Metadata Editor

Metadata Editor is used to enter or confirm information (such as artist, year or genre) that will be embedded in an exported audio file. Embedded metadata displays in software applications like iTunes® or Windows Media Player, or portable players like iPod®.

Most export formats support at least the seven default tags in Metadata Editor, but support in player applications varies from almost universal for the ID3 tags used by MP3 to negligible for WAV. See this Frequently Asked Question for more details.

Accessed by: File > Open Metadata Editor...

• By default, Metadata Editor appears for each exported file after choosing the file format in the Export File or Export Multiple dialogs.
• When using Export Multiple, it's often easier to uncheck "Show Metadata Editor before export step" in Import / Export Preferences, then enter any tags common to all tracks at File > Open Metadata Editor... before exporting. Audacity will then add the automatically generated Track Title and Track Number tags for each exported file without the Editor appearing.
• Metadata Editor shows data for the most recently imported track in the project, not the selected track. If you need the editor to show separate data for each track, import the files into separate projects.
• Use the OK button in Metadata Editor to complete the Export. The Save... button only saves an optional template of Tag names and values.

Tag and Value fields

• Tag Name: The first seven Tag names are permanent and cannot be edited. You can add more Tag rows and give them a customised name and value using the "Add" button (see below). Note: "Album Title", "Track Number", "Genre" and customized tags are not supported for WAV and will not be exported or imported.
• Tag Value: Type in the data you want for each Tag, or accept the data already present from an imported file. You don't have to fill in every value. When exporting multiple files, the "Track Title" and "Track Number" tags are pre-filled automatically from the names and ordering of the tracks or labels.

  Single-clicking on a value field (or navigating into it with the keyboard Arrow keys) selects that field - typing will replace the contents. Tab can be used too, and also permits navigation into the buttons below the Tag and Value fields.

• Double-clicking a field (or selecting it, then using keyboard F2) highlights the text in the field. This allows the text to be edited rather than merely replaced, and permits cut, copy or paste using standard system shortcuts or a right-click context menu. Use keyboard Home, End or Arrow keys to navigate to individual characters. Once a value field has been replaced or edited, press the Return key to select the next value field, or click in any other one to select it.

The Genre field behaves slightly differently because it contains a drop-down list of genre names. To use this field, double-click it, or use F2 after selecting it. You may then type a custom genre name. To select from the list, click the downward-pointing arrow to right of the drop-down, or use keyboard Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys. A custom genre typed into the drop-down is not added to the list permanently - use the Edit button (see below) to edit the list directly.

• Add: Adds a new, empty row to the list for your own custom Tag (by default there is already one empty row at the bottom of the list). You can select and edit both the name and value fields exactly as above.
• Remove: Removes the currently selected custom row from the list, or the value data only from the currently selected permanent row.
• Clear: Returns the Editor to default state (seven permanent tag names with empty values, plus one empty row).

Genres

• Edit: Edits the drop-down list displayed in the Value field of the Genre tag. The entire list is selected on open. To navigate it for editing, click the required item or use the keyboard Arrow keys. To add an entry, press keyboard End then type the name you want. The list will be automatically sorted when saved.
• Reset: Resets the genre list to the default.

Template

• Load: Loads a previously saved list of Tag names and values into Metadata Editor.
• Save: Saves the current list of Tag names and values to a file on your drive.
• Set Default: Makes the current list of Tag names and non-empty values the default state when opening a new, empty project. This means that if you import a file containing metadata then open Metadata Editor, the metadata shown will still be that for that file. If you always want a fixed set of metadata to show when importing a file, you need to save that set as a template and load it.