Adding Metadata to Files and Using Presets

You can add information to your images using IPTC and ACDSee Metadata. IPTC information is automatically embedded into your image, while ACDSee Metadata can be embedded into your file, or stored in the database. You can add this information to one or multiple files at a time. You can also save frequently used metadata values as a preset, allowing you to quickly input this information without having to rewrite it.

We recommend entering and editing metadata prior to processing your images. If you use the Restore to Original command the metadata will be lost unless it was entered prior to processing (except in the case of RAW images).

You cannot set IPTC and EXIF information for read-only files, such as those on a CD-ROM.

If the Properties pane is not already open, select View | Properties.

To Add Metadata to One or More Files:

1. In Manage mode, select one or more files in the File List pane.
2. In the Properties pane, select the Metadata tab.
3. Enter information into the metadata fields.
4. Click Apply or press Enter to apply your changes.

When you click Apply or Enter in Manage Mode, the focus is returned to the File List pane allowing you to quickly make another file selection using your keyboard.

To include numbers in a sequence with your metadata, select the files and enter <#> as the start number, in whichever field you want. Ex) Entering <5> will begin the sequence at 5.

Metadata Tab Keyboard Shortcuts

If you click away from the Properties pane, any metadata that you have just entered will be lost. You must click Apply or press ENTER to apply your changes.

To Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Enter Metadata into the Same Field of Multiple Photos:

1. Select the first photo in your list and enter content into a Metadata field.
2. Press the Page Down key to move to the next photo. The cursor remains in the same field of the Properties pane for each photo, allowing you to quickly enter content for the same field for multiple photos.
3. Enter content into the field and again press Page Down to move to the next photo.
4. Continue Step 3 until complete.

You do not need to click the Apply button when using this shortcut. 

You can use the Page Up key to move back to the previous photo.

Copying and Pasting Metadata

You can conveniently copy and paste GPS, IPTC, and ACDSee Metadata from files and paste them into other files.

This action will merge your keyword and category information.

To Copy Metadata:

1. In Manage mode, select a file and do one of the following:
• Go to Tools | Metadata | Copy...
• Right-click and select Metadata | Copy...
2. In the Copy Metadata dialog box, select which metadata components you would like to copy.
3. Press Copy.

To Paste Metadata:

1. In Manage mode, select a file and do one of the following:
• Go to Tools | Metadata | Paste
• Right-click and select Metadata | Paste

Metadata Presets

To Create a Metadata Preset Using the Properties Pane:

1. In Manage mode, select any file in the File List pane.
2. In the Properties pane, select the Metadata tab.
3. Click the Metadata Presets drop-down list and select Manage Presets.

4. Enter content into the fields provided in the Manage Presets dialog box.

   (See Notes for Inserting Data into the Manage Presets Dialog Box below.)

5. Click OK.
6. Click Save As...
7. Enter a name for the preset and click OK. The preset will appear in the Presets drop-down list.

To Create a Metadata Preset Using the Metadata Menu:

1. In Manage mode, go to Tools | Metadata | Manage Metadata Presets...

2. Enter content into the fields provided in the Manage Presets dialog box.

   See Notes for Inserting Data into the Manage Presets Dialog Box below.

3. Click OK.
4. Click Save As...
5. Enter a name for the preset and click OK. The preset will appear in the Presets drop-down list on the Metadata tab of the Properties pane.

To Set a Shortcut Preset (CTRL+M):

1. From the Metadata Presets drop-down list, select Manage Presets.
2. In the Manage Metadata Presets dialog box, click the arrow button next to the Presets drop-down presets list.
3. Set a Shortcut Preset by making your selection from the list of saved Metadata Presets.
4. Click OK.

Once your default preset is set, the shortcut Ctrl+M will auto-fill the metadata fields for all selected images. If you have not set a default preset, the shortcut Ctrl+ M will open the Manage Metadata Presets dialog box.

To Apply a Metadata Preset:

1. Select one or more images in the File List pane.
2. In the Properties pane, select the Metadata tab.
3. Click the Metadata Presets drop-down list and select a preset that you have created.
4. Click Apply.

Notes for Inserting Data into the Manage Presets Dialog Box:

• The asterisk (*) represents any existing field data for the individual files. You can append additional information next to the asterisk to maintain the existing field data, or you can delete it and enter new information. For example, if you would like to append some text to IPTC Caption rather than replace it, insert an asterisk in the field followed by a space and append your additional text.
• You can transfer the value of one metadata field to another using the Insert Metadata command. Click the Insert Metadata arrow next to each field to select and insert metadata place holders. For example, you can transfer your ACDSee Keywords to IPTC Keywords by inserting the <ACDSee Metadata:Keywords> placeholder into the IPTC Keywords field.

Importing and Exporting Metadata Presets:

1. In Manage mode, select Tools | Metadata | Manage Metadata Presets...
2. In the Manage Metadata Presets dialog box, click the arrow to the right of the Presets drop-down menu.
3. Select Import or Export.
4. Browse to find and select your XML file, then press Open.

See Also:

• Manage Metadata Views and Presets
• About the ACDSee Database
• Using the Properties Pane