How to Export File Metadata to Excel (3 Effective Methods)

In this article, we will discuss how to export file metadata to Excel. The metadata of the file contains the necessary information regarding the file, e.g.: file name, size, date modified, etc. Users can export that metadata to Excel and keep track of the files.

How to Export File Metadata to Excel: 3 Effective Ways

The 3 ways we are going to show to export any file metadata to an Excel file include the following:

– We will use the Get Data command
– We can also manually extract the data from an Excel file.
– Finally, we will use the FileList software, a third-party tool, to export the metadata.

We will export metadata from the following sample files in Windows.

1. Using the Get Data Feature of Excel

In this instance, we will use the Get Data command to export metadata to Excel. We will load the data from the file and decorate it in the Excel file.

Steps:

Firstly, go to the Data tab.
Secondly, select the Get Data option.
Thirdly, from the drop-down list, select From File.
Finally, from the outstretched options, choose From Folder.

After that, select the desired folder and click on Open.

As a result, all the metadata of the files within that folder will be presented in a tabular form.
Next, select Load.

Consequently, all the metadata will be exported to Excel.

Thus you can export all the metadata of files from a certain folder. The column widths are a bit wider, so the content of the output looks smaller in the image.

2. Extract Metadata Manually from Excel File

In this example, we will manually export the file metadata of an Excel file. We will use the Info option of Excel to do so.

Steps:

To begin with, go to the File tab.

Then, first, choose the Info option.
Secondly, click on Show All Properties.

As a result, we will get all the necessary metadata associated with that Excel file.

You can type this information and store it them an Excel sheet. Thus we can export metadata of an Excel file manually using the Info feature.

Read More: How to Show Excel Metadata Viewer

3. Using Third-Party Software to Extract Metadata

In this example, we will use the FileList software to export file metadata to Excel. Here, we will use the Windows command window to run the commands.

Steps:

To begin with, go to the JamSoftware website to download the FileList software.

Then, extract the zip file.
Next, copy the exe file.

Paste the copied file to the folder containing the files which metadata we will export.

Thereafter, in the Title Bar type ‘cmd’ to jump to the Windows Command Interface.

In the command window, type the following,

FileList.exe /AUTHORS > Metadata.txt

Then, hit Enter.

As a result, a text file named ‘Metadata.txt’ will be created containing all the metadata of those files.
After that, go to the Data tab of an Excel file.
Then, select From Text/CSV.

Then, browse the Windows interface and look for the newly created text file.
Next, select the file and click on Import.

As a result, all the metadata of those files will be in a tabular form in a prompt.
Finally, click on Load.

Consequently, we will have the metadata of the files exported to an Excel file.

Read More: How to Create Metadata in Excel

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook here.

Export File Metadata.xlsx

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed 3 methods to export file metadata to Excel. These methods will allow users to articulate the metadata of files in a proper way in Excel and manipulate them if necessary. If you have any questions regarding this essay, feel free to let us know in the comments.