XnView Software

When I edit and Save a jpg image that has Categories written into the original file's metadata the Categories are not in the saved image.

Steps to reproduce
1. Add Categories to images.
2. Edit image (crop, auto contrast, saturation, etc).
3. Click Save (to save a copy) or Save As.

Result
Saved images do not have any Categories assigned to them.

I have the options set to Write Categories into IPTC and XMP. Settings > Metdata.
I have the options selected to Keep EXIF, IPTC and XMP when saving. Settings > Formats > Write. Am I doing something wrong?

i'm not able to reproduce. Saved file has no XMP or IPTC metadata? Please send us your xnview.ini

Thank you Pierre. I have sent the xnview.ini file in a PM to you.
Sorry I have just noticed that if I look at the Info panel the metadata is in XMP and IPTC.
My default view has the Categories panel open. The Category is not selected for the saved image. Also the saved image does not have the little symbol on it's thumbnail. If I do Metadata > Update catalogue from files on the saved image the Category becomes selected and the symbol appears on it's icon. Do I have to do this every time or is there a setting to have the Categories automatically selected after editing and saving images?

After Metadata > Update catalogue from files

It works with your xnview.ini Please send me a sample file? and the steps to reproduce?

Thank you Pierre. Sorry I made a mistake. The metadata is in IPTC and XMP but the saved image does not have the Category selected in the Categories panel and the thumbnail of the saved image does not have the Has Category Overlay icon on it.
I have to do Metadata > Update catalogue from files to make the Category become selected in the Categories panel and the Has Category Overlay icon appear on the thumbnail. Should I have to do Metadata > Update catalogue from files? I thought that after saving an image that already had a Category assigned the resulting saved image would also have a Category assigned and have the Has Category Overlay icon on the thumbnail.

dave80 wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 8:21 pm I have to do Metadata > Update catalogue from files to make the Category become selected in the Categories panel and the Has Category Overlay icon appear on the thumbnail. Should I have to do Metadata > Update catalogue from files?

you don't need to do that, overlay will be added automatically.
Please send me a sample file? and the steps to reproduce?

I'm pretty sure OP is confused because after assigning categories,
overlay icons do not appear until you unselect file(s) or press F5

xnview wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 5:41 am

dave80 wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 8:21 pm I have to do Metadata > Update catalogue from files to make the Category become selected in the Categories panel and the Has Category Overlay icon appear on the thumbnail. Should I have to do Metadata > Update catalogue from files?

you don't need to do that, overlay will be added automatically.
Please send me a sample file? and the steps to reproduce?

Thank you,
I will email the files to you Pierre.

Here are the steps I take.

1. Import images. 2. Add Categories. 3. Overlay icons have been added and the Category is checked in the Category panel. 4. Double click to open Image and then edit it. 5. Click Save to Save a copy. 6. Return to Browser. Category is not checked and the Overlay icon is missing.

ok, thanks, i can reproduce with 'Save as' & 'Save copy'. 'Save' will overwrite the file and keep overlay.

xnview wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 2:41 pm ok, thanks, i can reproduce with 'Save as' & 'Save copy'. 'Save' will overwrite the file and keep overlay.

You're welcome. Thank you for confirming I was not doing something wrong.

dave80 wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:37 pm You're welcome. Thank you for confirming I was not doing something wrong.

i've sent you a PM

Thanks to your detailed description I can reproduce the problem.