobject definition has specific criteria or validations that the value must meet. The value you provide must match the type and restrictions set in the Metaobject definition. For example, if a field is defined to hold an integer, the value must be a whole number. If the field is defined as text, the value should be a string. | Allowed values: Type specified in the Metaobject definition Example: A coat made with Kevlar |
