Egnyte offers users the ability to add, update, or remove metadata tags for multiple files in a single action. Instead of modifying metadata one file at a time, users can select several files and apply the required changes simultaneously.
This helps maintain consistent metadata across related files, reduces the effort involved in large-scale metadata updates, and improves the organization and retrieval of files and documents.
Users can apply metadata tags to multiple files from the file and folder listing or from the Browse by Tags view.
The feature is available for customers on Business, Enterprise Lite, Enterprise, Essentials, Elite and Ultimate plans. To request access, contact the Egnyte Products team.
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Tag Multiple Files
Add Metadata Tag
Replace Metadata Tag
Clear Metadata Tag
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tag Multiple Files
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Select the desired files for metadata tagging and click on Tag in the context menu
Users can select a maximum of all files displayed on the current page.
- Click on the search field to search for specific namespace or property name
- Click on the desired value
Add Metadata Tag
The action to Add is selected by default. The current value is displayed based on the tags already applied on the selected files:
- If the selected property has the same tag value across all selected files, the Current value displays that tag.
- If the selected property has different tag values across the selected files, the Current value displays MULTIPLE.
- If the selected property does not have a tag value for any of the selected files, the Current value displays EMPTY.
- Specify the Values to add and click on Review & Apply.
- Review the details and click on Apply.
Replace Metadata Tag
- Select Replace all as the action and specify the Value(s) to replace with the tag. Each file’s current value(s) will be replaced with the specified value(s). Click on Review & Apply.
- Review the details and click on Apply
Clear Metadata Tag
- Click on Clear all as the action to remove the Current value(s) for all the selected files. Click on Review & Apply.
- Click on Apply to confirm
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Many Files Can be Tagged at Once?
Users can select and tag the files displaying on the current page at once. The number of items displayed per page is as per the configuration in Settings -> My Preferences -> Items displayed per page.
Does the Action Taken in the Tag Pop-Up Immediately Reflect for the Selected Files?
If the number of selected files is higher, there could be some time taken to update the files.
The users will receive a Notification when the update is complete.
Will the Actions to Add, Replace All, and Clear All be Displayed at All Times?
The available actions can vary based on the tag selected and the current value. If the Current value of the tag for the selected files is EMPTY, the users will have the option to Add a tag. The option to replace or clear tags will not be applicable in this scenario and therefore, it will not be available.
Similarly, for a single-value tag, if all the files have the same value, the action to Add the tag will not display. The available actions in this scenario will be Replace all and Clear all.
Will the Context Menu Display the Tag Option if There are Files as Well as Folders Selected?
No, the context menu will not have the Tag option if the selection comprises folders as well.
What Happens if a Selected File Already Contains One of the Values Being Added?
Existing values are not duplicated. Only new values that are not already assigned to the file are added.
Will Replacing a Tag Affect All Existing Values For That Property?
Yes. The Replace all action removes the current value(s) for the selected property and applies the specified value(s) instead.
Can Metadata Tags From Different Namespaces be Updated in a Single Action?
No. Metadata changes are applied one property at a time. Additional properties can be updated through separate tagging actions.
What Happens if the Selected Files Contain a Mix of Tagged and Untagged Values For a Property?
The current value displays as MULTIPLE, indicating that the selected files do not share the same value for the property.
Does Updating Metadata Modify the File Content or File Version?
No. Updating metadata changes only the metadata associated with the file. The file content remains unchanged.
Why is a Metadata Property Not Displayed in the Tag Dialog?
File type-scoped metadata properties are displayed only when they apply to all selected files. If the selected files do not match the file types associated with a metadata property, that property will not be available in the Tag dialog.
Who Can Tag Multiple Files, and What Happens if Some Selected Files Have Insufficient Permissions?
The Tag option is available only to users with Editor permissions or higher.
When tagging files from the Browse by Tags view, the selected files may belong to different folders within the folder hierarchy. If a user does not have Editor permissions or higher on certain files or their parent folders, those files are skipped and the metadata update is applied only to the files for which the user has sufficient permissions.