Metafield Product Catalog Setup Guide
A technical product catalog can combine Shopify product fields, variant metafields, and supported child fields from linked metaobjects. This example compares shelf panels by SKU, length, finish, material family, and supplier code. The interactive table helps you choose useful columns before selecting the real custom data during Table Master import.
Setup tutorial · Table Master · Updated 2026-09-07 · By Activory
Try the storefront example
Filter Oak veneer and sort Length cm. The example order is 60, 90, then 120. The material and supplier columns represent supported child fields from a linked record.
These presets are available in Table Master. Changes apply to this example only.
Use these settings in your store
Open your table view, then select Design.
- Table colors → Design template: Ocean blue.
- Cell padding: set Top, Bottom, Left, and Right to 8 px.
- Table style → Text alignment: Left.
- Table style → Rounded corners: Medium (6px).
Save the table view. Check it in your theme. Your theme controls the font and available width.
This example uses Table Master storefront code with sample data and the settings below. Your theme’s fonts and available width can change the result. Example links show their destination; purchase controls use a sample cart. Use the checks below to confirm the finished setup in your store.
Build it in Table Master
- In Table Master, choose Shopify products as the data source and select variant rows. Select the product and variant custom-data fields required below, then import the products.
- Create a table view from that database. In Column type, set text identifiers to String. Set measurements and amounts to Number. Keep each unit in its heading.
- Use Shopify product variant rows. In Custom data select the length and finish metafields.
- Expand Fields for a linked material metaobject and select the supported material-family and supplier-code fields.
- Set length as Number, add material and finish filters, and use Sync products after editing source values in Shopify.
- Save and publish the table view. Open the target page template in the theme editor. Add the Table Master app block and choose the table view. Save the theme and test the public page.
Example settings
- The starting design is Ocean blue with 8 px padding, left-aligned text, and Medium (6 px) rounded corners. In Design, choose Ocean blue under Table colors → Design template. Set all four Cell padding values to 8. Under Table style, choose Left for Text alignment and Medium (6px) for Rounded corners. Try the other presets and corner sizes above; Reset example restores this starting design.
- This example uses a standard table with Responsive table enabled and row borders. On phones, use the row control to read columns that do not fit. Use the starting design above before you compare the result.
Sample data and content
Use these values for a test. Replace them with checked product data, published destinations, and offers that your store can supply.
| Product | Variant SKU | Length cm | Finish | Material family | Supplier code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo Shelf Panel | SHELF-O60 | 60 | Natural | Oak veneer | MAT-O1 |
| Demo Shelf Panel | SHELF-O90 | 90 | Natural | Oak veneer | MAT-O1 |
| Demo Shelf Panel | SHELF-O120 | 120 | Natural | Oak veneer | MAT-O1 |
| Demo Shelf Panel | SHELF-W60 | 60 | White | Painted board | MAT-P2 |
| Demo Shelf Panel | SHELF-W90 | 90 | White | Painted board | MAT-P2 |
| Demo Shelf Panel | SHELF-S90 | 90 | Brushed | Steel | MAT-S3 |
Should a catalog column use a product field, variant field, or metaobject child field?
Use product metafields for shared facts and variant metafields for values that change with the purchase option. Use a supported metaobject child field when the value belongs to a linked record, such as a material family or supplier code. Select the child field rather than the parent reference. Shopify-managed values are edited in Shopify and refreshed manually in Table Master.
- Confirm the product and variant metafield definitions and the linked material record in Shopify. Enter only approved product facts.
- Create a Table Master database from Shopify products. Choose variant rows because the panel length and SKU change by purchase option.
- Open Custom data and Find custom data. Select the length and finish fields. For the linked material reference, expand Fields and select the supported material-family and supplier-code children.
- Create the table view, set length to a numeric column, and add material and finish filters. Keep within the 20 custom-data column limit and the plan’s total column limit. Change source values in Shopify and use Sync products to refresh the table.
Read the Table Master setup guide for the full app controls and placement options.
Check the finished setup
- Sort Length cm ascending and confirm that 120 follows 90 rather than appearing before 60.
- Filter Oak veneer and confirm that all three panel lengths remain available for comparison.
- Change a source material field in a test Shopify product, run Sync products, and check the refreshed value. The local example cannot test sync.
Common mistakes
- Do not import these sample rows and expect it to establish Shopify metafield or metaobject sync. Use Shopify products as the import source.
- Do not infer a load rating or performance claim from the example material name. The table displays the source data you supply.
Supported use
The example contains fictional panel data. It does not query Shopify or prove that a source field is available in your store. Select supported child fields and use Sync products after changing Shopify-managed values. Keep the source and display units consistent.
Table Master features, current app plans, and Custom-data sources and limits explain the supported setup.
Related tutorials
- Finish Options Matrix Setup Guide
- Product Comparison Setup Guide
- Grouped Variant Order Table Setup Guide
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