> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://uxsmart.gitbook.io/velare/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://uxsmart.gitbook.io/velare/buy-and-install/create-required-metafields/metafields/short-description.md).

# Short Description

The **Short description** metafield lets each product carry its own extra line or two of text (a fabric note, a care instruction, a key benefit) and show it on the product page without building a separate template for every product. This page takes you from creating the metafield in your Shopify admin to seeing the text on your storefront.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w54YT7bpWI>" %}

### When you need this <a href="#when-you-need-this" id="when-you-need-this"></a>

* Each product needs **its own short text**, and you do not want to edit the theme for every product.
* You want that text to appear in a **collapsible row** on the product page, alongside the main description.
* You want to write the text once per product in the Shopify admin and let the theme pull it in automatically.

If every product would show exactly the same text, you do not need a metafield. Type the text straight into the **Row content** field of the block instead.

### Before you start <a href="#before-you-start" id="before-you-start"></a>

* You can access **Settings > Custom data** in your Shopify admin and customize the Vélare theme. (Staff accounts need the matching permissions.)
* You know which products should show a short description, and you have the text ready.
* Do the steps in order: the metafield must exist before the theme editor can offer it as a dynamic source.

### Step 1: Create the Short description metafield <a href="#step-1-create-the-metafield" id="step-1-create-the-metafield"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Go to **Shopify admin > Settings > Custom data > Products** (**Custom data** is shown as **Metafields and metaobjects** in some admin versions).
2. Click **Add definition**.
3. Fill in:
   * Name: `Short description`
   * Namespace and key: `custom.short_description`
   * Type: **Single line text - One value**
4. Click **Save**.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* **Short description** is now part of your product data and appears on every product.

<figure><img src="/files/dxYZ5xKkfGPGexe3Ylob" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 2: Write the text on each product <a href="#step-2-write-the-text" id="step-2-write-the-text"></a>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Go to **Shopify admin > Products**.
2. Select the product you want to edit.
3. Scroll down to the product's **Metafields** area.
4. Type your text into the **Short description** field.
5. Click **Save**.
6. Repeat for every other product that needs a short description.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* the product stores its own short description. Products you skip simply have an empty field.

<figure><img src="/files/Dg1smI6e4PlIxMokNPBE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 3: Show the text on the product page <a href="#step-3-show-the-text" id="step-3-show-the-text"></a>

The **Accordion row** block lives in the product page sections. See [Product information](/velare/customize-your-pages/product-page/page-template-sections/product-information.md).

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Go to **Online Store > Themes > Customize** to open the theme editor.
2. Open your product template.
3. Add an **Accordion row** block.
4. Set the accordion **Heading** (the label shoppers click to expand the row).
5. Click the **Dynamic source** icon in the **Row content** field.
6. Click the **Back** arrow if the panel opened under **Closest > Page**.
7. Choose **Closest > Product** under **From this template**.
8. Select **Short description** from the available product fields or metafields.
9. Click **Save**.
   {% endhint %}

*Result:* the accordion row is connected to the **Short description** metafield. The screenshots below follow the same order as the steps above.

<figure><img src="/files/zVvNMb2JUTmXNvE7l3EI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/sFEhJMlsnB3ymf0mklgD" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/7idbEEiqzrTVDN4crd9n" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/c5hQYc99OXTlQYUjmJgy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/O3SCPoZ3EKWyAxQ0GJkt" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/kffka3AaHrdtrcFUoSEL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### What you should see <a href="#what-you-should-see" id="what-you-should-see"></a>

On the product page, the accordion row shows the heading you set, and expanding it shows the short description of that product. Because the row is connected to a dynamic source, every product displays its own text through the same block.

<figure><img src="/files/y9DhgOv1uZ9SpV7F7USF" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### If something goes wrong <a href="#if-something-goes-wrong" id="if-something-goes-wrong"></a>

* **Short description is missing from the dynamic source list.** The definition has not been created yet, or its namespace and key differ from `custom.short_description`. Recheck the values in Step 1.
* **The dynamic source list only shows page fields.** You are still under **Closest > Page**. Go back and choose **Closest > Product** (Step 3, items 6 and 7).
* **The row is empty on some products.** Those products have no value in the field yet. Repeat Step 2 for each of them.

### Related pages <a href="#related-pages" id="related-pages"></a>

* [Create Required Metafields](/velare/buy-and-install/create-required-metafields.md): why the theme uses metafields and metaobjects
* [Metafields](/velare/buy-and-install/create-required-metafields/metafields.md): the full list of metafields to create
* [Product information](/velare/customize-your-pages/product-page/page-template-sections/product-information.md): the product page section and its blocks, including **Accordion row**
* [Accordion](/velare/customize-your-pages/layout/accordion.md): settings for collapsible rows
* [Custom Product Badge](/velare/buy-and-install/create-required-metafields/metafields/custom-product-badge.md): another per-product metafield, set up the same way


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