--- title: "Macros: The fastest way to apply metadata to your digital assets" description: Learn how to increase the speed of your metadata management by enabling macros upon ingestion. And check out 3 key reasons why your DAM needs this feature image: https://www.fotoware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/img-blog-hero-macros-upon-upload-amalie-dane-laptop.jpg?width=1399&quality=high --- [Skip to content](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/macros-the-fastest-way-to-apply-metadata-to-your-digital-assets#main-content) - Platform Back ## Product - [Digital Asset Management platforms \>](https://www.fotoware.com/digital-asset-management-platform?hsLang=en) - [Fotoware Veloz](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/fotoware-veloz?hsLang=en) Classic DAM - [Fotoware Alto](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/fotoware-alto?hsLang=en) API-first DAM ## Additional products & add-ons - [Fotostation](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/products/fotostation?hsLang=en) High-speed desktop image management - [Flow](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/products/flow?hsLang=en) Workflow automation - [Integrations & plugins](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/integrations?hsLang=en) ## Capabilities - [Content authenticity](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/capabilities/content-authenticity?hsLang=en) - [Organize and search](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/organize?hsLang=en) - [Integrate with other tools](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/integration-capabilities?hsLang=en) - [Automate workflows](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/automate?hsLang=en) - [Collaborate with others](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/collaborate?hsLang=en) - [Distribute content securely](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/distribute?hsLang=en) - [Manage licenses and rights](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/license-and-rights-management?hsLang=en) - [AI in Fotoware](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/ai-capabilities?hsLang=en) - Solutions Back ## Use Case - [Archiving and Categorization](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/archiving-and-categorization?hsLang=en) - [Omnichannel Content Delivery](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/omnichannel-content-delivery?hsLang=en) - [Communications & marketing](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/marketing-communications?hsLang=en) - [Digital Evidence Management](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/digital-evidence-management?hsLang=en) - [GDPR and Consent Management](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/gdpr-and-consent-management?hsLang=en) - [Product Content Management](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/product-content-management?hsLang=en) - [Master Data Management](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/master-data-management?hsLang=en) ## Industry - [Media and Publishing](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/media?hsLang=en) - [Museums and archives](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/glam?hsLang=en) - [Law Enforcement and Defense](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/law-enforcement-and-defense?hsLang=en) - [Manufacturing](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/manufacturing?hsLang=en) - [Entertainment](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/entertainment?hsLang=en) - [Retail and E-Commerce](https://www.fotoware.com/solutions/retail-and-ecommerce?hsLang=en) - Resources Back ## Learning - [Customer stories](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/tag/customer-stories) - [Webinars and events](https://www.fotoware.com/resources/webinars-events?hsLang=en) - [Guides and ebooks](https://www.fotoware.com/resources/guides?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://www.fotoware.com/blog) ## Help& support - [Help center](https://www.fotoware.com/resources/help-center?hsLang=en) - [Consultancy & support](https://www.fotoware.com/resources/consultancy?hsLang=en) - [Tutorials](https://www.fotoware.com/resources/tutorials?hsLang=en) - [API & custom integration](https://www.fotoware.com/platform/integrations/api-custom-integrations?hsLang=en) - [Pricing](https://www.fotoware.com/pricing?hsLang=en) - About Back - [About us](https://www.fotoware.com/about?hsLang=en) - [Why Fotoware](https://www.fotoware.com/about/why-fotoware?hsLang=en) - [Careers ↗](https://careers.fotoware.com/) - [Company news](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/tag/fotoware-news) - [Find a partner](https://www.fotoware.com/partners?hsLang=en) - [Contact us](https://www.fotoware.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) [Book meeting](https://www.fotoware.com/book-meeting?hsLang=en) ![](https://www.fotoware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/img-blog-hero-macros-upon-upload-amalie-dane-laptop.jpg?width=1399&quality=high) [Digital Asset Management](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/tag/digital-asset-management) # Macros: The fastest way to apply metadata to your digital assets ![](https://www.fotoware.com/hubfs/amalie-widerberg-500.jpg) [Amalie Widerberg](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/author/amalie-widerberg) Last updated on: 28. May 2026 If you’ve worked with media files, you're probably aware of the difficulties related to [metadata management](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/metadata-management?hsLang=en). Explained briefly, metadata is data about data, enabling people to perform searches using keywords, set up automated workflows for their files, ensure that every visual is correctly used, and much more. However, while some forms of metadata are already embedded in a file upon ingestion, others must be added manually, slowing down your processes and creating room for error. This is why we are proud to announce that custom metadata macros are now available upon ingestion in the Fotoware SaaS solution, reducing the need for manual input and improving your processes. ## What are macros? In a nutshell, macros are clever metadata operations that make changes to one or more fields when triggered. They can be used in several ways and for many purposes, enabling changes to an asset’s data. For example, you may include macros as parts of longer workflows, triggering metadata changes once a specific action is performed, or you can apply them to an interactive marker, changing the metadata when selected. Fotoware enables macros upon ingestion, meaning that you can predetermine the values of several metadata fields before an asset is uploaded, moved, or copied to an archive. [LEARN MORE: Version control - What it is and why it matters to your team](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/version-control-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters-to-your-team?hsLang=en) ## Three reasons to use macros ### Reason #1. Speeding up the upload process One of the main reasons we recommend using this feature is its ability to speed up the upload process. This is particularly helpful when a lot of metadata is needed for a project or when many similar upload jobs are performed in the same archive. For example, you may be taking pictures during an event and uploading them in batches throughout the day. Previously, you would have had to fill in a lot of the metadata manually, whereas now you can pre-determine the values of selected fields, drastically speeding up the upload process. While using the [mobile app](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/fotoware-dam-mobile-app?hsLang=en), macros will enable a smoother user experience, as less information is needed upon upload. ![Batch upload to Fotoware DAM](https://www.fotoware.com/hubfs/blog/product%20illustrations/blog-macros.jpg) You may even apply a dynamic tag for some fields, automating as much metadata upon ingestion as possible. This can be particularly useful when working with multiple photographers, where a macro could automatically add their information to the images upon upload. ### Reason #2. Improving the user experience with an advanced set-up Macros also enable you to customize your Fotoware by configuring your archives in greater detail and streamlining several workflows. For example, you can configure archives that don’t require users to add information upon upload, automatically adding pre-determined metadata. Or, you can automate several changes in an asset’s metadata when moving it from one archive to another. There are many different ways to use this feature. Common for them all is to enable your team to save time on metadata management. By eliminating multiple tasks related to the upload process and automating several metadata changes related to your workflows, you can ensure a seamless user experience. ### Reason #3. Ensuring that the metadata is correct and stays up-to-date People are the most common source of mistakes, and human error is not uncommon when manual processes are perceived as cumbersome or inefficient. Either by actively looking for shortcuts or simply overlooking a small detail, people are prone to make errors occasionally, so you should aim to automate mundane tasks when possible. By applying macros to your DAM, you enable several metadata changes to be executed automatically, ensuring that a larger portion of the data is correct and up-to-date. This is especially helpful for larger teams where inconsistencies in the metadata are common. [LEARN MORE: 6 challenges all marketing teams face when managing digital assets](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/6-challenges-all-marketing-teams-face-when-managing-marketing-assets?hsLang=en) ## Getting started with macros Macros are already available in the Fotoware solution and can be configured in the Site Configuration settings. If you’re already using Fotoware, you may access more information about macros - how they work and how to set them up - at [learn.fotoware.com](https://learn.fotoware.com/), or you can contact your designated Account Manager for help.  ## Want to learn more? Talk to one of our experts to discover how we can streamline your organization's content workflows. [Book a meeting](https://www.fotoware.com/book-meeting?hsLang=en) - ### [![](https://www.fotoware.com/hubfs/product/content-authenticity/valid-content-credentials-2.png) 23\. September 2026 Fotoware news InPublishing 15.9.2026: Fotoware launches end-to-end C2PA support in DAM](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/inpublishing-fotoware-launches-end-to-end-c2pa-support?hsLang=en) - ### [![Stéphane Dayras at the Fotoware and Canon booth at photojournalism festivalVisa pour l'image 2026.](https://www.fotoware.com/hubfs/blog/event/visa-pour-limage-canon-fotoware-booth.jpg) 16\. September 2026 Media & Entertainment Proof builds trust: Making Content Authenticity work in Media workflows](https://www.fotoware.com/blog/proof-builds-trust-content-authenticity-in-media-workflows?hsLang=en) - ### [![](https://www.fotoware.com/hubfs/blog/content-authenticity-featured-10.jpg) 10\. 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