Title: Using existing meta fields
Last modified: August 31, 2016

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# Using existing meta fields

 *  Resolved [Sascha](https://wordpress.org/support/users/guitarfool/)
 * (@guitarfool)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-existing-meta-fields/)
 * Hi,
 * how can I assign new Profile Builder fields to existing meta fields? Putting 
   the name in the field´s meta-name field ends up in a message saying that the 
   meta name is already in use. Please help.
 * Thanks
 * Sascha
 * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/profile-builder/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/profile-builder/)

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  [Teodor Cosofret](https://wordpress.org/support/users/teodor-cosofret/)
 * (@teodor-cosofret)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-existing-meta-fields/#post-7164692)
 * Hi,
 * You will need to use the “Overwrite Existing” option -> Set it to YES when you
   add a new field.
 * Best regards,
 *  Thread Starter [Sascha](https://wordpress.org/support/users/guitarfool/)
 * (@guitarfool)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-existing-meta-fields/#post-7164699)
 * Hi Teodor,
 * doesn´t this delete existing values of the fields? I want to assign the existing
   meta fields but keep their values of course. The german description (saying ‘
   fields with the same meta name will be overwritten – use it at your own risk’)
   of the field is a bit confusing and alarming.
 * This question may sound a bit dumb, I just want to be sure not to lose any data.
 * Thank you
 * Sascha
 *  [Teodor Cosofret](https://wordpress.org/support/users/teodor-cosofret/)
 * (@teodor-cosofret)
 * [10 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-existing-meta-fields/#post-7164714)
 * Hi,
 * First please make a back-up of your database.
 * If the field with the meta name was an input filed, in Profile Builder you will
   need to add also an input field. If that field was a checkbox and in Profile 
   Builder you added the meta name inside a different field type it could not work
   and this will delete the values.
 * Create a test field, add a value and a meta name, and use that meta name inside
   a field made with Profile Builder to see if everything is working correctly.
 * Best regards,
 *  Thread Starter [Sascha](https://wordpress.org/support/users/guitarfool/)
 * (@guitarfool)
 * [10 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-existing-meta-fields/#post-7164759)
 * This seems to work fine!
 * Thank you, Teodor.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

The topic ‘Using existing meta fields’ is closed to new replies.

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 * 4 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Sascha](https://wordpress.org/support/users/guitarfool/)
 * Last activity: [10 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-existing-meta-fields/#post-7164759)
 * Status: resolved