---
title: >-
  New Reference Type Deletion Error Message for Metafield Definitions - Shopify
  developer changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/new-reference-type-deletion-error-message-for-metafield-definitions
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/new-reference-type-deletion-error-message-for-metafield-definitions.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: 2022-10
  affectedApi: []
  primaryTag:
    displayName: API
    handle: api
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: New
    handle: new
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2022-07-21T16:20:11-04:00'
  postedAt: '2022-07-21T00:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2024-12-13T17:24:34-05:00'
  effectiveAt: '2022-07-21T00:00:00-04:00'
---

July 21, 2022

Tags:

* API
* 2022-10

# New Reference Type Deletion Error Message for Metafield Definitions

As of the API version 2022-10, upon deleting a reference type metafield definition with delete\_all\_associated\_metafields argument set to false, REFERENCE\_TYPE\_DELETION\_ERROR will be returned with the following error message:

*"Deleting a reference type metafield definition requires deletion of its associated metafields."*