5.3: Appending New Metadata

This section explains how to add metadata and values to files, and how to add new values for metadata elements.

Contents

Simple Instructions: Adding to files Adding to folders or multiple files Advanced Instructions: Adding to the metadata table Subject hierarchies Introduction to subjects Metadata set editor Text field entry Advanced Instructions: Value hierarchies and editing values

Simple Instructions:

We now add a metadata item -- both element and value -- to a file. First select the file from the Collection file tree on the left. The action causes any metadata previously assigned to this file to appear in the table at the right.

Next select the metadata element you want to add by clicking its row in the table.

Type the value into the value field. Do not use the character "\", as it is used for constructing hierarchies. When finished, click "Append" to add the new value as metadata for the chosen file. The value immediately appears in the Metadata table.

You can also add metadata to a folder, or to several multiply selected files at once. It is added to all files within the folder or selection, and to child folders. Keep in mind that if you assign metadata to a folder, any new files in it automatically inherit the folder's values.

When you add metadata to multiple files at once, you will be prompted for confirmation for any files that already have a value for that metadata. You are shown the name of the file in question, the element's title, previously-assigned values for this element, and the new value. The buttons offer different options: "Append" appends the metadata to the file without altering any existing values; "Append All" adds the new value to all other files too, without requiring individual confirmation; "Skip File" proceeds to the next file; "Cancel" undoes any changes and cancels the action.

If you choose metadata that occurs in some of the selected files and click "Append", it is added to the other files in the selection too.

Advanced Instructions:

You can add structure to metadata values by using paths as described in The Enrich View. Correct any mistakes in creating hierarchies by using the metadata set editor explained in Editing Metadata Sets.