Description
When editing an ESRI Data & Maps dataset and then converting it to another feature class or exporting some features to a new dataset, the metadata file that accompanies the dataset does not automatically update all elements to reflect the changes.
Cause
By default, all metadata in ESRI Data & Maps have the metadata property, 'Do not automatically update metadata.', checked.
In ArcCatalog:
1. Select the dataset in the Catalog tree.
2. Click the Metadata tab.
3. Click the Metadata Properties button on the Metadata toolbar.
4. Click the Options tab.
5. Click OK or Cancel.
For this reason, an ESRI Data & Maps metadata file does not automatically update.
Note:
This default setting overrides the setting ‘Automatically update metadata whenever an item’s metadata is viewed in the Metadata tab.’ in the Tools > Options > Metadata tab > Updating metadata.
In ArcCatalog:
1. Click the Tools menu and click Options.
2. Click the Metadata tab. The setting is in the Updating metadata section.
3. Click OK or Cancel.
Workaround
To re-establish automatic updating for the dataset, do the following:
- Ensure the metadata file is not read-only.
- Uncheck the metadata property 'Do not automatically update metadata.'
In ArcCatalog:
a. In the Catalog tree, select the dataset whose metadata needs to be updated.
b. Click the Metadata tab.
c. Click the Metadata Properties button on the Metadata toolbar.
d. Click the Options tab.
e. Uncheck the metadata property ‘Do not automatically update metadata.’
f. Click OK.