Changing metadata on hundreds of photos without opening each one
You have a folder of 400 photos from one shoot. They all need the same copyright line, the same location and the same keywords. Doing that one file at a time takes an afternoon. The Batch Editing Plug-in for Exif Pilot is built for this job. It adds bulk processing to the Exif Pilot metadata editor.
Quick facts
- Works with: Exif Pilot, the free metadata editor from Two Pilots
- Platforms: Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11
- Plug-in price: 79.95 EUR
- Exif Pilot itself: free, with 32-bit and 64-bit versions
- Trial: you can test the free editor before buying the plug-in
Key features
Edit and create metadata for many photos at once
The plug-in adds multiple photo processing to Exif Pilot. You change EXIF, GPS, IPTC and XMP values across a whole set of images in one pass.
Copy one tag's value into another across a large set
You can copy the value of one tag to another within each image, for a large number of photos.
Export metadata to one file or many
You can import and export metadata to a single file or to several separate files. Exif Pilot's free version already handles XML, MS Excel and CSV text formats.
Script metadata changes from the command line
A command line mode lets you edit and create metadata without opening the interface.
What the free editor already does
Exif Pilot lets you view and edit EXIF, EXIF GPS, IPTC and XMP data. It also removes tags, cleans up all metadata, edits keywords and some Makernote tags, and creates Photo Sphere metadata for panoramas. The plug-in only adds the bulk features.
Supported formats: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, DNG, NEF, PEF, CR2, CRW, JP2, ORF, SRW, ARW, SR2 and PSD can be read, edited and created. MRW, RW2, PGF, EPS, HEIC and RAF are read-only.
Who it's for
- Photographers who tag whole shoots with the same artist, copyright or caption data.
- Anyone digitizing scanned slides who keeps details in a spreadsheet and wants to push them into the image files.
- Nature and event photographers who add the same species, place or date to many pictures.
- People who want to script metadata edits from the command line.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The core editor is free, so you can check it handles your tags first.
- Wide metadata coverage: EXIF, GPS, IPTC and XMP.
- Spreadsheet and CSV import/export.
- Many RAW formats are supported.
Cons
- Processed files must be in the same folder.
- It views only the tags it knows, and can change only some of them.
- No upgrades are planned and no technical support is provided. The product is sold as is.
- Windows only.
What users say
"The Batch Editing plugin speeds the process up and re-sults in fewer random typing errors." (Michael Berry, quoted on the Two Pilots site)
FAQs
Do I need Exif Pilot to use the plug-in?
Yes. The plug-in adds batch features to Exif Pilot and does not run on its own.
Can it process files from different folders at once?
No. Files you process together must be in the same directory.
Will it edit every tag my camera writes?
Not necessarily. Tags differ by camera brand, and Exif Pilot changes only part of the tags it knows. Check your tags in the free version before buying.
Are RAW files editable?
Some are. CR2, NEF, DNG, ARW and ORF can be edited. RAF and MRW are read-only.
Is there a 64-bit version?
Yes. Exif Pilot comes in 32-bit and 64-bit builds. The 64-bit one is recommended for image files over 100 MB.
System requirements
Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11. Exporting to or importing from MS Excel in the 64-bit version needs 64-bit MS Excel, 64-bit MS Access and the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable.