Managing metadata in Box Apps

Manage single or multiple metadata fields in view mode.

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Managing multiple metadata fields in view

1. Open your Box App.
2. Click the View tile with predefined search configuration.
3. Hover over a file to display the More Options menu and a check box.
4. Click the check boxes for the files whose metadata you want to edit.
5. Click the Metadata button.
6. Click the pencil icon and edit the metadata you need.

Some of the fields can have multiple values, as they can differ between the selected files. You can also change value settings:

1. Click the cogwheel icon next to the value.
2. Click one of the available options:
   1. Append – add another entry to the existing value.
   2. Clear All & Replace – remove all entries in the selected value and replace them with the data you want.
   3. Remove Entered – remove the entered value.
   4. Replace Entered – replace the entered value with a new one that you can type or choose from a drop-down list.

The available options listed above vary depending on the value type.

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Applying metadata to single files and folders

To apply metadata to a single file or folder:

1. Open your Box App.
2. Click the View tile with predefined search configuration.
3. Find the file or folder you want to apply metadata to on the list.
4. Hover over the file or folder to display options.
5. Click the check box.
   • New action buttons display next to the Save button: Move, Download, and Metadata.
6. Click the Metadata button.
7. Click Add, then choose the applicable metadata template.

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Autofilling metadata from a file

With Autofill Metadata, you can use Box AI to automatically add metadata, as suggested values, into the file’s metadata templates. Your enterprise’s Box admin must enable this feature on your account. See Using Metadata for more information.

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Editing metadata inline

You can edit metadata inline if this option is enabled for your app.

1. Open your Box App.
2. Click the View tile with predefined search configuration.
3. Find the file or folder you want to edit metadata for on the list.
4. Click the value you want to edit.

If the inline edit for a column is not available:

1. Go to Display Settings > Columns.
2. Find the column name and click it.
3. Toggle the Inline Editing option on.

You can edit dates, text, and numbers, and choose values from drop-down lists.

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Exporting metadata to CSV

To export metadata from your app:

1. Open your Box App.
2. Click the View tile with predefined search configuration.
3. Click the More Options (ellipsis) menu.
4. Click Export and choose a location where you want to save the CSV file.
5. Confirm by clicking the Export button.

App owners and co-owners can limit the export capability with an app-level toggle Allow viewers to export metadata in app settings. Export is available for all app users by default.

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Known limitations

• You cannot pick a shared folder for the exported file.
• You can export up to 10,000 items in a view.