If you create a sample meta field that is defined in the sample type, make sure that you specify the correct sampleTypeMetaID for it. In addition, the sampleDataType should be the same as defined in the sample type. Resolve a field's sampleTypeMetaID via GET /sampleTypes/{sampleTypeID}/meta.

You can create a meta field that isn't defined by leaving the sampleTypeMetaID blank. This is not advisable though: the value is still matched by general full-text search, but the meta cannot be used as a structured per-field search filter.

In case of a meta field with selectable value - data types CHECKBOX, COMBO and RADIO - make sure that you only specify the values that are listed in the sample type's optionValues property. In case of multiple selected values, separate each value with a comma.

If a meta field with the specified key already exists it is overwritten unless the value is unchanged; otherwise a new meta field is created. Note: each sampleMetaID is newly created on an overwrite.