Work with metadata



Metadata is a set of standardized information about a file, such as author name, resolution, color space, copyright, and keywords applied to it. You can use metadata to streamline your workflow and organize your files.

About the XMP standard

Metadata information is stored using the Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) standard, on which Adobe Bridge , Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop are built. XMP is built on XML, and in most cases the metadata is stored in the file. If it isn’t possible to store the information in the file, metadata is stored in a separate file called a sidecar file. XMP facilitates the exchange of metadata between Adobe applications and across publishing workflows. For example, you can save metadata from one file as a template, and then import the metadata into other files.

Metadata that is stored in other formats, such as Exif, IPTC (IIM), GPS, and TIFF, is synchronized and described with XMP so that it can be more easily viewed and managed. Other applications and features (for example, Adobe Version Cue) also use XMP to communicate and store information such as version comments, which you can search using Adobe Bridge.

In most cases the metadata remains with the file even when the file format changes, for example, from PSD to JPG. Metadata is also retained when files are placed in an Adobe document or project.

You can use the XMP Software Development Kit to customize the creation, processing, and interchange of metadata. For example, you can use the XMP SDK to add fields to the File Info dialog box. For more information on XMP and the XMP SDK, visit the Adobe website.

Working with metadata in Adobe Bridge and Adobe Creative Suite components

Many of the powerful Adobe Bridge features that allow you to organize, search, and keep track of your files and versions depend on XMP metadata in your files. Adobe Bridge provides two ways of working with metadata: through the Metadata panel and through the File Info dialog box (InDesign) or the Content File Info dialog box (InCopy).

In some cases, multiple views exist for the same metadata property. For example, a property may be labeled Author in one view and Creator in another, but both refer to the same underlying property. Even if you customize these views for specific workflows, they remain standardized through XMP.

Add metadata using the File Info dialog box

The File Info dialog box displays camera data, file properties, an edit history, copyright, and author information of the current document. The File Info dialog box also displays custom metadata panels. You can add metadata directly in the File Information dialog box. Any information you enter in a field overrides existing metadata and applies the new value to all selected files.

  1. Choose File > File Info (InDesign) or File > Content File Info (InCopy).
  2. Select any of the following from the tabs at the top of the dialog box:
    Use the Right and Left arrows to scroll the tabs, or click the down-pointing arrow and choose a category from the list.
    Description
    Lets you enter document information about the file, such as document title, author, description, and keywords that can be used to search for the document. To specify copyright information, select Copyrighted from the Copyright Status pop-up menu. Then enter the copyright owner, notice text, and the URL of the person or company holding the copyright.

    IPTC
    Includes four areas: IPTC Content describes the visual content of the image. IPTC Contact lists the contact information for the photographer. IPTC Image lists descriptive information for the image. IPTC Status lists workflow and copyright information.

    Camera Data
    Includes two areas: Camera Data 1 displays read-only information about the camera and settings used to take the photo, such as make, model, shutter speed, and f‑stop. Camera Data 2 lists read-only file information about the photo, including pixel dimensions and resolution

    Video Data
    Lists information about the video file, including video frame width and height, and lets you enter information such as tape name and scene name.

    Audio Data
    Lets you enter information about the audio file, including the title, artist, bit rate, and loop settings.

    Mobile SWF
    Lists information about mobile media files, including title, author, description, and content type.

    Categories
    Lets you enter information based on Associated Press categories.

    Origin
    Lets you enter file information that is useful for news outlets, including when and where the file was created, transmission information, special instructions, and headline information.

    DICOM
    Lists patient, study, series, and equipment information for DICOM images.

    History
    Displays Adobe Photoshop history log information for images saved with Photoshop. The History tab appears only if Adobe Photoshop is installed.

    Illustrator
    Lets you apply a document profile for print, web, or mobile output.

    Advanced
    Displays fields and structures for storing metadata by using namespaces and properties, such as file format and XMP, Exif, and PDF properties.

    Raw Data
    Displays XMP text information about the file.

  3. Type the information to add in any displayed field.
  4. Click OK to apply the changes.

Export metadata as an XMP file

You can save metadata in an XMP file to share with other users. These XMP files can be used as templates for populating InDesign documents and other documents created with XMP-enabled applications. Templates you export are stored in a shared location that all XMP-enabled applications can access. They also appear in the pop-up menu at the bottom of the File Info dialog box.

  1. Choose File > File Info (InDesign) or File > Content File Info (InCopy).
  2. Choose Export from the pop-up menu at the bottom of the dialog box.
  3. Type a filename, choose a location for the file, and click Save.
    To view metadata templates in Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (Mac OS), click the pop-up menu at the bottom of the File Info dialog box and choose Show Templates Folder.

Import metadata from an XMP file

When you import metadata into a document from an exported XMP template file, you can specify whether to clear all metadata in the current document and add the new metadata, keep all but the matching metadata, or add matching metadata to the existing metadata.

 Choose File > File Info (InDesign) or File > Content File Info (InCopy).

  • Choose an XMP file from the pop-up menu at the bottom of the dialog box, select an import option, and click OK.

  • Choose Import from the pop-up menu at the bottom of the dialog box, select an import option, and click OK. Then double-click the XMP template file you want to import.