How to bulk update product metafields in Shopify (Altera)

How to Bulk Update Metafields in Shopify Using Excel & CSV

In this guide, I'll walk through how to bulk update product metafields and metaobjects in Shopify — and display that data on a product page. Once you get the pattern down, you can apply the same technique across all kinds of product data updates.

Method 1 (Free): Shopify's Built-in Bulk Editor

Shopify's bulk update feature inside the admin lets you edit basic product data and metafields without installing anything. For quick, small-scale changes it works well enough. But the editor is slow compared to working directly in Excel or Google Sheets, and it doesn't support bulk updates for metaobjects.

In a pinch, it gets the job done. But if you're managing data for multiple clients or working with larger product catalogues, you'll hit its limits quickly.

Method 2 (Recommended): Altera

My recommended approach is Altera. Working with Excel files and CSV sheets is significantly faster once your data is at any real scale — and Altera is built specifically for that workflow.

I've used Matrixify for years for bulk updates across products, collections, and metafields, and it's a solid tool many of you will already know. Altera takes the same familiar spreadsheet-based approach but adds support for data types and workflows Matrixify doesn't currently handle:

• Metafield definitions
• Metaobject definitions
• Inventory transfers
• Linked product options

Pricing & Access

Altera is $15/month flat-rate, with free access for development stores — so there's no cost friction when you're building out a client project before launch. They also offer 24/7 human customer support and integrations with ChatGPT and Claude if you want to bring AI into your data workflows.