Metadata defines and stores custom information associated with your files in Box. This custom information can serve many different use cases, such as to classify legal contracts by signature date, or organize marketing assets by product line. You can set metadata within the Box web application or programmatically using the API.
You can apply, edit, and search metadata templates directly on files and folders in the Box web application. Beyond the web app, metadata integrates across several Box products:
- Box AI can automatically extract metadata from supported file types using AI-powered extraction agents.
- Box Apps lets you create views and filters based on metadata to build no-code applications.
- Box Automate can drive automated workflows based on metadata values.
Developers can programmatically create, read, update, and query metadata using the Metadata API and Metadata Query API.
Key terminology
An attribute is a key-value pair that stores a single piece of information, for example “Contract date” or “Department.”
A metadata template is a grouping of attributes that define what values can be populated for a file or folder. Admins create templates in the Admin Console to enforce consistency across the enterprise.
A metadata instance is the specific set of attribute values applied to a file or folder. An instance is created when a metadata template is applied to an item.
Custom metadata is best suited for ad-hoc, one-off additions on individual files. Metadata templates, on the other hand, are designed for structured business processes. Templates enforce uniformity across metadata application, enable advanced search on specific attribute values, and support a SQL-like query API with logical operators. They also power views and filters in Box Apps and can drive workflows in Box Automate.
When all content in Box shares a common property (for example, a department identifier), but only a subset of that content needs additional classification (for example, marketing assets that also need campaign and product-line tracking), you can apply multiple templates to the same file. Use one template for the shared property and a second for the specialized attributes.
Suggested use cases
Metadata is flexible enough to support a range of business functions:
- Legal teams can classify contracts with attributes like signature date or contract term, making discovery easier.
- Vendor Management teams can onboard and track vendor contracts for simpler reporting and cost management.
- Sales teams can organize collateral by product line, use case, or geography, while Marketing teams can centralize digital asset repositories and streamline brand efforts.
- Project Management teams can add structure and status to documents and work plans
- HR teams can standardize processes from hiring to retiring, using metadata to find common forms and analyze employee data.
Account requirements
Metadata is available for Business Plus, Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, and Enterprise Advanced accounts. To upgrade your account, contact your Box account team. It is also available on free developer accounts.
Next steps
Last modified on October 12, 2026
