Goal: Learn how to export existing FAQ entries, make edits in a spreadsheet, import updates, and convert a plain Q&A sheet into the required Metaobjects format.
Video walkthrough: Watch the 4‑minute video
Sample Excel file: Download the sample file
Prerequisites:
You have Altera installed on your Shopify store
You can access your Shopify admin and open apps
(Optional) A Q&A spreadsheet with two columns: Question, Answer
Step 1 - Export existing FAQ metaobjects
In your Shopify admin, go to Apps and open Altera.
Go to Export > Metaobjects.
Click Filters, set Definition type to Question and answer pairs.
Click Start export, then download the file when it finishes.
Step 2 - Edit the exported file (optional)
Open the exported file in Excel.
Locate the FAQ answer rows in the
Valuecolumn and make your changes.Save the file as
.xlsxor.csv.
Step 3 - Import the updated FAQs
In Altera, go to Import and upload your edited file.
If prompted, select Metaobjects, then click Start import.
Wait for the import to complete, then verify the updates in your Knowledge Base app.
Step 4 - Convert a plain Q&A sheet to Metaobjects format (Excel Power Query)
If you have a simple Excel file with two columns (Question, Answer), follow these steps:
In Excel, go to Data > Get Data > From Workbook, select your Q&A file.
Click Transform Data.
Use Home > Use First Row as Headers.
Create a display name column:
Go to Add Column > Duplicate Column on the
Questioncolumn.Rename the duplicated column to
Display name.With the
QuestionandAnswercolumns selected, go to Transform > Unpivot Columns.In the new table:
Convert the
Attributecolumn to lowercase: Transform > Format > lowercase.Rename
AttributetoField.Click Home > Close & Load to load the transformed data to a sheet.
Insert a new column named
Definition handleand set every row toshopify--qa-Pair.Save as a new file (e.g.,
FAQs_formatted.xlsx).Import this formatted file using the steps in "Import the updated FAQs" above.
Outcome
You have a spreadsheet you can round‑trip: export FAQs, edit, and re‑import.
If starting from a raw Q&A sheet, you now have a correctly formatted Metaobjects file and imported all FAQs into your Knowledge Base.
Example Format
Display name | Field | Value | Definition handle |
Can I return items? | question | Can I return items? | shopify--qa-Pair |
Can I return items? | answer | Yes, within 30 days of purchase. | shopify--qa-Pair |