How to Export Shopify Files Used by Metaobjects

To export Shopify files used by metaobjects, open Export content files in Export Product Images, set the file reference to Files used in metaobjects, choose a metaobject type (or any type), press Preview files and then Export files. The ZIP contains only the files that your metaobject entries point to, such as swatch images or icons.

Why can’t I do this in the Shopify admin?

The Files page in the Shopify admin lets you filter by where a file is used, but it offers only two choices: used in products, or other. There is no way to say “show me only files that metaobjects use”. We checked the Admin API as well in September 2026, and the files search accepts a used_in value for products and for none, while other values return an empty list without an error.

So the answer sits in the metaobjects themselves. A file has no list of the metaobjects that point to it, but a metaobject entry has a field that holds the file. The app reads those fields and matches them with your files. That is why you can pick a metaobject type in the export.

Which metaobject files are we talking about?

Think of anything you built with metaobjects that carries a picture or document:

• Colour swatches with an image for each colour
• Brand or designer entries with a logo
• Size guides with an image or PDF
• Icon sets for product badges

Only metaobject types that have a file field (a file reference or a list of file references) can hold files, so the export only offers those types.

How do I export them?

1. Open Export content files.
2. Tick the file types you want: Include images, Include videos, Include 3D models, Include other files.
3. Under file references, choose Files used in metaobjects.
4. Pick one metaobject type, for example the one for your colour swatches, or choose any type to get the union of all of them.
5. Optionally limit the upload date range.
6. Press Preview files. The summary shows how many files were found by type and the total size.
7. Choose the File name format (original name or alt text) and the Folder name format (no sub folders, file type or upload month).
8. Press Export files and download the ZIP when the email arrives.

The full options are in the Content > Files guide.

Can I export files that nothing uses?

Yes. Choose Files not used anywhere as the reference. This is the set most people want to inspect before cleaning up storage. If you plan to delete those files afterwards, export them first so you have a backup. Our sister site has a walkthrough on deleting unused files.

What names will the files have?

With Original name, you get the name Shopify holds, and two different files with the same name in the same folder are numbered (swatch.png and swatch__(2).png). With Alt text, the file is named after its alt text plus the original extension, which is handy for swatches that have descriptive alt text. A file without alt text keeps its original name.

Does the export change my store?

No. The app can read your files and metaobjects, and it cannot edit or delete them. The first time you open the content files export, Shopify may ask you to approve the read permissions.

How many files can I export?

Every file in the ZIP counts as one toward your monthly limit: 100 on the free plan, 1,000 on Starter, 10,000 on Advanced and unlimited on Premium. Previews are free. See downloads and plan limits.

Install Export Product Images and run the preview to see how many metaobject files your store has.