Placing entries with metadata template

[DigPeter]

When merging data with the metadata template, could there be a option to place the entry either before or after the existing data?  At present the  default is after. 

Example:  Description tag has XXX;   I wish to insert YYY at the start of the tag. to make:  YYYXXX

[Mario]

This can be easily achieved with what's already there. Remember, you can use variables to define the data you write into the output tag!

For example: You want to insert the camera make and model in front of an existing headline.
You select the headline as the target tag and use these variables:

{File.MD.Exif::Main\271\Make\0} {File.MD.Exif::Main\272\Model\0} {File.MD.XMP::photoshop\Headline\Headline\0}

You just use the variable corresponding to the output tag as part of your source. In the same way you can also append data, change and reformat existing data etc.

For example, to convert the copyright notice to all upper case, use

{File.MD.XMP::dc\rights\Rights\0|to_upper}

When you run this template on a set of files, an existing copyright notice will be changed to COPYRIGHT NOTICE.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. You can replace data that way, even conditional. Mix, merge, cut, shorten, etc...

[DigPeter]

Mario - once again thank you.  My problem is that I do not understand the technical stuff, even after reading the relevant help topics.  I have to copy what others do!  Sorry to take up your time.

Now if you can solve the problem described in https://www.photools.com/community/index.php?topic=1666.0 , you will make me a very happy bunny    Because many images are of plants, writing with metadata template a keyword level:leaf etc to dc:Title is an important time saving part of my work flow, which ensures data integrity.

[Mario]

My problem is that I do not understand the technical stuff, even after reading the relevant help topics.

Well, Metadata Templates are, at least partially, an advanced topic.

But they are very powerful and can be a big time saver in professional and "home" workflows.
The beauty of supporting variables is that you can do so much. Instead of piling option on option in the dialog, its far easier and more flexible to do it with variables and all the functions provided by variables. Tasks like "fill this tag with that data" are as easy to handle as "Replace X with Y" or "Add X but only if Y exists".

PS.: Based on your question I've added a few new samples to the Metadata Template topic.

[DigPeter]

Great idea