Fabric Specification Table Setup Guide
Fabric sold by length needs a clear selling unit as well as material specifications. This tutorial separates ordered length from roll width and usable width. Show these values with TableFlow so a buyer can calculate the material they need before they select a quantity.
Setup tutorial · TableFlow · Updated 2026-09-07 · By Activory
Try the storefront example
Select the three sample products. The first shows all six rows. The second has two empty fields, so those rows disappear. The third has no values, so the whole table disappears. You can also choose Missing variant values inside the example to hide only the selected variant’s missing rows.
The first product option shows all six specification rows.
Hide empty fields in your store
In the theme editor, open the TableFlow app embed and leave Empty value placeholder blank. These are sample products.
This example uses TableFlow 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 TableFlow
The images below show the TableFlow form code with local sample data, captured on 2026-09-07. Shopify navigation and action bars are outside the cropped area.
1. Prepare the metafields
In Shopify, open Settings → Custom data. Create the six definitions in Sample data and content as Single line text. Use Products for Selling unit and Supply format. Use Variants for Full width, Usable width, Fabric composition, and Fabric weight. Reuse an existing definition if it stores the same information.
Open your test product and enter the sample values in the product and variant metafields. Add the product tag fabric-by-the-metre to this test product, then save. We will use this tag to control where the table appears. For images of these Shopify controls, see the product metafield guide and variant metafield guide.
2. Name the specification table
In TableFlow, create a specification table. Enter Fabric by the metre in Table name. This name is for your admin. Leave Table ranking at 1st. Set Status to Published when you are ready to save the finished setup.
Table name identifies the table in TableFlow. The section title in the next step is the heading that shoppers see. Select the image to view it at full size.
3. Add the first row
Under Table content, enter Specifications in Section title. In the first row, enter Selling unit in Label and select Advance in Source. Then select Search metafields, above the Advance value field.
Select Search metafields to connect this row to its product value. Select the image to view it at full size.
4. Select the value and complete the six rows
In Search metafields, enter custom.fabric_unit. Select Selling unit with the Product - single_line_text_field description. Select Insert in the selection window. The Advance value field will contain ::custom.fabric_unit.
This image shows the search field and selected result. The Insert button is in the Shopify action bar outside this crop. Select the image to view it at full size.
Select Add row and repeat this process for the other five rows in Sample data and content. Keep Source set to Advance. Match the result to the Scope column for each row. A Product result supplies a value shared by the product. A Variant result supplies a value for the selected option. The stored product or variant value supplies the storefront text; do not type the sample measurement into Advance value.
Show the completed six-row setup
Check the row order and metafield keys against this completed example. Select the image to view it at full size.
5. Choose which products show the table
Under Display condition, set Attribute to Tagged with and Condition to Match any. In Values, enter fabric-by-the-metre and select the matching option to add the tag. Only apply this tag to products that should use this specification table. Use your test product first.
The tag must also be present on the Shopify product. This keeps the table limited to the intended products. Select the image to view it at full size.
6. Select the table location and save
Under Table locations, select Location 1. Leave the other locations clear for this example. Check the six rows, display condition, and Published status, then select Save in TableFlow.
Use the same location number in the TableFlow app block in the next step. Select the image to view it at full size.
7. Add the table to the product template
Open the product template in the Shopify theme editor. Enable the TableFlow app embed. Clear Empty value placeholder so it is blank. This makes TableFlow hide rows with missing values and hide the whole table if every row is empty.
Add the TableFlow - Specification app block and select table location 1. Match the example settings, then save the theme. Open the tagged test product in your storefront and change its variant. Check the specification values, then clear one test value to confirm that its row disappears.
Example settings
- This example uses 18 px title text, 14 px row text, 40% label width, row borders, and 5 px cell padding. Empty value placeholder is blank. Hiding starts after the storefront script loads; entering a dash in this setting keeps missing rows visible instead.
- The custom-data definitions, scopes, and values below produce the example. The second sample variant has no variant metafield values.
- Natural linen: all six fields use the sample values below.
- Linen blend: leave Supply format and Fabric weight empty. Other changes: Selling unit = 1 unit is 1 metre.
- Cotton canvas: leave all six mapped metafields empty. The table and its heading are hidden.
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.
| Detail | Suggested metafield key | Scope | Metafield type | Example value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling unit | custom.fabric_unit | Product | Single line text | 1 unit is 0.5 metre |
| Supply format | custom.fabric_supply | Product | Single line text | Confirm whether multiple units are continuous |
| Full width | custom.fabric_width | Variant | Single line text | 145 cm |
| Usable width | custom.usable_width | Variant | Single line text | 140 cm |
| Fabric composition | custom.fabric_composition | Variant | Single line text | 100% linen |
| Fabric weight | custom.fabric_gsm | Variant | Single line text | 180 g/m2 |
What does a quantity of one mean for fabric sold by length?
A quantity of one can mean a metre, half metre, or pre-cut piece. State the unit and describe how multiple units are supplied. Record usable width separately if the full width includes edges that customers should not count. Colourways can have different composition or finishing data.
- Write the quantity-to-length rule first and match it to how stock and fulfilment work in your store.
- Collect full width and usable width from the supplier. Keep both labels instead of replacing one with the other.
- Enter colourway differences in variant fields and map the selling-unit statement near the top of TableFlow.
- Place the table beside the quantity control and test how a two-unit purchase is described in the cart.
Read the TableFlow setup guide for the full app controls and placement options. Use the variant metafield guide for rows that change with an option.
Check the finished setup
- Ask the packing team to confirm the stated continuous-length policy for the current stock.
- Check that the weight unit is area-based and is not confused with the weight of one cut piece.
- Verify the selected colourway’s usable width against the supplier record.
Common mistakes
- Do not imply that the table changes Shopify quantity or stock units.
- Do not publish shrinkage percentages unless the supplier provides the relevant test method and value.
Supported use
TableFlow displays the values you supply. It does not measure products or verify supplier claims. Use product fields for shared facts and variant fields for facts that change with the selected option. Confirm the app embed and table placement in your theme.
TableFlow features, current app plans, and Shopify metafield types and accepted values explain the supported setup.
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- Rug Size and Material Table Setup Guide
- Furniture Dimensions Table Setup Guide
Browse all TableFlow tutorials. Read how the examples are made or report a correction.