How to fix missing metadata after moving files

[user0]

     
APP SETTINGS
when you modify metadata via overlay icons in Browser or via Metadata>Set.. menus,
XnViewMP saves metadata according to:
- Export settings in Settings>Metadata for files which app can write embedded metadata
- Sidecar settings in Settings>Metadata>Sidecar for the files which app can not write embedded metadata (eg RAW files)


ISSUE
XnViewMP will not be able to associate saved metadata with files in a new location if you move files using an external file manager,
eg you moved:

• from
  D:/Photos_OLD/2024/2402/240219_event_name/

• to
  E:/Photos_NEW/2024/2402/240219_event_name/

and app does not show your Tags/Rating/Labels/Categories(Keywords)


SOLUTION
It is required to fix paths in the database.

A - one by one
0. prerequisites

• make backup of your XnView.db

• rename current root folder with your images (eg Photos_NEW to Photos_NEW1) and do not open any image inside with XnView.
  You need to make sure that XnView has not indexed this new location.

1. goto Settings > Catalog

• select single folder

2. press Relocate button

• update new Path (Note: it is case sensitive)

• press OK

B - batch processing
0. prerequisites

• make backup of your XnView.db

• rename current root folder with your images (eg Photos_NEW to Photos_NEW1) and do not open any image inside with XnView.
  You need to make sure that XnView has not indexed this new location.

• download DB Browser for SQLite or DBeaver (or any other database administration tool)

1. open XnView.db in db tool

2. (optional) open Browse Data tab

• select Folders table

• check pathnames (you can edit them one by one, but its slow)
  DBBrowser4SQLite_BrowseData_Folders.png

3. Execute SQL query

• open Execute SQL tab

• paste query
  Note: use Slash and not Backslash, paths are case sensitive

  Code: Select all

  UPDATE Folders
  SET Pathname = REPLACE(Pathname, 'D:/Photos_OLD', 'E:/Photos_NEW1')
  WHERE Pathname LIKE 'D:/Photos_OLD%';
  

  DBBrowser4SQLite_ExecuteSQL.png

• press Ctrl+Enter

4. Write changes to db

• press Ctrl+S