Shopify lets you import and export products with a CSV file, but there's no built-in way to do the same with metaobjects. If you want to add 200 size guide entries or update every material in your store, the admin makes you do it one entry at a time.
Metaobjectify fixes that. It's a Shopify app that lets you export your metaobject entries to a CSV file, add or change them in a spreadsheet, and import the whole file back in one go. This guide walks you through the full process, from your first export to checking your import results.
Before you start
You'll need three things:
- A metaobject definition in Shopify. Go to Settings > Custom data > Metaobjects and make sure the metaobject type you want to work with already exists, with all its fields set up. The app fills in entries, so the structure has to be there first.
- The Metaobjectify app. Install it from the Shopify App Store. The free plan includes 10 imports, so you can follow along with this guide at no cost.
- A spreadsheet tool. Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, or anything else that opens a CSV file.
How to export metaobjects from Shopify to CSV
Step 1: Open Metaobjectify
After installing, open the app from the Apps section of your Shopify admin.
Step 2: Choose your metaobject and export it
Pick the metaobject type you want to work with, like "Size Guide" or "Materials," and click export. The app creates a CSV file with one row for each entry and one column for each field, and it downloads to your computer.
Always export first, even if your metaobject is empty and you only plan to add new entries. The export gives you a file with the correct columns already in place, so you know exactly what to fill in. It also doubles as a backup of your current data.
[Screenshot: choosing a metaobject and clicking Export. Alt text: "Export Shopify metaobjects to CSV with Metaobjectify"]
How to add or edit your data
Step 3: Open the file and make your changes
Open the exported CSV on your computer in Excel or Google Sheets. Now you can:
- Add new entries by adding new rows, each with its own unique handle
- Update existing entries by changing values in the rows that are already there
- Do both at once. One file can create new entries and update old ones in the same import.
Here's a simple example for a "Materials" metaobject. The first two rows already exist in the store, and the third is a new one being added:
|
handle |
name |
care_instructions |
|---|---|---|
|
organic-cotton |
Organic Cotton |
Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. |
|
linen |
Linen |
Machine wash gentle. Line dry. |
|
merino-wool |
Merino Wool |
Hand wash cold. Dry flat. |
A few tips while you're editing:
- Handles are how the app matches rows. If a row's handle matches an existing entry, that entry gets updated. If it's a new handle, a new entry is created. So don't change the handle of an entry you want to update.
- For fields that link to products or collections, just type the product or collection handle. No long IDs needed.
- Keep the column headers as they are. Renaming or deleting them makes the file harder to map.
- Watch out for Excel's auto-formatting. It can change dates and strip leading zeros from codes. Format those columns as Text before typing.
Step 4: Save the file as CSV
When you're done, save the file as a CSV. In Excel, use File > Save As and choose "CSV UTF-8" so special characters like é or ™ come through correctly. In Google Sheets, go to File > Download > Comma-separated values (.csv).
[Screenshot: the CSV open in Excel or Google Sheets with a new row added. Alt text: "Adding metaobject entries to a CSV file in Google Sheets"]
How to import metaobjects into Shopify from CSV
Step 5: Choose the same metaobject in the app
Go back to Metaobjectify and select the metaobject type you just edited. It needs to be the same type you exported, so the columns in your file line up with its fields.
Step 6: Upload your file and click Import
Upload your CSV and match each column to the right metaobject field. Your columns don't have to be in the same order as the fields, since mapping takes care of that. Then click Import.
Before anything is saved to your store, Metaobjectify checks every row. Missing required fields, broken product or collection references, and formatting problems are all flagged row by row. That way, one bad row can't quietly mess up your data.
[Screenshot: import screen with field mapping. Alt text: "Import metaobjects into Shopify from CSV with field mapping"]
Step 7: Check your results in All Jobs
Once the import runs, open the All Jobs section of the app. You'll see a full breakdown of every import and export you've run: how many rows went through successfully, which ones had errors, and what went wrong.
If a few rows failed, you don't have to start over. Fix those rows in your spreadsheet and import again. Since matching works by handle, the rows that already went through will just be updated with the same data, and nothing gets duplicated.
[Screenshot: All Jobs page showing success and error counts. Alt text: "Metaobject import results showing successful and failed rows"]
What people use this for
- Loading content in bulk, like size guides for every product type, spec sheets, or a full vendor directory
- Updating many entries at once, like a new care note across all materials or a changed supplier name
- Moving metaobjects between stores: export from one store, then import into another that has the same metaobject definition
- Keeping backups of your structured content before a big theme change or redesign
Work that takes hours when you're clicking through entries one by one takes minutes this way. One merchant told us their updates went from 2 to 3 hours down to about 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Can Shopify import metaobjects from CSV without an app?
No. Shopify's built-in CSV import works for products and customers, but not for metaobject entries. You'll need an app like Metaobjectify, or a custom script using Shopify's API.
Can I create new entries and update existing ones in the same file?
Yes. Keep the existing handles for entries you want to update, and add new rows with new handles for entries you want to create. The app handles both in one import.
Will importing the same file twice create duplicates?
No. Rows are matched by handle, so importing the same file again just updates the same entries.
How do I link a metaobject field to a product or collection?
Type the product or collection handle into that field in your CSV. You can find a product's handle in the URL of its page on your store, or in the "Search engine listing" section of the product in your Shopify admin.
How do I know if my import worked?
Open All Jobs in the app. It shows every job you've run, with the number of successful rows and the details of any errors.
How many imports can I do for free?
The free plan includes 10 imports and unlimited exports. If you work with metaobjects regularly and want a hassle-free setup, the Pro plan gives you unlimited imports, advanced validation, faster processing for large files, and priority support.
Get started
Install Metaobjectify from the Shopify App Store and try your first import for free. If you already have entries and just want to change them in bulk, read our guide on how to bulk edit metaobjects in Shopify.
We're working on new features, and we'd love to have you along. Join our waitlist using the signup form at the bottom of this page, and you'll be the first to hear when they launch.