1. Overview

When importing or updating product metafields that reference a Metaobject, BulkFlow needs a valid identifier to link each cell value to the correct Metaobject entry in your Shopify store. Without this link, the import will fail or leave the metafield blank.
BulkFlow supports two methods for providing this reference. Choose the one that best fits your workflow.

2. Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A BulkFlow account connected to your Shopify store.
• At least one Metaobject definition created in Shopify Admin (Content → Metaobjects).
• An import file (XLSX or CSV) with a column for the metaobject-type metafield.

3. Method 1 – Using the Full GID

The Global ID (GID) is the most reliable way to reference a Metaobject. Because each entry in Shopify has a unique numeric ID, using the full GID eliminates any ambiguity during import.

Format

gid://shopify/Metaobject/NUMERIC_ID

Example

gid://shopify/Metaobject/165262917933

How to find the Metaobject ID

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Content → Metaobjects.
2. Open the Metaobject definition you want to reference.
3. Click into the specific entry (e.g., Peter-Bloom).
4. Look at the browser URL – the number at the very end is the entry ID.
5. Copy that number and use it in the GID format above.

*
The numeric ID appears at the end of the URL in the Shopify Admin browser bar.

How to use it in your file

In your import file, paste the full GID string into the metafield column. You can add multiple GIDs on separate lines in the same cell if the metafield accepts a list of references.

Example file: "Jersey" and "Long Sleeve - 12345" entered in a metaobject-type column.

4. Method 2 – Using a Text Value and Metaobject Type

If you prefer a more human-readable file, you can identify the Metaobject entry by combining its display value with its type identifier, separated by a dash (-).

Format

[display value] - [metaobject type]

Example

Long Sleeve - 12345

How to find the Metaobject type

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Content → Metaobjects.
2. Open the Metaobject definition (not a specific entry – the definition itself).
3. Locate the* Type* field shown at the top of the definition page (e.g., Type: 12345). Click the copy icon to copy it.

In your import file, enter the value in the format: [display value] - [type].

The Metaobject type is shown under the Name field on the definition page

How it works

BulkFlow reads the value after the dash (-) and treats it as the Metaobject identifier. The text before the dash is optional – it is only there to help you read the file. The system uses the identifier after the dash to look up and link the correct entry in your store.

Example file: "Long Sleeve - 12345" entered in a metaobject-type column.

5. Tips

• Use Method 1 (GID) for maximum accuracy. The GID directly references the Metaobject entry by its unique Shopify ID, so it will never match the wrong entry – even if two entries share similar names.
• Use Method 2 for readability. If you are sharing the import file with team members who need to understand the data at a glance, the text + type format is easier to read than raw GIDs.
• The text part before the dash in Method 2 is not validated by BulkFlow – only the identifier after the dash is used. Make sure the type value matches exactly what appears in your Shopify Metaobject definition.

6. FAQs

1. Where do I find the Metaobject numeric ID?

Open the specific Metaobject entry in Shopify Admin (Content → Metaobjects), then look at the number at the end of your browser URL bar. That number is the entry ID.

2. What is the "type" in Method 2?

The type is the internal identifier of the Metaobject definition — not the entry name. It is shown on the definition page under the Name field (e.g., Type: 12345). It can be a number or a custom text handle, depending on how your store was set up.

3. Can I enter multiple Metaobject references in one cell?

Yes, if the metafield is configured to accept a list of references. Enter each GID or value-type pair on a separate line within the same cell.

4. What happens if the identifier doesn't match any entry?

BulkFlow will report an error for that row and skip it. Check that the ID or type is copied exactly - including the correct casing.

5. Which method should I use?

Method 1 (GID) is recommended for production imports where accuracy is critical. Method 2 is useful for smaller, manually edited files where readability matters.

7. Related Guides

•  How to map product metafields in BulkFlow
• How to create an 'Add New' feed to import data
• How to create an 'Update' feed to change existing records
• Feeds in BulkFlow: Overview & Usage

Updated on: 08/06/2026