Editing Asset Metadata

ReelStorage stores industry-standard IPTC metadata on every asset. You can edit fields like title, description, copyright, and location on a single asset or across many assets at once. This guide walks through both workflows.

What You'll Learn

How to open the metadata panel and view IPTC fields on an asset
How to enter metadata editing mode and update fields
How to use the "Show all fields" toggle to reveal empty fields
How to fill in creator and copyright information
How to edit metadata in bulk across multiple assets

Step 1: Open Your Project

Navigate to your project from the dashboard. The asset grid displays all uploaded assets as thumbnails. The toolbar at the top of the grid provides access to sorting, filtering, and tool modes including the metadata editor.

Project asset grid with uploaded photos and the toolbar at the top

Click the Tools button in the toolbar. A popover appears with four tool modes: Tagging Mode, Edit Metadata, Smart Tagging, and Create Approval. Click Edit Metadata to switch the grid into a split-view layout with the metadata editor panel on the right side of the screen.

Tools popover showing Edit Metadata option among other tool modes

Step 3: Select an Asset to Edit

Click any asset in the grid. The metadata editor panel on the right populates with the selected asset's current IPTC field values. The panel header reads "Edit Metadata" and shows a Show all fields toggle at the top. Below it, accordion sections organize fields into groups: Content Description, Classification, Creator & Rights, Location, and more.

Metadata editor panel showing IPTC fields organized in accordion sections for the selected asset

Step 4: Toggle Show All Fields

By default, the editor only displays fields that already have values. Turn on the Show all fields switch at the top of the editor to reveal every available IPTC field. This is useful when you need to fill in fields that are currently empty, such as title, description, or copyright information. The fields are grouped under collapsible accordion sections so you can focus on one group at a time.

Metadata editor with Show all fields toggle enabled, revealing empty IPTC fields in accordion sections

Step 5: Fill In Content Description Fields

Start with the Content Description section. Enter a descriptive Title for the asset, add a Description that captures the context of the image, and set a Headline for editorial use. The Title and Description fields are the most commonly searched, so clear, specific text here makes your assets easier to find later.

Content Description section with title, description, and headline fields filled in

Step 6: Add Creator and Copyright Information

Expand the Creator & Rights section by clicking its header. Fill in the Creator field with the photographer's name, set the Copyright notice, and add a Credit Line that specifies how the image should be attributed when published. These fields are embedded in exported files, so any downstream recipient will see the correct ownership information.

Creator and Rights section expanded with creator name, copyright notice, and credit line filled in

Tip

Fill copyright and creator fields right after uploading new assets. This ensures every exported file carries proper attribution from the start.

Step 7: Save Your Changes

Click Save Changes at the bottom of the editor. A success toast confirms the metadata was updated. The editor stays open so you can select another asset and continue editing without leaving the mode.

Success toast confirming metadata was updated after clicking Save Changes

Step 8: Select Multiple Assets for Bulk Editing

To edit metadata across several assets at once, hold Shift and click additional assets in the grid. The editor header changes to "Edit N Assets" with a badge showing the selection count. Fields that have different values across the selected assets display conflict indicators with options to replace or keep existing values.

Metadata editor in bulk mode showing Edit 3 Assets header with conflict badges on differing fields

Warning

In bulk mode, saving overwrites the edited fields on all selected assets. Fields you leave empty are not changed. Double-check which assets are selected before saving.

Step 9: Save Bulk Changes

After filling in the shared values you want to apply, click Save Changes. All selected assets receive the updated metadata in a single operation. A toast confirms how many assets were updated. This is the fastest way to apply consistent copyright, location, or event data across an entire shoot.

Bulk metadata editor with shared title and copyright fields filled, ready to save across selected assets

Tips and Best Practices

Set copyright on upload batches: When you upload a batch of photos from the same shoot, select all of them and set shared fields (copyright, creator, location) in one pass using bulk editing.
Use headlines for editorial workflows: The Headline field is designed for short, publishable summaries. If your team distributes images to press or media outlets, fill this field consistently.
Collapse sections you do not need: The accordion layout lets you hide field groups that are not relevant to your workflow. Your open/closed preferences persist between sessions.

Troubleshooting

Why are some fields hidden?

The editor hides empty fields by default to reduce clutter. Turn on Show all fields at the top of the panel to reveal them.

Why can't I see the Edit Metadata option?

The Edit Metadata tool requires the "editMetadata" permission on the project. Ask your organization owner or admin to grant this permission to your role.

Why does the Save button stay disabled?

The Save button activates only after you change at least one field value. In bulk mode, all field conflicts must be resolved before saving. Check that each conflicting field has a value entered or a strategy selected (Replace All or Consistent).

What's Next

Using Tags and Metadata: Create tags to label assets with people, objects, and locations
Browsing and Selecting Assets: Learn about sorting, filtering, and selecting assets in your grid