Search on "Location Name" does not work

[Pascal]

Hello,

When I search the database for a value of "Location Name" metadata, I get this result: "Empty Result - No files matching your search expression found."
However, the files I'm looking for do exist with the "Location Name" value I specified.
The "Location (Country, City, Location,...)" search option is checked.

However, if I search the database using other location metadata such as "City", "Country Code", "Country Name"...everything works fine.
It also works if I select "Search everywhere in metadata", but it obviously sometimes returns results that I don't want to include in my search.

Is there a setting I forgot or something I'm doing wrong?
I use the 2023.12.2 (64-bit) version of iMatch.
Many thanks

[Mario]

You search the database with which functionality?
The File Window search bar? Filter Panel?
When you switch the File Window Search bar to "everywhere", are the files found?

How was the location data filled? Manually? Imported from some other software? Map Panel and reverse geocoding in IMatch?

When you switch the Metadata Panel to show the layout "6. IPTC Location", what data to you see?

The search set Location (Country...) in the File Window search bar currently (that was slightly enhanced for IMatch 2024/2025) considers these tags:

XMP::photoshop\Country\Country
XMP::iptcCore\CountryCode\CountryCode
Composite\MWG-State\State
Composite\MWG-City\City
Composite\MWG-Location\Location

The "Composite\MWG-Location\Location"  tag is synchronized with "XMP::iptcExt\LocationShownSublocation\LocationShownSublocation" and "XMP::iptcCore\Location\Location" tags by IMatch when you use the structured tag editor for location (see above) or reverse geocoding.

Do all of these tags have values?
For example, try this variable in the VarToy app:

{File.MD.Composite\MWG-Location\Location\0}

I've made a quick test searching a File Window for specific locations and it works, assuming the tags searched are filled.
"Location" is one of the most complex tags, since there are so many location tags spread all over XMP. And there is of course the "location created" and "location shown" problem area we've discussed, at length, many times here in this community.

[Pascal]

Your Question: You search the database with which functionality?
Answer: The File Window search bar

Q: When you switch the File Window Search bar to "everywhere", are the files found?
A: Yes, but sometimes the query also finds files I don't want, because the "Location Name" value I'm looking for is, by coincidence, in another metadata.

Q: How was the location data filled?
A: Manually

Q: When you switch the Metadata Panel to show the layout "6. IPTC Location", what data to you see?
A: Location Shown :
    Country Code
    Country Name
    GPS Latitude
    GPS Longitude
    GPS Altitude
    Identifier
    Location Id
    Location Name
    Province State
    World Region


Since you advised me several months ago to use the layout "6. IPTC Location" rather than "1. Default", I now use the layout "6. IPTC Location". I usually fill and use "Country Code", "Country Name" and sometimes "Location Name", "Province State", "World Region".

For testing I created a file where I filled the visible fields :
City: MyCity
Country Code: MyCoutryCode
Country Name: MyCountryName
GPS Latitude: (empty)
GPS Longitude: (empty)
GPS Altitude: (empty)
Identifier: (empty)
Location Id: (empty)
Location Name: MyLocationName
Province State: MyProvinceState
Sublocation: MySubLocation

Hera are the results after using the VarToy app:
XMP::photoshop\Country\Country
   MyCountryName

XMP::iptcCore\CountryCode\CountryCode
   MyCountryCode

Composite\MWG-State\State
   MyProvinceState

Composite\MWG-City\City
   MyCity

Composite\MWG-Location\Location
   MySublocation


And now, I understand... the field "Location" shows the value I put in the "Sublocation" field...

I'm sorry if this subject has already been discussed here... I didn't know. I confess that I'm not very familiar with the community. I only make a rather rudimentary use of this application and I didn't know that this subject was complex.

So, if I understand correctly, I'd better use the "Sublocation" field and keep in mind that the "Location Name" field cannot be used for searching with the File Window search bar?

[Mario]

So, if I understand correctly, I'd better use the "Sublocation" field and keep in mind that the "Location Name" field cannot be used for searching with the File Window search bar?

Yes. For now. IMatch 2024/2025 (the next major release) includes more tags in the Location search group for the File Window search bar to deal with the fact that not all applications/users fill the "correct" location tags or that some applications don't synchronize location data across the different tags when there are multiple tags for the same "thing".

Tip1:  You can search for location name in the Filter Panel quite easily.
Enable a Metadata Value filter from the Gear drop-down menu and set it to search for sub location (created or shown, whatever you have used). This gives you precised control over where to search. To search the entire database, select the Database node in the Media & Folders View before.

Tip2: You can extend the default "Location" category IMatch manages in the Category View for you (under the IMatch Standard Categories" parent category. Add a level for location name to automatically organize your files by that tag, in addition to country, city and location. Saves a lot of searching when you only have to click a category.

[Pascal]

I'll apply your advice. Thank you very much for your responsiveness and your precise, detailed answers

[Mario]

I'll apply your advice. Thank you very much for your responsiveness and your precise, detailed answers

You will always get good support in this community and via email. All part of the IMatch experience

[Jingo]

Fyi.. you can also use the Fancy Search App to search for most location XMP tags.. I haven't checked the specifics, but I use the search to run location checks all the time across the database and file window.. Enjoy!

[Pascal]

Fyi.. you can also use the Fancy Search App to search for most location XMP tags.

Seems very interesting. Thank you! But I've been looking for an hour how to get this app and I can't find it. I must need new glasses Can you give me a link?

[sinus]

Fyi.. you can also use the Fancy Search App to search for most location XMP tags.

Seems very interesting. Thank you! But I've been looking for an hour how to get this app and I can't find it. I must need new glasses Can you give me a link?

Look here for the really very good app from Jingo.

https://www.photools.com/community/index.php/topic,9115.0.html

[Pascal]

Look here for the really very good app from Jingo.
https://www.photools.com/community/index.php/topic,9115.0.html

Thanks. I already I went through this thread but wasn't sure how to get the latest version because there are several attached zip files. The latest seems to be "FancySearch-10-2021.zip". I try it...

[sinus]

Look here for the really very good app from Jingo.
https://www.photools.com/community/index.php/topic,9115.0.html

Thanks. I already I went through this thread but wasn't sure how to get the latest version because there are several attached zip files. The latest seems to be "FancySearch-10-2021.zip". I try it...

I think also, this is the latest version. 

[Jingo]

Yes.. that is the latest version (thanks Markus!). 

Unfortunately, there isn't a way to modify the original post after a bit of time so additional versions must just be added to later posts.. and then they can get lost. I should set up a repo for all my apps.. but not sure it is worth the effort (and if folks would trust downloading them from an external site).

Anyway - enjoy the app and I hope it is helpful in some way!

[Pascal]

Anyway - enjoy the app and I hope it is helpful in some way!

And of course, a big thank-you to Jingo 

[Mario]

Just read this thread and the info about the fancy search app.
@Jingo may find this enhancement for the File Window Search Bar in IMatch 2025 interesting:



Users can configure up to 4 custom tag sets to search. This should cover most of what advanced users will ever need.

[Jingo]

That sounds really cool Mario.. the ability to save and recall specific tags to search is the main reason I still use my app.. with this feature - the app really becomes irrelevant (which is fine because the standard code is a) more efficient and b) more readily accessible).  Thx for continuing to make IMatch better and better!!

[Mario]

Thx for continuing to make IMatch better and better!!

Always improving. Sometimes the small enhancements prove to be big timer savers for many users.