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Can you import metadata from an excel database to images (JPG, PSD, TIF) in bulk?

New Here ,
Apr 23, 2012 Apr 23, 2012

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I am very new to working with metadata. I have a microsoft excel file with the IPTC Core fields I need for each image file.

(Creator, Headline, Description, Keywords, Title, Job Identifier, Credit Line, Source, Rights Usage Terms, Copyright Status and Copyright Notice)

Is there a way to get the metadata into the files without having to copy from a cell into each metadata field individually?

I am hoping some for sort of script, possibly...

Also, if only ONE of these fields needed updating in all of the files (i.e. Rights Usage Terms) can that be done?

I have Bridge 5.1 (and earlier versions CS3/CS4)

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Batch , Import and export , Scripting

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correct answers 2 Correct answers

Valorous Hero , Apr 23, 2012 Apr 23, 2012

This might be of use...

DIY Metadata.jsx

 

EDIT: the link is there now: DIY Metadata.jsx

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Community Expert , Mar 14, 2023 Mar 14, 2023

Perhaps try tab delimited format instead of comma separated value format.

 

Edit – Paul Riggott originally wrote the following instructions:

 

1616665_DIY.png

 

N.B. The first field in the input file MUST be the filename only IE:- CRW_0001.jpg

This script will allow you to choose the fields and order they are in within either your CSV or TEXT file so that you can input your metadata.

Fields available are:-

Keywords 1 - These are Keywords that are in ONE field seperated by semicolons

Keywords 2 - These are Key

...

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Valorous Hero ,
Apr 23, 2012 Apr 23, 2012

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This might be of use...

DIY Metadata.jsx

 

EDIT: the link is there now: DIY Metadata.jsx

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New Here ,
Apr 23, 2012 Apr 23, 2012

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Yes Paul, exactly like that. Thanks for this - at least I know it's possible...

I am not such a script writing guru that I know how alter it to include all of the fields I mentioned in my original post tho'.

Missing fields I would require:

Creator (bridge no longer calls this Author - as listed in the script - I guess that's an easy switch)

Job Identifier (text field)

Credit Line (text field)

Source (text field)

Rights Usage Terms (text field)

Copyright Status (this is a pull-down in Bridge CS5 that you select "Copyright" Public Domain" or "Unassigned)

Copyright Notice (text field)

Is there a script that covers the "IPTC core" fields in their entirety - or maybe an easy way to alter the script to include the missing fields I need?

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Valorous Hero ,
Apr 23, 2012 Apr 23, 2012

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I think mine is the only available script for Bridge.

Another way would be to use ExifTool ExifTool

but I don't know the exact usage.

or use a Digital Asset Management program.

 

I will have a look and see if I can add the extra fields, at the moment there is a global checkbox to Copyright all entries.

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New Here ,
Apr 24, 2012 Apr 24, 2012

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We altered some field names, and duplicated some script and this is working.

The copyright status of all of these is Copyrighted - so the script works for that purpose.

Thanks for your help.

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Community Beginner ,
Jun 17, 2016 Jun 17, 2016

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After much googling I asked the following question on a forum called Filecats, as well as a couple of others . A Phillip Burton referred me to this post. I showed it to the boss and he said he wants to stay away from scripts. Is there a program that can accomplish this task?

My original post: Can metadata can be added to JPEG files from another document like Excel or Access? Each tag, title, comment, etc. would be different. Example: an architect takes 100 photos at a job site then uploads them to his computer. Those 100 photos need identifiers as to what each picture means to a contractor, insurance claims adjuster, etc. The architect creates a photo log (typing everything manually) in Excel containing:

  1. 1.         Photo file name (after I batch rename them using Adobe Bridge)
  2. 2.         Location (i.e. “interior of south wall”)
  3. 3.         Description (i.e. “water damage from ceiling”)
  4. 4.         A hyperlink to the JPEG file

I then use Adobe Lightroom to create simple “prints” that put 2 photos on a page along with custom captions & our logo. Right now the only useful information for the caption is the photo/file name and the date photo was taken. I would like to include the Location (title) and Description (tag) from the JPEGS' metadata without having to manually type the info from the architect’s Excel sheet into Windows Explorer.

Addition to post: Is it possible to export a folder of photos so that 1) The metadata populates a spreadsheet  2) I add info into the fields I need 3) Import it back. Or is my problem not a lack of program but a lack of understanding and I have all the tools I need between Windows and Excel and I just don't know how to utilize all their features?

Thanks

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Guide ,
Jun 17, 2016 Jun 17, 2016

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You are going to be limited to what you can do!

Without scripts you have ExifTool ExifTool by Phil Harvey

You could explore the world of Digital asset management (DAM) software.

The third option is get some one to write a program to your specs.

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2016 Jun 17, 2016

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caric34295532, if your boss wishes to stay away from scripts (why?) – then I would recommend ExifTool. After looking at ExifTool, your boss may then decide to use a script! ExifTool is powerful, however it is CLI based and can be daunting for some users. There are GUI front ends available for ExifTool which may be of help.

 

I have detailed the basic commands to export and import specific metadata in this following topic:

 

Need a script to update keywords for 20000 images in Bridge

 

It is critical to export a sample .csv from an image using ExifTool, because importing needs to use the correct format.

 

Keep in mind that this example is only for keywords. It is possible to export all metadata or a specific number of fields. You may need to export all metadata first to work out which tags/fields are required for your project.

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New Here ,
Apr 25, 2012 Apr 25, 2012

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Here is the edited script and CSV file: Archive.zip

 

We have it mostly working. Some of the fields are not populating.

Creator/Headline/Description/Keywords/Title/Job Identifier work as expected.

Job Identifier/Provider/Source/Rights Usage Terms/Copyright Notice end up blank.

 

We have tested in CS4 and CS5 with the same result.

 

I am wondering what we are overlooking, we feel it must be some minor error...

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Valorous Hero ,
Apr 25, 2012 Apr 25, 2012

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I have tried downloading the file from your site without any luck, but I have updated the original with the required fields, so please could you download and test this version please.

 

DIY Metadata.jsx

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New Here ,
Apr 25, 2012 Apr 25, 2012

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hi

 

this is the correct link (Archive.zip)

 

However - your script WORKS!!! You rock. Thanks so much!

 

-p

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Valorous Hero ,
Apr 25, 2012 Apr 25, 2012

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Thanks for that, I have had a quick look and there are numerous errors in the code, namespaces, variables and field types are incorrect.

I have tested the csv file with my new version and that works with the exception of "Provider" I do not know what field this refers to and can't find it?

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New Here ,
Apr 25, 2012 Apr 25, 2012

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Here's a secret for you, then. Provider=Credit Line (same field). They changed the field name after CS4. Any metadata you enter in as Credit Line is even backwards compatible and opens as Provider in CS4. (obviously it works the other way around, too).

We are doing a side-by-side to learn where we went wrong. Still learning.

-P

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Valorous Hero ,
Apr 26, 2012 Apr 26, 2012

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Thank you, I was using CS6 Beta so it looks as if that field has been reverted back to Credit Line.

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New Here ,
Mar 21, 2016 Mar 21, 2016

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Hello

 

I know this is an ancient thread, but I have found Paul's superb DIY Custom Metadata script at ps-bridge-scripts.talktalk.net

Paul is amazing.  It's so helpful and does everything I need, except that it overwrites existing keywords, rather than appending those in the csv.  For my situation I really need to be able to append keywords to the files.  (The 'Append Metadata' template is no good because of all the variations and I need to do this via csv).

 

Does anyone know how this script could be modified to append instead of overwriting?

 

Many thanks

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Guide ,
Mar 21, 2016 Mar 21, 2016

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Find the line:

myXmp.deleteProperty(XMPConst.NS_DC,'subject');

either delete the line or comment it out:-

//myXmp.deleteProperty(XMPConst.NS_DC,'subject');

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New Here ,
Mar 22, 2016 Mar 22, 2016

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wow, thanks so much SuperMerlin, that's immensely helpful!!

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Guest
Dec 13, 2016 Dec 13, 2016

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Hi Paul,

I am also interested in importing metadata from Excel into Bridge. The URL you provided to your script doesn't seem to work any longer. Could you provide a URL that works?

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Community Expert ,
Dec 13, 2016 Dec 13, 2016

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As mentioned above, I personally would just use ExifTool. However for a Bridge solution try these links returned by a Google search using the keyword “DIY Metadata”:

 

Prepression: Extracting Metadata to .CSV

 

Do It Yourself Metadata Input

 

Digital Projects for Fondren Library / Photometadata import script

 

Scripts | Image Metadata to CSV File.

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Community Expert ,
Aug 23, 2017 Aug 23, 2017

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Hello, the script is now hosted here: DIY Metadata.jsx

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New Here ,
Dec 08, 2017 Dec 08, 2017

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Hey Paul, I'm trying to edit your script to fill in the "IPTC Subject Code" and keep getting an error from the log for my added input/variable. I basically used other fields as an example to edit the code. I can get your predefined fields to work when using a csv for the input, but can't get my own added IPTC Subject Code to to write. Please help 

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Community Beginner ,
Jun 17, 2018 Jun 17, 2018

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I'm trying to achieve EXACTLY same with you!

I know it's an old thread but if someone can help me on adding "IPTC Subject Code" that'll be amazing.

I think I went wrong with somewhere around here..?

if(doIPTC){

         try{

        myXmp.deleteProperty(XMPConst.NS_PHOTOSHOP, "IPTCSubjectCode");

       myXmp.appendArrayItem(XMPConst.NS_PHOTOSHOP, "IPTCSubjectCode", IPTC);

          }catch(e){sendError(errorLog,decodeURI(fileName)+ " :: Bad IPTC Subject Code : "+IPTC);}

            }

Thanks

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2018 Jun 17, 2018

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I don’t have time for a detailed reply at the moment, initial research shows:

Iptc4xmpCore:     =>     http://iptc.org/std/Iptc4xmpCore/1.0/xmlns/

Iptc4xmpExt:      =>     http://iptc.org/std/Iptc4xmpExt/2008-02-29/

And:

<Iptc4xmpCore:SubjectCode>

            <rdf:Bag>

               <rdf:li>Test Entry</rdf:li>

            </rdf:Bag>

</Iptc4xmpCore:SubjectCode>

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Community Beginner ,
Jun 17, 2018 Jun 17, 2018

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Sorry I'm not familiar with scripting... No idea what you mean

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2018 Jun 17, 2018

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I can sometimes hack scripts, but not write them from scratch.

So you can either wait for somebody to help, or explore alternative methods:

Prepression: Extracting Metadata to .CSV

I personally would use the methods listed in post #17 to export and import this data using ExifTool.

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