Metadata Update Tools

Since the Built-In Metadata editor is such a pain, I have done some research to find easier Metadata Editors. Here are two that I have found that focus only on the critical metadata:

Editor #1: Three Tab Metadata Editor (zip file)

Source website

How to install the tool:

1. Create a temporary directory on your hard drive to place the download file.
2. Then from this web page download the self extracting zip file into that directory (you may need to right click on the image of the diskette above and select “Save Target As…”.
3. In “My Computer” or “Windows Explorer” double click the self extracting file. This will give you three files (setup.exe, ThreeTabEditor.CAB, and SETUP.LST), you may need to refresh your window to see these files.
4. Make sure ArcCatalog is NOT open.
5. If you have previously installed the tool you should uninstall the tool by going to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and finding the Three Tab Editor.
6. Install the tool using the setup program provided. Do this by double clicking on “setup.exe”. The Three Tab Editor Setup window will open and request you to press the “OK” button to install the editor. By default the editor will be installed in your “C:\Program Files\ThreeTabEditor” directory, if you are ok with the directory location then press the large button in the upper left of the screen (it looks like a computer) to proceed with the install. The files will then be copied to the appropriate place on your hard drive. You should get a message that say that the setup was successful, press the “OK” button to close the installation window.
7. You may now delete the temporary directory you created in step 1.

Editor #2: EPA Metadata Editor (EME) v. 2.1

This is a more comprehensive metadata editor, but I think that the Three Tab Editor will do just fine.  Source, instructions and documentation are at the EPA Metadata Editor (EME) page