Empty description shown as (Multiple Values)

[ben]

Hello,

i have two different JPG files that both (seem) to have no metadata description.
But if i select both of them in the file window, then the metadata panel shows:  (Multiple Values)
Why?

Could someone help me with these two files?

My OneDrive download link (~6MB):
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ag9hgpcNKbGJ2TC0_lyJMclIYvz3


Thanks a lot for your help,
Ben

[Mario]

Have you tried setting both to an empty value (by clicking the pen in front of the description) and then clicking on the save button in the metadata panel?

The one file has no description at all, the other has an empty description value. IMatch considers this as different, hence "multiple values". Set both to the same value if you consider this irritating (select both files, click the yellow pen in the MD panel, save).

[ubacher]

I have noticed this discrepancy. Several files selected - and as far as I know all the same description -
yet IM says multiple values. Now I at least understand why.

Just checked it again: selected 3 files, entered TEST into description field - now it says multiple values.
After I write back the metadata it is OK and TEST is displayed.

Would it not be less confusing if the multiple values test would be done on the values in memory rather than the values in the file?

[Mario]

The test is always performed on the data in the database ("in memory" in your terms).
I just tried your experiment. I selected your two sample files. MD panel shows "Multiple Values". I enter TEST and save the MD panel. Now the MD panel displays TEST because both files have the TEST description. Looks good to me.

[ubacher]

The test is always performed on the data in the database ("in memory" in your terms).

Not as I see it - just the opposite based on my tests.

[ben]

Have you tried setting both to an empty value (by clicking the pen in front of the description) and then clicking on the save button in the metadata panel?

Thanks, that worked.
I wasn't aware that "empty description" and "not existing description" are not the same.
From a user point of view i think it would make sense to treat it the same way, though. Even if it's technically not the same.


There is another thing that is confusing to me once in a while.

This is when i select two files with different descriptions and would like to delete (=set empty string) both descriptions.
After deleting the description in the MD, the MD still shows "multiple values". It only disappears (=empty string shown) after i save the change to the database.
But if both descriptions are empty at the beginning and i enter a new description to both of them, then the new description is shown immediately (without saving it to the database).

[Mario]

Does this happen after you have committed your changes via the toolbar button or Ctrl+S? Else, they are only temporary and not considered when IMatch merges the values of the selected files.
Please open a bug report if you intent to report a bug. I cannot track bugs mentioned in passing in posts in general discussions.

[ben]

opened a bug
https://www.photools.com/community/index.php?topic=8671.msg61039#msg61039