Renaming custom metadata values causing connections to the associated files to be lost

DEVONthink
1

I use custom metadata to assign type-tags via a set list to have a dropdown list. However, I sometimes refine my list and rename the values (for example I started out using simple names and added emoticons to group similar types such as plan and agenda types). DEVONthink then deletes the connections between these values and the assigned files. Is there a way to retain the connections/‘meta tags’ in the files and while renaming the values?

Here is a screenshot of what I am referring to

Screenshot 2025-04-22 at 22.38.40
Screenshot 2025-04-22 at 22.38.40820×786 58.8 KB

1 Like
2

Development would have to assess this but it’s certainly the first request I can recall.
Why aren’t you just using actual tags?

3

I am trying to streamline my tags system. Also it is easier to sort via custom metadata. I was following tags but it gets really crowded in there.

4

One possibility would be to…

  1. Add a value with the desired new name in Settings > Data
  2. Run a script that checks the custom metadata of all items and replaces the old value with the new one
  3. Remove the value with old name in Settings > Data

But obviously you found an easier solution:

Time for some coffee… :joy:

2 Likes
5

thank you! ah, no, these are two different processes :smiley: In this thread I wanted to achieve exactly the renaming without losing the associated data in the related files