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 Checks/Rating/Color labels/Categories(Keywords)



SOLUTION
It is required to fix paths in the database.

Option A - one by one

1. 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.
2. goto Settings > Catalog
   • select single folder
3. press Relocate button
   • update new Path
     Note: it is case sensitive
   • press OK

Option B - batch processing - export/import

1. prerequisites
   • make backup of your XnView.db
2. Export catalog
   • press Export... (Browser tab > File > Catalog)
   • set .xml file via ... button
   • check 'Export Rating & Color labels' checkbox
3. Edit exported catalog
   • open .xml file in text editor (eg Notepad)
   • Replace old path with new
     Note: it is case sensitive
   • Save .xml file
4. Import catalog
   • press Clear&Import... (Browser tab > File > Catalog)
   • press OK in confirmation popup

Option C - batch processing - db editing

1. 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)
2. open XnView.db in db tool
3. (optional) open Browse Data tab
   • select Folders table
   • check pathnames (you can edit them one by one, but its slow)
     DBBrowser4SQLite_BrowseData_Folders.png
4. 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
5. Write changes to db
   • press Ctrl+S