Skip to main content

Metafields Guru is now Online Store 2.0 compatible: 18 metafield types and definitions support

· 7 min read
Metafields Guru Team
Metafields Guru Team
Metafields Guru

In October 2021, Metafields Guru became compatible with Shopify's Online Store 2.0, the platform update that redesigned metafields from 3 basic types into 18 structured types. This update covers what changed for merchants and theme developers: the new metafield types, Shopify's new metafield definitions (and their limits), and the API/Liquid changes developers need to know about.

What's new at a glance​

  • Online Store 2.0 compatibility - Metafields Guru now works with Shopify's redesigned metafields platform.
  • 18 metafield types available, up from the original 3 (string, integer, json_string).
  • Shopify metafield definitions support, including through metafield sets.
  • API and Liquid updates - REST, GraphQL, Storefront APIs, and Shopify Liquid were all updated to match the new metafield object.

Online Store 2.0 banner: all 18 new metafield types supported by manual editor, metafield sets, and bulk editor, shown alongside the metafields list, color picker, and file reference field types

Big news from Metafields Guru team: we're thrilled to announce that our app is now compatible with Online Store 2.0

Let's see what it means for both Shopify merchants and theme developers.

New metafield types​

There used to be 3 metafield types:

  1. string
  2. integer
  3. json_string

Now that Shopify has totally redesigned metafields, we have 18 different types:

  1. Single line text
  2. Multi-line text
  3. Page reference
  4. Product reference
  5. Variant reference
  6. File reference
  7. Integer
  8. Decimal
  9. Date
  10. Date and time
  11. URL
  12. JSON string
  13. Boolean
  14. Color
  15. Weight
  16. Volume
  17. Dimension
  18. Rating

Metafields definitions​

Recently introduced by Shopify, metafield definitions act as templates that specify what part of your store a metafield applies to and what values the metafield can have. Before you can add metafield values to specific products, orders, or other parts of your store, you first need to add the metafield definition for that information. Adding metafield definitions ensures that the same validation rules apply to every value that you enter for a specific metafield.

Sounds great, however, there are some drawbacks:

  1. merchants can only have up to 10 pinned metafield definitions
  2. the total number of Shopify metafield definitions is limited to 100.

Luckily, you can get more control over metafields and edit data with no limits using our metafield sets. Yet another cool thing about metafield sets is that they support Shopify metafield definitions too! Which is great as it helps to remove the 10 pinned metafields limit.

You may want to make sure that your theme is Online Store 2.0 compatible prior to switching to new metafield types. The best way to learn whether your theme is Online Store 2.0 compatible or not is to reach out to your theme developer and ask them directly.

What's new for developers?​

REST, GraphQL and storefront APIs were updated to match the recent changes in metafield object.

Shopify Liquid was updated too, which means that you would need to update the code you have created for your clients in order to make their stores OS 2.0 compatible.

FAQ​

How many metafield types does Shopify support after Online Store 2.0?​

18 types: Single line text, Multi-line text, Page reference, Product reference, Variant reference, File reference, Integer, Decimal, Date, Date and time, URL, JSON string, Boolean, Color, Weight, Volume, Dimension, and Rating - up from the original 3 (string, integer, json_string).

What is a Shopify metafield definition?​

A metafield definition is a template that specifies what part of your store a metafield applies to and what values it can have. You need to add a metafield definition before adding metafield values for a specific piece of information, and definitions ensure the same validation rules apply to every value entered for that metafield.

What are the limits on Shopify metafield definitions?​

Merchants can only have up to 10 pinned metafield definitions, and the total number of Shopify metafield definitions is limited to 100.

How do metafield sets help with the pinned metafield definitions limit?​

Metafield sets support Shopify metafield definitions, which helps remove the 10 pinned metafields limit while still giving you full control over metafields with no editing limits.

What changed for developers with Online Store 2.0 metafields?​

Shopify's REST, GraphQL, and Storefront APIs were updated to match the changes in the metafield object, and Shopify Liquid was updated too - meaning theme code needs to be updated for stores to be Online Store 2.0 compatible.

Try it​

Open Metafields Guru from your Shopify admin to manage all 18 Online Store 2.0 metafield types, or set up a metafield set to work around Shopify's pinned-definitions limit. New to Metafields Guru? Install it from the Shopify App Store.