# Meta Data Keys

## What is product meta data?[​](#what-is-product-meta-data "Direct link to What is product meta data?")

Every WooCommerce product can carry extra fields beyond its name and price — things like a size, an engraving message, a supplier code, or data added by other plugins. WooCommerce stores these as **meta data**: each entry has a **key** (the field's name, e.g. `engraving`) and a **value** (e.g. `"Happy Birthday"`).

## What the Meta Data Keys setting does[​](#what-the-meta-data-keys-setting-does "Direct link to What the Meta Data Keys setting does")

By default, when you add a product to the cart only its standard details are copied. The **Meta Data Keys** setting (Product Panel → Settings) lets you choose which product meta keys should be **copied onto the cart line item** — and therefore saved on the order.

For example, adding `engraving` to the list means that whenever you add an engravable product to the cart, its engraving value travels with it onto the order.

## Choosing keys[​](#choosing-keys "Direct link to Choosing keys")

Start typing in the Meta Data Keys field:

* **Suggestions** are the meta keys found on the products already synced to this device.
* If the key you need isn't listed (for example, it only exists on products not yet synced), just type the exact key name and choose **Add "…" as a custom key**.
* Selected keys appear as chips; remove one by tapping its ✕.

The keys you choose are saved with your other panel settings and apply to both the table and grid (tile) views.

## Tips[​](#tips "Direct link to Tips")

* Meta keys are case-sensitive and must match the key stored on the product exactly.
* Keys beginning with an underscore (e.g. `_size`) are "hidden"/internal WooCommerce meta. They still work here if that's where your data lives.