BUG: IPTC data shown but not searchable
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 5:56 pm
I'd like to raise this as a bug.
When XnViewMP imports IPTC data from an XMP file, the IPTC data is not searchable in Quick Filter.
To reproduce, place an XMP sidecar file alongside an image file. The sidecar file should contain XMP tags that map to IPTC tags.
In this example, I am using XMP:Instructions which maps to IPTC:SpecialInstructions
for settings, use Edit IPTC->Options->Mode = XMP, update or create IPTC-IIM
The content of a sample XMP file is at the bottom of this message. It will work with any image file named x.jpg
Now do the following to import the data and see the problem:
0. Metadata->Edit IPTC->Options->Mode: XMP, update or create IPTC-IIM
1. Place an XMP file next to a JPG file (x.jpg and x.jpg.xmp the example xmp file is shown at the end of the post)
2. Metadata->Update Catalog From Files
2b. Select in the browser the image that has the xmp file.
3. Metadata->Edit XMP (observe the data is visible in the Instructions field)
4. CANCEL Edit XMP
5. Metadata->Edit IPTC (observe the data is visible in the Special Instructions field)
6. CANCEL Edit IPTC
7. In Quick Filter, search for the data. (Type Visible)
You get no hits. The data is visible in the IPTC dialog, but it is NOT searchable.
It will not become searchable until you select a file, and do Metadata->Edit IPTC and WRITE.
So the data is properly imported. It's visible in XMP, and mapped and visible in IPTC, but it's not searchable. I think that's a defect.
I think the IPTC version of the field should be searchable as soon as the data is imported if the options are set correctly, but it's not.
I have tried all four values of the Edit IPTC->Options->Mode setting, none resolve the problem.
Settings->Sidecar->Create or update XMP sidecar does not resolve the problem regardless of setting.
x.jpg.XMP file below the ------ line
-------
<?xpacket begin='' id='W5M0MpCehiHzreSzNTczkc9d'?>
<x:xmpmeta xmlns:x='adobe:ns:meta/' x:xmptk='Image::ExifTool 13.34'>
<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf='http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#'>
<rdf:Description rdf:about=''
xmlns:photoshop='http://ns.adobe.com/photoshop/1.0/'>
<photoshop:Instructions>Visible in IPTC but not searchable
</photoshop:Instructions>
</rdf:Description>
</rdf:RDF>
</x:xmpmeta>
<?xpacket end='w'?>
When XnViewMP imports IPTC data from an XMP file, the IPTC data is not searchable in Quick Filter.
To reproduce, place an XMP sidecar file alongside an image file. The sidecar file should contain XMP tags that map to IPTC tags.
In this example, I am using XMP:Instructions which maps to IPTC:SpecialInstructions
for settings, use Edit IPTC->Options->Mode = XMP, update or create IPTC-IIM
The content of a sample XMP file is at the bottom of this message. It will work with any image file named x.jpg
Now do the following to import the data and see the problem:
0. Metadata->Edit IPTC->Options->Mode: XMP, update or create IPTC-IIM
1. Place an XMP file next to a JPG file (x.jpg and x.jpg.xmp the example xmp file is shown at the end of the post)
2. Metadata->Update Catalog From Files
2b. Select in the browser the image that has the xmp file.
3. Metadata->Edit XMP (observe the data is visible in the Instructions field)
4. CANCEL Edit XMP
5. Metadata->Edit IPTC (observe the data is visible in the Special Instructions field)
6. CANCEL Edit IPTC
7. In Quick Filter, search for the data. (Type Visible)
You get no hits. The data is visible in the IPTC dialog, but it is NOT searchable.
It will not become searchable until you select a file, and do Metadata->Edit IPTC and WRITE.
So the data is properly imported. It's visible in XMP, and mapped and visible in IPTC, but it's not searchable. I think that's a defect.
I think the IPTC version of the field should be searchable as soon as the data is imported if the options are set correctly, but it's not.
I have tried all four values of the Edit IPTC->Options->Mode setting, none resolve the problem.
Settings->Sidecar->Create or update XMP sidecar does not resolve the problem regardless of setting.
x.jpg.XMP file below the ------ line
-------
<?xpacket begin='' id='W5M0MpCehiHzreSzNTczkc9d'?>
<x:xmpmeta xmlns:x='adobe:ns:meta/' x:xmptk='Image::ExifTool 13.34'>
<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf='http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#'>
<rdf:Description rdf:about=''
xmlns:photoshop='http://ns.adobe.com/photoshop/1.0/'>
<photoshop:Instructions>Visible in IPTC but not searchable
</photoshop:Instructions>
</rdf:Description>
</rdf:RDF>
</x:xmpmeta>
<?xpacket end='w'?>