In-app editing for file reference metafields

You can now edit file reference metafields directly with in-app edits, for both the single-file file_reference type and the multi-file list.file_reference type. Previously these fields could only be changed through a spreadsheet upload; now you can make the same changes without leaving the app.

Pick a file reference metafield in the “Field to edit” box and point to a file by its URL, its filename, or its Shopify file ID. The app resolves it to the correct file in your store’s Files area.

For a single-file file_reference metafield you can Set file or Delete metafield.

For a multi-file list.file_reference metafield you get the full set of list controls you already use for other list metafields:

• Set the list to a new value
• Add a file to the start or end of the list
• Remove file(s) from the start or end of the list
• Delete the metafield

Spreadsheet edits for file references also picked up some improvements as part of this work:

• PDFs and other file types: file references are no longer limited to images. Generic files like PDFs now resolve correctly.
• Numeric file IDs: a bare numeric file ID now resolves to the correct file, so you no longer need the full gid:// value.
• Clearer errors: if you try to put more than one file into a single file_reference metafield, you’ll see a clear MTF017 - Multiple Values For Single File Reference message pointing you to use a list.file_reference metafield instead.

Previews are faster too: previewing a file reference edit no longer makes calls to Shopify to look up each file, so the preview step stays quick and shows you exactly what you entered.