A dependent metadata field is a field that's tied to another metadata field. When one parent field is completed, the dependent child field must also be completed. Only certain types of metadata can have dependent metadata.
You can set up parent metadata fields and child dependent metadata fields on the Metadata types page under Search Settings in the Admin app of Acquia DAM. Parent fields must be dropdown fields. Dependent fields can be any type of field (checkbox, numeric, text), except for dropdown fields. Dependent fields display only if you select a specific value in parent fields.
If the same metadata fields are used in different metadata types, and the fields have dependent metadata, ensure the dependencies are applied in all types. If dependent fields are applied to one metadata type but not others, assets may not be displayed appropriately in search results.
A parent field can have multiple dependent fields. For example, a parent dropdown field could be Product Brand Name. Four corresponding child dependent fields could be Product Description, Product Type, Manufacturer, and Product Size.
Asset type and photo type parent and dependent fields
If you select Photography in the Asset Type parent field in the example below, a Photo Type dependent field displays. If you choose something other than Photography in the parent field, a different dependent field displays.
Find more information about metadata field formats in this article.One of the most common uses for dependent metadata is for licensing of assets and rights management restrictions. The parent field can indicate if licensing restrictions apply, and if "yes" is chosen, the dependent field displays to allow users to indicate the specific restrictions.
You can refine searches by dependent metadata fields if you enable the Show Dependent Metadata Fields in Refine Search feature on the Features page. "Yes" must be selected in the Search Filter option for a metadata type for dependent fields to display in refined searches. Dependent fields will always display when refining searches, even if the parent field is not chosen to display.