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Dec 02, 2024

Moving forward with metadata: Metadata Editor Classic is retiring

By Maria Jordan and Jordan Duft

 

Metadata editor classic is retiring in 2025 in both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, and the new, unified, metadata editor will be the go-to for populating and updating metadata in ArcGIS. We are excited to be moving forward, and wanted to share timelines, next steps, and resources with you.

Retirement timeline

Metadata editor classic is expected to be retired in 2025.

  • ArcGIS Online – Metadata editor classic is planned to be retired and will no longer be available with the first ArcGIS Online release in 2025.
  • ArcGIS Enterprise – Metadata editor classic is planned to be retired and will no longer be available with the ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 release in 2025.
  • ArcGIS Pro – ArcGIS Pro will continue to support both the classic and new metadata editors for the foreseeable future.

For ArcGIS Pro, Online, and Enterprise, metadata previously saved using metadata editor classic will automatically be opened and saved when using the metadata editor.

Good metadata supports the FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability, reusability) data principles which fosters trust, accountability, and ultimately, making better decisions with data. The unified metadata editor is designed to simplify metadata management and editing across the ArcGIS platform.

What about my existing metadata?

Existing metadata saved using metadata editor classic will seamlessly transition to the “new” metadata editor. Therefore, you can continue to create and manage standards-based metadata using the new and improved metadata editor.  

 

Next steps

For a smooth transition, it is encouraged to adjust your organization’s workflows to use the new metadata editor in preparation for the retirement of metadata editor classic. Proactive evaluation and adoption of the metadata editor is recommended to test your workflows. If you encounter concerns or obstacles during this process, please share your feedback on the Metadata, Catalogs and Search Esri Community, or reach out to Esri Support for assistance. This feedback will help in addressing issues effectively and connecting you with relevant supporting materials or teams. 


Looking ahead

Historically, metadata editing in ArcGIS varied across products. The metadata editor was developed to reduce the complexity and unify the metadata editing experience across ArcGIS. This editor is now available across all foundational ArcGIS products—ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and ArcGIS Enterprise. The primary goal is to make metadata creation and maintenance faster and easier, enabling users to manage metadata more efficiently and consistently. Through these advancements, we look forward to a more efficient, collaborative, and innovative approach to metadata management across ArcGIS.


Resources

 

Connect with us

Please reach out to us on Esri Community if you have questions, concerns, and/or clarifications about the retirement or the transition to the new, unified, metadata editor.

 

The progression to the unified metadata editor reflects Esri’s commitment to providing and improving tools for effective metadata management. Embracing this change will ensure you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and capabilities within the ArcGIS platform.

This blog was updated on October 20, 2025.

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Maria Jordan

Maria Jordan is a senior product marketer at Esri specializing in ArcGIS products and apps designed to improve community engagement, communication, collaboration, and data sharing. She has been at Esri for 20+ years in a variety of marketing roles and is focused on creating practical resources that convey best practices and customer successes to help organizations achieve their goals.

Jordan Duft

Jordan Duft is a product manager for metadata, catalog, and search functionalities across the ArcGIS platform. She enjoys working with cross-functional teams to support users as they unlock the full potential of their geospatial data.

Article Discussion:

4 responses to “Moving forward with metadata: Metadata Editor Classic is retiring”

  1. Thanks for sharing this update! So I got that Metadata Editor classis is being retired, and when it is, any existing metadata in AGO/Enterprise will transition to the new metadata editor. What I am not understanding is what is actually changing about the editor between the new vs classic? Can you provide any specifics? Thanks for your help.

    • Thank you for the question!

      Some key features that distinguish the metadata editor from the classic version include:

      • Modern User Interface: A more user-friendly interface.
      • Essential Metadata Tab: Presents required and suggested metadata elements for the active metadata style, facilitating compliance with international standards.
      • Search Functionality: Helps locate metadata elements efficiently.
      • Overwrite Functionality: Overwrite item or sublayer metadata using an item’s URL/ID or an ArcGIS Metadata XML file.

       
      For more information, refer to the available resources. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions!

      The New Metadata Editor is Out of Beta
      View and edit metadata (ArcGIS Online)
      View and edit metadata (ArcGIS Enterprise)

  2. Thanks for sharing! I see that the new Unified Metadata Editor is available in AGOL and Enterprise. You also mentioned ArcPro briefly. If this editor will soon be integrated into ArcGIS Pro, does it mean the current .NET SDK ‘style’ metadata editor(s) in ArcGIS Pro will still be supported? Or will there be a new .NET SDK-based metadata editor for ArcGIS Pro that offers the same functionality as the AGOL/Enterprise editor? We use a customized editor in ArcGIS Pro based on the ArcGIS Pro Metadata Toolkit, so I just want to ensure it will be supported in the future.

    • Thank you for the questions! It is on the near-term roadmap for the new, unified metadata editor, available in ArcGIS Online and Enterprise, to be implemented into ArcGIS Pro. Please note that both the existing metadata editor in ArcGIS Pro and the unified metadata editor will be supported in ArcGIS Pro. It is not on the roadmap to retire the existing/classic metadata editor in ArcGIS Pro, and therefore, Esri will continue to support the SDK at this time.

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