Need to read or fix the dates, GPS data or camera details stored inside photos? ExifTool reads, writes and edits metadata in photos, videos and many other file types. Its command-line tools can inspect individual files or process whole directory trees, with options for organizing and comparing metadata.
Metadata from cameras, media, and documents
It understands the common photo metadata standards (EXIF, IPTC, XMP and GPS) as well as color profiles and MP3 ID3 tags. It also recognizes camera-specific maker notes from brands such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and GoPro. The supported file types extend beyond photographs to video, audio, office documents, and other formats.
For video files, ExifTool can read timed metadata such as GPS tracks in formats including MOV, MP4, M2TS, and AVI. When writing, it supports metadata such as EXIF, GPS, IPTC, XMP, and maker notes in compatible file types.
What can ExifTool do with a folder of files?
Commands can run over entire folder trees, pick files by their metadata, and write a text report per image. ExifTool can also rename files or arrange them into folders using dates or other metadata values.
- Shift date and time tags to correct timestamps.
- Copy metadata between files, including files in different formats.
- Delete selected metadata tags, groups of tags, or all metadata.
- Compare two files for metadata differences.
GPS, exports, and image previews
ExifTool can add locations to photos from a GPS track recording, with an option to correct for time drift. It can also create track logs from geotagged images. For inspecting or passing results to other tools, results can be exported as plain text tables, HTML, XML or JSON.
The Windows executable includes a drag-and-drop viewing workflow: dropping files or folders onto exiftool(-k).exe displays their metadata. Renaming that executable to exiftool.exe enables command-line use. When relocating it, keep the exiftool_files folder beside it.
- Pull the embedded preview JPEGs out of camera RAW files.
- Back up original images automatically when writing metadata.
Pros
- Reads and writes EXIF, GPS, IPTC, XMP, and camera maker notes
- Processes directory trees and applies metadata changes in batches
- Creates tab-delimited, HTML, XML, and JSON output
- Geotags images from GPS track logs
System requirements: 32-bit and 64-bit
Is ExifTool a graphical Windows application?
Its main interface is command-line based. The Windows executable also supports dragging files or folders onto exiftool(-k).exe to display metadata.
Can ExifTool update metadata in batches?
Yes. It can process directory trees and apply commands across multiple files.
Can ExifTool add GPS locations to photos?
Yes. It can geotag images from GPS track log files and account for time drift.