How to Display Metafields in Shopify

Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding Metafields
- Adding Metafields to Your Shopify Store
- Displaying Metafields Using Theme Editor
- Editing Your Theme Code to Display Metafields
- Managing Metafields Across Your Store
- Displaying Custom Metafields in Unique Ways
- Conclusion
Introduction
Imagine running a thriving online store where customers can see detailed product information such as dimensions, materials, or even ethical sourcing details right on the product page. This is the power of metafields in Shopify. They allow you to add and display customized information, enhancing the user experience and potentially boosting sales. In this guide, you'll learn how to display metafields in Shopify, whether you’re using the new Online Store 2.0 themes or older vintage themes.
By the end of this article, you’ll know how to:
- Connect metafields to your theme using the theme editor.
- Edit your theme code to display metafields.
- Manage metafields across various parts of your store.
- Optimize the user experience by effectively using metafields.
Let's dive in and see how you can leverage metafields to create a more engaging and informative Shopify store.
Understanding Metafields
Metafields in Shopify offer a way to add extra data to objects like products, collections, orders, customers, and more. This additional data can be used to display custom information that wouldn’t usually fit into standard fields provided by Shopify.
Types of Metafields
Metafields can hold various types of data including:
- Text: Simple text data.
- Numbers: Numeric values.
- URLs: Web addresses.
- References: Links to other objects within your store.
- JSON: For more complex data structures.
Standard vs. Custom Definitions
Shopify offers standard definitions for common metafield uses, but you can also create custom definitions to tailor metafields exactly to your needs. While standard definitions are easier to integrate and use, custom definitions offer more flexibility.
Adding Metafields to Your Shopify Store
Before displaying metafields, you need to add them to your Shopify admin panel.
Steps to Add Metafields
-
Navigate to Custom Data Settings: Go to
Settings
at the bottom left of your Shopify admin, then head toCustom Data > Metafields
. - Select Metafield Type: Choose the type of object you want to add metafields to (e.g., Products, Collections).
-
Create Definition: Click
Add definition
, then provide a name, namespace, key, and type for your new metafield. - Add Validations: Optionally, you can set validation rules to restrict the type of data entered.
-
Save: Click
Save
to finalize your new metafield.
Displaying Metafields Using Theme Editor
If you’re using a Shopify Online Store 2.0 theme, displaying metafields can be done directly from the theme editor without requiring any coding.
Steps to Display Metafields with Theme Editor
-
Open Theme Editor: Go to
Online Store > Themes
and click onCustomize
for your current theme. - Select Product Template: Navigate to the product template you want to edit.
-
Add Content Block: In the
Template > Product Information
section, add a new block for text or any other supported metafield type. - Connect Metafield: Click the 'Add dynamic source' icon and select the metafield you want to display.
Your metafield should now be visible on the product page.
Editing Your Theme Code to Display Metafields
For themes that do not support metafields out of the box, or if you need finer control over how they appear, you may need to edit your theme code.
Steps to Edit Theme Code
-
Access Theme Code: Go to
Online Store > Themes
, then click onActions > Edit code
. -
Find Relevant File: Locate the liquid file for the product template (e.g.,
product-template.liquid
). -
Insert Metafield Code:
<div class="product-metafields"> <p>Height: {{ product.metafields.global.height }}</p> <p>Width: {{ product.metafields.global.width }}</p> <p>Depth: {{ product.metafields.global.depth }}</p> </div>
- Save Changes: Once you’ve inserted the code, save the changes and review your product pages to ensure the metafields appear as expected.
Managing Metafields Across Your Store
Metafields aren’t just for products. You can apply them to various parts of your store, such as collections, orders, and customers, to provide richer information and personalized experiences.
Bulk Editing Metafields
Managing metafields for multiple products can be time-consuming if done individually. Shopify offers bulk editing features that simplify this process.
-
Select Products: Go to
Products
in your Shopify admin and select the products you want to edit. -
Bulk Edit: Use the
Bulk edit
option and add the metafield columns you need. - Update Values: Enter the new values for the selected products and save your changes.
Displaying Custom Metafields in Unique Ways
Beyond text, you can use metafields to display images, links, and even vendor details, thereby creating a richer and more engaging product page.
Example: Displaying Product Material
If you sell furniture, you might want to display the material each piece is made from:
-
Create Metafield: Add a metafield for
material
in theProducts
section. -
Edit Product Template:
<div class="product-material"> <p>Material: {{ product.metafields.custom.material }}</p> </div>
- Save and Review: Save your changes and check your product pages.
Conclusion
Metafields are a powerful tool in Shopify that allow you to customize and enrich your online store. From adding dimensions and materials to showcasing brand assets, they provide flexibility and enhance the user experience. By following the steps outlined above, you can start displaying metafields in your Shopify store efficiently.
Leveraging metafields can set your store apart from competitors, provide customers with all necessary details at a glance, and boost your overall customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
FAQ Section
Q1: What are Shopify metafields? A: Shopify metafields are custom fields that allow you to add additional information to various objects within your store, such as products, collections, and customers.
Q2: How do I create metafields?
A: Navigate to Settings > Custom Data > Metafields
in your Shopify admin, then select the type of object you want to add metafields to and create a definition.
Q3: Can metafields improve my store's SEO? A: Yes, metafield data is crawlable by Google, which can enhance your site's SEO by providing more detailed information to search engines.
Q4: How can I bulk edit metafields? A: Use the bulk edit feature in Shopify by selecting multiple products, adding the metafield columns, and entering the new values.
Q5: Do I need coding skills to use metafields? A: No coding is required when using the Online Store 2.0 theme editor. However, for older themes or advanced customization, some coding knowledge may be necessary.
Discover more customization possibilities.
Whether you’re looking to create a unique storefront, improve operations or tailor your Shopify store to better meet customer needs, you’ll find insightful information and expert tips here.

Comprehensive Guide to Shopify Import Metafields CSV

Shopify Image Metafields: The Ultimate Guide

Efficiently Using Shopify GraphQL to Retrieve Product Metafields

Shopify How to Make a Custom Gift Card

Unlocking the Power of Shopify GraphQL Product Metafields

Shopify GraphQL: Revolutionizing E-commerce Development

Maximizing Your Shopify Store with Global Metafields

Shopify Flow Metafields: Enhancing Automation with Custom Data

Shopify Filter Products by Metafield

Shopify if Metafield Exists: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Filter Metafield: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify GraphQL Update Metafield

Shopify Customize Product Page: The Ultimate Guide

Shopify Custom Page Template: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Draft Orders: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Custom Metafields: Unleashing the Power of Personalization for Your Store

Shopify Edit Product Metafields: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Dynamic Metafields — A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Customer Account Fields: A Comprehensive Guide

The Comprehensive Guide to Adding a Shopify Custom Text Field

How to Shopify Customize Collection Page for a Standout Online Store

Shopify Custom Page Builder: Unleash the Power of Personalization

Shopify Contact Form Custom Fields

Shopify Custom Landing Page: Creating Effective and Engaging Landing Pages

Shopify Create Product Metafields: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering Shopify Collections with Metaobjects

Shopify Custom Checkout Fields: Enhancing User Experience

Harnessing Shopify Collection Metafields with Liquid for Advanced Customization

Shopify Checkout Page Customization App: An In-Depth Guide

Mastering Shopify Custom Form Fields

How to Efficiently Handle Shopify CSV Import Metafields

Shopify Create Metaobject: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Blog Metafields: Unlocking Custom Content for Blogs

Shopify Add Metafield to All Products: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Add Metafields to Product Pages in Shopify

Shopify Add Metafields: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Check If Metafield Exists

Shopify Bulk Import Reviews

Mastering the Shopify Admin: Your Ultimate Guide to Managing an Online Store

Shopify Bulk Import Metaobject: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Bulk Import Metafields: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Bulk Editor: An In-Depth Guide to Streamline Your eCommerce Business

Shopify Add Fields to Customer Registration Form

Mastering Product Metafields in Shopify Liquid

How to Save Shopify Webhook: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopify Access Metafields: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Add Custom Fields to Orders in Shopify

Mastering Shopify Product Update Webhooks

Shopify Accentuate Custom Fields: Elevate Your E-commerce Store Design
