Overview
When a metadata field in Portfolio is not configured for embedding, changes to that field are stored in the Portfolio catalog only and are not written into the asset file itself. This article explains how to configure fields for embedding and how to force embedding for assets that have already been ingested.
Configuring a field for metadata embedding
- Open Portfolio Administration and navigate to Fields.
- Select the field you wish to configure and click Edit.
- In the field settings, locate the Embed option and enable it.
- Map the field to the appropriate XMP, IPTC, or EXIF property using the Mapping section.
- Save your changes.
Note: Not all field types support embedding. Embedding is supported for text, number, and date fields that have a corresponding XMP or IPTC mapping.
Forcing metadata embedding after ingestion
If assets were ingested before a field was configured for embedding, you can force embedding retroactively:
- In the Portfolio client, select the assets you want to update. Use Edit > Select All to select all assets in a catalog.
- Right-click and choose Embed Metadata (or go to Assets > Embed Metadata).
- Portfolio will write the current metadata values from the catalog into each asset file.
Important: Embedding modifies the original asset files. Ensure you have backups before performing a bulk embed operation.
Troubleshooting
- Embed option is greyed out: The file format may not support metadata embedding (e.g., some RAW formats or proprietary file types).
- Metadata not appearing after embed: Verify that the field mapping is correctly set to a standard XMP or IPTC property recognised by the target application.
- Permission errors: Portfolio requires write access to asset files to embed metadata. Check file and folder permissions.