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# How to split order by variant/product metafield

## Splitting by Metafields

This guide explains how to create split rules based on variant metafields.

### Correct Format

The format for metafield-based split rules is:

```
Metafield:key:value
```

**Example:** `Metafield:presale:Presale`

This will split variants where the metafield with key `presale` has the value `Presale`.

### Format Options

#### Match a specific key and value

```
Metafield:key:value
```

* **Example:** `Metafield:presale:Presale`
* Matches variants where the metafield with key `presale` has the value `Presale`

#### Match any metafield with a specific value

```
Metafield:value
```

* **Example:** `Metafield:Presale`
* Matches variants where ANY metafield has a value of `Presale`

### Important: Namespace vs Key

Shopify metafields have both a **namespace** and a **key**. For example, a metafield might be defined as `customer.presale` where:

* `customer` is the namespace
* `presale` is the key

**When creating split rules, use only the key (not the namespace).**

| Metafield Definition                       | Correct Rule                     | Incorrect Rule                          |
| ------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `customer.presale` with value `Presale`    | `Metafield:presale:Presale`      | `Metafield:customer.presale:Presale`    |
| `custom.restock_date` with value `2024-03` | `Metafield:restock_date:2024-03` | `Metafield:custom.restock_date:2024-03` |

### Variant Metafields

The system reads **variant metafields** (up to 20 per variant). The matching is performed on variant-level metafields, so you can split orders based on metafields assigned to specific product variants.

### Product Metafields

You can also split by **product metafields** (metafields on the product, not the variant). Use the `ProductMetafield:` prefix instead.

#### Match a specific key and value

```
ProductMetafield:key:value
```

* **Example:** `ProductMetafield:warehouse:US`
* Matches products where the metafield with key `warehouse` has the value `US`

#### Match any metafield with a specific value

```
ProductMetafield:value
```

* **Example:** `ProductMetafield:fragile`
* Matches products where ANY metafield has a value of `fragile`

#### When to use Product vs Variant Metafields

| Scenario                                           | Use                          |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| Metafield is set on individual variants            | `Metafield:key:value`        |
| Metafield is set on the product itself             | `ProductMetafield:key:value` |
| Different variants have different metafield values | `Metafield:key:value`        |
| All variants share the same metafield value        | `ProductMetafield:key:value` |

### Common Mistakes

1. **Including the namespace:** Use `Metafield:presale:Presale`, not `Metafield:customer.presale:Presale`
2. **Missing the Metafield prefix:** Use `Metafield:presale:Presale`, not `presale:Presale`
3. **Wrong separator format:** Use `Metafield:key:value`, not `Metafield:key=value`

### Examples

| Use Case                                             | Rule                                   |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Split variants marked as presale                     | `Metafield:presale:true`               |
| Split variants with a specific restock date          | `Metafield:restock_date:2024-03`       |
| Split variants where any metafield equals "dropship" | `Metafield:dropship`                   |
| Split variants with fulfillment type "warehouse"     | `Metafield:fulfillment_type:warehouse` |