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# Metafields and Variant Metafields for Products Import and Update

Before adding metafields to your import file, make sure you’ve already created their definitions in your Shopify admin. Otherwise, Shopify will treat them as **unstructured fields** and may not handle them properly.
*You can follow [Shopify’s official guide here](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/custom-data/metafields/metafield-definitions) to create definitions.*
# Adding Metafield/Variant Metafield to Your Import/Update File
### If you're using BulkFlow Template:
If you're using BulkFlow Template: You must follow the exact column format so the system can detect your metafields automatically.
* Pattern for Product Metafields: **Metafield: namespace.key**
* Pattern for Variant Metafields: **Variant Metafield: namespace.key**
|| Note: If you don't follow this format, BulkFlow will return an error for incorrect field structure.


### If you're using Other Templates:
You are allowed more flexibility in naming metafield columns (e.g., custom.material or just material).
However: You must manually map these columns in the Field Mapping step, because the system won't auto-detect metafield structures unless they follow the standard Metafield: or Variant Metafield: format.

# Notes
* You can include multiple metafields by creating multiple columns with different namespace.key.
* Capitalization does not matter (e.g., Custom.Material = custom.material)
* Parent SKUs should use metafield; variations use variant_metafield