6.3 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 an element that already has some, you need to decide what to do. 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; "Replace" replaces the previous value; "Replace All" replaces it for all other files too; "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 section 6.1 -- The Enrich View. Correct any mistakes in creating hierarchies by using the metadata set editor explained in Chapter 11.1 -- Editing Metadata Sets.