2021.2

How data and Metadata influence each other
When Metadata are created, they are based upon a data file. However, modifying one file
doesn't automatically change the other, and Metadata aren't reset by default in a Branch,
Condition or Loop.
l
Modifying Metadata does not immediately modify the data. This is one of the benefits
of Metadata because you can sort it, filter it, sequence it, add data to it, without ever
modifying the data file itself. This is important because if you, for instance, filter out certain
data pages from the Metadata and then save your data file with the Send to Folder task,
the full data file is saved, not the filtered one. However in some cases Metadata does
affect your output directly (see "How Metadata affects the output" on the facing page).
l
Modifying data does not immediately modify the Metadata. So, if you have a PDF file
with Metadata and you use a PDF splitter, the Metadata information would still reflect the
original data, not the split. This can generally be resolved by using the Create Metadata
plugin (again).
l
Branches, Conditions and Loops (such as the "PDF Splitter" on page466) do not
reset the Metadata. This is important to know in cases where Metadata does affect your
output (see "How Metadata affects the output" on the facing page). Not handling the
Metadata properly in such cases can cause confusing issues because the Metadata and
the Data may become out of sync.
How tasks influence Metadata
As a general rule, only Input tasks and Metadata related tasks modify Metadata. There are,
however, a few notable exceptions:
l "Run Script" on page482 tasks can modify Metadata using the "Metadata API" on
page197 (see "Using Scripts" on page141).
l "Create PDF" on page397 has the option to reset your Metadata according to the new
PDF file.
l "OL Connect tasks" on page591 can add information, such as record IDs, a record set ID
or a print job ID, to the Metadata. They put it under 'User defined information' on the Job,
Group or Document level.
l The "Barcode Scan" on page386 task can add information to the existing Metadata, and
creates it if there is none.
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