Metafield Definitions dashboard
The Metafield Definitions dashboard brings your custom-data schema from all your connected Shopify stores into one list. A metafield definition is the shape of a metafield — its owner type, namespace, key and data type — and this dashboard lets you audit that schema across every store at once, instead of clicking through each store's custom-data settings.
Opening the dashboard
In the left sidebar, go to Content → Metafield definitions, or visit
/content/metafield-definitions directly.
What you'll see
Each row is one metafield definition, with these columns:
| Column | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Name | The definition's display name. |
| Store | Which connected store the definition belongs to. |
| Namespace / key | The definition's namespace and key (its identifier). |
| Owner type | The kind of record the definition applies to (e.g. product, customer, order, collection). |
| Type | The data type the definition enforces (e.g. single_line_text_field, number_integer). |
| Metafields | How many metafields currently use this definition. |
| Validation status | Whether the values are all valid, some invalid, or still being checked. |
| Last updated | When the definition was last changed. |
Use the column picker to show, hide, and reorder columns — including extras like whether the definition is pinned or used as a collection condition — and set your default sort. The dashboard remembers your choice.
Filtering and searching
Narrow the list down and turn common questions into one click:
- Stores — focus on a single store, or leave it off to see them all.
- Owner Type — show only definitions for products, customers, orders and so on.
- Validation Status — surface definitions with invalid values.
- Namespace and Type — find a namespace or data type across every store.
- Pinned and Collection Condition — filter by those definition flags.
- Created At and Updated At — limit to a time range.
The search box matches inside the definition name (contains).
Exporting
Open the Export Builder from the dashboard to download metafield definitions as CSV or Excel. You choose the scope:
- Current page — just what's on screen.
- Filtered — everything matching your current filters.
- Selected — only the rows you tick.
- All metafield definitions — the full list across your stores.
Pick the columns you want, and download. If you export the same shape regularly, save it as a template so it's one click next time.
Tutorial: audit your product custom-data schema across every store
A quick walkthrough of a common job — checking which product metafield definitions exist across all your stores and exporting the list.
- Open Content → Metafield definitions from the sidebar.
- Set the Owner Type filter to product so you only see product definitions.
- Leave the Store filter off to compare across every store at once.
- Add the Validation Status filter set to "Some invalid" if you want to find definitions that have values needing attention.
- Click the Namespace / key or Store column header to sort so matching definitions line up for comparison.
- Open the Export Builder, choose the Filtered scope, pick your columns, and download a CSV or Excel — a schema audit you can share or diff.
Permissions
Account owners always have access. For team members, access is controlled by the View Metafields permission — the same permission that controls the Metafields dashboard. Without it, opening the dashboard shows a "no access" message. Grant it from your team member's permissions.
FAQ
Does the Metafield Definitions dashboard show definitions from all my stores at once? Yes — every connected store's definitions land in one list. Filter by Store when you want to focus on a single store.
What's the difference between this and the Metafields dashboard? Metafield definitions are the schema — the shape of a metafield (owner type, namespace, key, data type). The Metafields dashboard shows the actual values stored against that schema.
Why does a definition show a validation status of "Some invalid"? That means one or more metafields using the definition hold values that don't satisfy the definition's rules. Filter by Validation Status to find them, then fix the values in Shopify.
Can I export only the definitions I've filtered to? Yes. Open the Export Builder and choose the Filtered scope to export exactly what matches your current filters — or Selected for just the rows you tick.
Can team members see this dashboard? Only if they have the View Metafields permission. Account owners always have access.