---
title: "What are the metadata import options?"
date: "2025-01-09T16:56:12+00:00"
summary:
image:
type: "page"
url: "/acquia-dam/what-are-metadata-import-options"
id: "a11da83d-fdef-4486-a882-88c6251ce8d5"
---

Table of contents will be added

During implementation and afterwards, you can import metadata and add it to DAM assets. You have a few options to do this.  
  
**Paid service**

*   [Metadata import service](/acquia-dam/how-do-i-prepare-metadata-import-service "How do I prepare for metadata import service?")
*   Populating metadata from filenames

  
**Self service**

*   [Metadata importer](/acquia-dam/how-do-i-import-metadata "How do I import metadata?")
*   Continuous imports using the API
*   Automatic imports of IPTC, XMP, and Exif metadata 

Metadata import service
-----------------------

Acquia offers a metadata import service for purchase. You work directly with Acquia teams to create and import metadata mapped appropriately for your site. Read more about the [metadata import service process](/acquia-dam/how-do-i-prepare-metadata-import-service "How do I prepare for metadata import service?"). 

Populating metadata from filenames
----------------------------------

When assets are uploaded, segments of filenames are associated with metadata values, which populate the fields. If you have a standard filenaming convention, we can create a script that automatically maps the metadata to metadata fields when assets are uploaded. Note that there's an additional fee to populate metadata from filenames.  
  
For more complex filenames, metadata can be mapped to specific values indicated in an XLS spreadsheet. For example, a filename can contain acronyms, a job number, and a date. In this case, the acronyms can be mapped to the full phrase and the full phrase is placed in the metadata field. The job number and date are also mapped to those metadata fields.  
  
For example, for filename 1134\_BRN\_12142020\_PJK, metadata mapping would be:

*   Job Number: 1134
*   Color: Brown
*   Date: 12/14/2020
*   Photographer: Peter Kettle

  
Metadata importer
--------------------

If you have permission, you can import metadata from a CSV spreadsheet into your DAM using the [metadata importer](/acquia-dam/how-do-i-import-metadata "How do I import metadata?") tool.  
 

Continuous imports using the API
--------------------------------

In some cases, like when you're integrating the DAM with a web content management system, metadata may need to be continuously imported to the DAM. This can be done using the [API](https://widenv2.docs.apiary.io/#), which allows you to write your own methods to dynamically update metadata in the DAM in real time. Your team can choose how frequently metadata updates are made.  
 

Automatic imports
-----------------

Digital photographers can add metadata to XMP, IPTC, or Exif metadata fields or you can enter metadata in the fields of other types of assets using apps like Adobe Bridge, Lightroom, or Photoshop. That metadata can be automatically imported into the DAM and completed fields can be [mapped](/acquia-dam/how-do-i-create-mappings-metadata "How do I create mappings for metadata?") to specific metadata fields in the site.  
  
For information about adding metadata using Adobe Bridge, refer to:

*   [CreativeTechs: Importing Keywords Into Adobe Bridge](http://www.creativetechs.com/2009/01/12/importing-keywords-into-adobe-bridge/)
*   [Adobe Bridge help: Nested, hierarchical keywording](https://helpx.adobe.com/bridge/kb/nested-hierarchal-keywording-bridge.png)

All mappings should be completed prior to the upload of assets to the DAM. Metadata is tied to assets in the same manner as if you manually add the metadata.