I have previously posted a number of blogs that, in some way or another, speak to functionality Microsoft deprecated. Specifically:
SharePoint Online no longer supports automatic import of EXIF properties after image upload
This blog articulates how you surface at least some EXIF metadata embedded in media-type assets / files with a specific focus on EXIF metadata that may be embedded in photo or image type files.
Some of the same concepts described in this blog may quite possibly apply to other types of media files, but that is beyond the scope of what is detailed in this blog at least.
First though, I highly recommend watching the following demo video that showcases how to leverage and configure native SharePoint capabilities that enable the functionality without write any code and equally easy enough to follow for the average SharePoint user.
Solution Overview
Purely for the sake of clarification, Microsoft did not remove the capability to provision an Assets Library to store image, audio, or video files. They nonetheless fail to inform users that in order to Create an Asset Library per that article you first need to activate the Video and Rich Media feature in the Site Settings -> Site Collection features. Having activated that feature and provisioned an Assets library in your site you can thereafter read related articles such as Upload video, audio, or pictures to an Asset Library.
The creation of an Asset library is not relevant for the scope of the steps detailed below.
Create a new Document library.
In the new Document library upload about 10 or so files you know should have EXIF metadata embedded within the photos.
Hide the Modified and Modified By columns from the default view:
Add column -> Show/Hide Columns
In the library Settings page for the new Document library note the default columns provisioned when the new library was created in the Columns section on the page.
In that same section:
Click -> Add from existing site columns
On the Add Columns from Site Columns page add:
- Date Picture Taken
- Author
- Copyright
Navigate back to the default view for the new Document library.
Notice that for the 3 new site columns added to the library contain no values for any of the new columns added for the set of photos you’ve previously uploaded.
Delete all the files in the library.
Having deleted all the photos from the library, upload the same set of files to the library. Observe the default view *should now depict the same set of files, however this time with the additional 3 EXIF metadata properties embedded in the photos (where present).
Navigate back to the Add Columns from Site Columns page:
Library settings -> Add from existing site columns
- Subject
- Keywords
- Enterprise Keywords
- Comments
- Language
Navigate back to the default view for the new Document library.
Notice that for the 3 additional site columns added to the library contain no values for any of the new columns added for the set of photos you’ve previously uploaded.
Delete all the files in the library.
Having deleted all the photos from the library, upload the same set of files to the library.
Observe the default view *should now depict the same set of files, however this time with the additional 6 EXIF metadata properties embedded in the photos (where present).
How awesome is that 😎😁😎.
All donations for sharing gladly accepted or contact me to see how I may be able to help you with your own solution requirements.
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