How to Archive Custom Metadata with ArchiveMaster

Overview #

Custom Metadata ensures all additional order data (from plugins or custom fields) is preserved. These features give you more control over which orders are archived and what data is stored during the archiving process.

How to Enable Custom Metadata Archiving

Steps: #

1. Go to ArchiveMaster → Archive Options
2. Find Custom Metadata Archiving
3. Turn the option ON

How Custom Metadata Archiving Works #

ArchiveMaster now provides three flexible archiving modes for WooCommerce custom order metadata, allowing you to choose exactly how order meta should be handled during archive and restore operations.

1. Archive Selected Metadata Fields #

Choose only the metadata fields you want to archive.

This option is ideal when only specific custom fields are important for historical records while unnecessary metadata can be ignored.

Use Cases #

• Archive only invoice numbers generated by invoicing plugins.
• Preserve delivery instructions while excluding temporary system data.
• Keep custom ERP or CRM identifiers without archiving every plugin-generated metadata field.
• Archive only business-critical metadata for compliance requirements.

2. Archive All Currently Detected Metadata #

ArchiveMaster automatically detects all existing custom order metadata available on your store and archives them.

You can also specify an Exclude List to ignore metadata that you don’t want to archive.

Use Cases #

• Existing WooCommerce stores with multiple installed plugins.
• Stores that already have years of order history.
• Businesses migrating to ArchiveMaster without manually configuring every metadata field.
• Sites using shipping, payment, subscription, or invoicing plugins that already store custom order metadata.

Example:

Detected metadata:

• _tracking_number
• _delivery_date
• _invoice_id
• _crm_customer
• _payment_reference

Exclude List:

• _payment_reference

Result:

Everything except _payment_reference will be archived.

3. Automatically Archive All Current and Future Metadata #

This is the most automated option.

ArchiveMaster will archive:

• All currently detected metadata
• Any new metadata created in the future by plugins, themes, or custom development

An Exclude List is also available to prevent unwanted metadata from being archived.

This means you won’t need to revisit the settings every time a new WooCommerce extension adds additional order metadata.

Use Cases #

Perfect for stores that frequently install or update plugins.

Examples include:

• Shipping plugins
• Warehouse management systems
• ERP integrations
• CRM integrations
• Marketing automation plugins
• Membership plugins
• Subscription plugins
• Custom-developed WooCommerce solutions

As new metadata appears, ArchiveMaster automatically includes it in the archive without requiring manual configuration.