How to Import Metadata Into Mac Files

The metadata attached to files on a Mac computer allow applications to organize the files and display that information when it is needed. For example, images imported from a digital camera through iPhoto can include metadata about when and where the photo was taken and the camera that was used to take it. Information is imported automatically with the file when it is imported to your Mac, however you can access and modify some of the metadata yourself within the application after it has been imported, such as the songs imported into iTunes for example. In addition to application-specific metadata, all files on a Mac also include metadata that is accessible by your Mac through the Finder and can be used by Spotlight when you later search for that file.

Instructions

1. Importing Metadata with the Finder

   • 1
     Launch Finder on your Mac and drag any file from an external device into a folder on your Mac.
   • 2
     Click the file to highlight it, then press “Command-I” to open the Information window. Review the information associated with the file.
   • 3
     Add or edit information in the “Spotlight Comments” section by clicking the text field and typing information in the field. This metadata is used by Spotlight when you are searching for files. For example if a photo is simply named “photo1.jpg,” you can add the names of the people in the photo, or any other information to later retrieve it through a search using Spotlight.

   Importing Metadata with iPhoto

   • 1
     Connect a digital camera to your computer and launch iPhoto if it does not launch automatically.
   • 2
     Select the photos you would like to import. Press “Command-A” to select all of them, or click on each photo individually while pressing the “Command” key. Click “Import Selected.”
   • 3
     Click the “Last Import” item in the left menu, then click a photo. Press “Command-I” to open the Information window. Metadata for the file is organized in four sections: Image, File, Camera and Exposure.
   • 4
     Click the triangle beside any section title to see the details in that section. The Image section displays the image dimensions and date the photo was taken. The File section shows when the image file name, size, the date it was last modified and last imported. The Camera section shows the make and model of the camera as well as the software version of the camera. The Exposure section shows the shutter speed, aperture, exposure settings, focal length, as well as any other information that may be available. If your camera has GPS capability, the GPS Latitude, Longitude and Altitude.

   Importing Metadata with iTunes

   • 1
     Launch iTunes and import a song or video by dragging it into your iTunes Library in the left menu. Alternatively select “Add to Library” from the File menu.
   • 2
     Click on the song or video in iTunes to highlight it. Press “Command-I” to open the Information window.
   • 3
     Click any of the tabs at the top of the Information window to see the information that was imported with the file. Edit or add additional information to the file by clicking on a text field and typing the information you want associated with the file. Click “OK.”