Metadata editor classic is retiring in 2025 in both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, and the 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 second release of ArcGIS Enterprise in 2025.
For both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, metadata previously saved using metadata editor classic will automatically be opened and saved when using the metadata editor.
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
The ArcGIS platform has had different experiences for editing metadata. The unified metadata editor was developed to reduce the complexity and unify the metadata editing experience across ArcGIS. It will soon be seamlessly integrated into ArcGIS Pro to match the metadata editing experience in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise. The primary focus remains on simplifying and accelerating the creation and maintenance of metadata, ensuring that users can efficiently and effectively manage metadata for their data in ArcGIS. Through these advancements, we look forward to a more efficient, collaborative, and innovative approach to metadata management across ArcGIS.
Resources
- Introducing Metadata Editor Beta
- The New Metadata Editor is Out of Beta
- View and edit metadata (ArcGIS Online)
- View and edit metadata (ArcGIS Enterprise)
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 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.
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… Read more »
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.