Converting Prefixed Tags to List Metafields

Shopify stores have long used prefixed tags to store additional data for products. A prefixed tag is a tag like size:XL or size:M and is often used for things like product filtering in themes.

With the introduction of the 'list of strings' metafield type, more themes and apps are requiring that this data be stored in metafields instead of in prefixed tags.

Ablestar Bulk Product Editor allows you to convert a list of prefixed tags into a list metafields.

Create Metafield Definition

If you don't have one already, from the Shopify Admin dashboard, click the Settings gear icon → Custom data menu → Products section → Add definition button. Click the + Select Type button and choose 'Single line of text':

Refresh and Sync Data

From the Ablestar Bulk Product Editor navigation menu:

1. Click 'Settings' from the navigation menu
2. Select the Metafields section
3. Click the Refresh button

Wait a few seconds for the new metafield definitions to appear. Once refreshed you can edit with prefixed tags.

See other fields that will require a manual sync.

Convert Prefix Tags to Metafield Lists

Filter your set of products from the 'Products' view and then click to Edit products. From the 'Configure modifications' view, fill these fields:

1. Field to edit: specify the list metafield that you want to convert the prefixed data to
2. How to edit: select 'Set from prefixed tags'
3. Tag Prefix: enter the fixed prefix for your tags. For example, if you have the tag size:XL , the prefix would be size:

Verify the preview below the editor is correct and then click on the Run edit button to process changes.

The system will look for all tags that match the tag prefix, and then remove the tag prefix, sort the values and then set those values as the metafield list.

You can monitor the progress, cancel or undo your edit directly in the app.

✅ Tips and Troubleshooting

• If you make metafield definition changes, we recommend a manual refresh from our 'Settings' navigation menu → Metafields section → Refresh button
• Click the Undo button if you need to start over and learn how to find a History of bulk edits.

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