Can not delete legacy IPTC (IIM) metadata

[mastodon]

I want to delete all legacy IPTC data with the Exiftool command processor. Mostly it can be done with one run, somtimes more needed. Now am stucked with about 200 hundred files. I always do the same thing: select files in "Pending metadata write-back" collection, as IPTC data always reappears as need to write (keywords, used for face tags). Run command processor from the menu, and let write-back pending metadata. And most of time I have to this more times.
What to do, if the files have still pending metadata, and I can erase IPTC metadata, but they reapper every time?

[Mario]

I'm not sure what you do exactly.

"Pending Metadata" means that IMatch has changes in the database which need to be written to the image.
You do that by clicking the pen icon in the File Window, or via Commands > Write-back ...

If your images contain legacy IPTC (IIM), IMatch will map XMP metadata back to IPTC during the write-back.
Write-back will not delete legacy IPTC data. IMatch just does not create legacy IPTC data when it not already exists (this is in accordance with the recommendations of the IPTC).

If you want to get rid of legacy IPTC metadata in your images, use the ExifTool Command Processor.
Run the preset "Delete legacy IPTC (IIM) Metadata". This will strip the old IPTC data from the file.
IMatch automatically scans the file afterwards.

[mastodon]

Yes, I have images pending meta data. I select them and run the preset "Delete legacy IPTC (IIM) Metadata". Still pending. I have attached some screen shots and the log file.

[Mario]

Stripping data from the image with this preset will not reset the "pending" state.
IMatch may still have XMP or other data to write.

After removing the legacy IPTC data, what does the tooltip of the pen show?

Check under Edit > Preferences > Metadata 2 which "protection" options are enabled.

[mastodon]

After removing the legacy IPTC data, the tooltip shows the same as before deleting. After deleting the pen disappears and reappears again.

[Mario]

Change "Protect existing XMP" back to No.
Retry.

If this does not help, select the file and press Shift+Ctrl+F5, then "Reload Metadata".

[mastodon]

I have done it. Still no use, pencil reappears. But I have checked with another program, and there are no IPTC data in the files. Shall I use "Clear metadata write-back queues"?

[Mario]

This will not help.
Forcing an update without metadata protection will reset all pending metadata for the file. And re-read all metadata from the file into the database,
Is it still showing that IPTC data needs to be written?

Use the "Remove file from database" command (File Window context menu).
Then rescan the folder to bring the file back. This will remove all traces of the file from the database. Since you have stripped IPTC metadata, IMatch will not propagate to IPTC on write-back anymore.

[mastodon]

I have removed file from database, then rescanned the folder. And it is all right.
Thanks!