Import multiple custom field values from single CSV entry

Question

My data in the database is stored in this format as an array.

The correct way of storing:

array (
  0 => '18459',
  1 => '18462',
)

The format for importing is separated by a pipe in my csv file like so 18459|18461 but whenever I import, it instead stores the values like this.

array (
  0 => '18459|18461',
)

[Additional Info] This is how the database stores the data by duplicating the meta key sp_team. If I can change the second meta key to something else say sp_team2 then have that in my CSV file I think it might work. The problem is that my import thinks it should just import both 18459|18462 into just one sp_team field and that the other sp_team is not needed which is not the case. But I don't know how.

Inside the wp-editor for the two fields

If there was a way I can rename the second sp_team that would work?

I am desperate for a workaround. As you can see, it's not storing the second value. I'll appreciate your help. Thanks

Answer 1

You can break up the values inside a hook and insert them one by one.

This needs to go into the functions.php file of the active theme (or child theme). Commented inline for clarity.

function my_18459_update_post_meta( $post_id, $meta_key, $meta_value ) {
    $separator = '|';

    // only act on the 2 custom fields with pipes as separators:
    if($meta_key == 'sp_team' || $meta_key == 'sp_player') {

        /* Hook fires AFTER the "incorrect" unseparated meta value was 
           inserted in the DB, so need to delete it first: */
        delete_post_meta($post_id, $meta_key, $meta_value);

        // break up the values using | as separator:
        $meta_values = explode($separator, $meta_value);
        if ( ! empty( $meta_values ) ) {
            // insert values into wp_postmeta table one by one:
            foreach ( $meta_values as $meta_value ) {
                add_post_meta($post_id, $meta_key, $meta_value);
            }
        }
    }
}

add_action( 'pmxi_update_post_meta', 'my_18459_update_post_meta', 10, 3 );

Screenshots of relevant import settings I used:

You can also check the import settings at the link you provided in the comments.