# Apply Track Database Metadata Changes

When you create a Track Database, a sidecar file with a .plist filename extension is automatically created. This file contains a mapping of the columns in the database to the appropriate Yate elements. With this mapping, Yate knows which fields are editable.

Because this information is available you can make changes to the database file external to Yate and apply the changes at a later time. This has always been possible from the UI when viewing the Track Database. The Apply Track Database Metadata Changes wizard allows you to run a special batch process which reads a database file and applies whatever changes have been made back to the referenced files. Note that this is not a synchronization! Any changed/editable fields in the database will written to the referenced files.

The wizard will step you through the process. You choose a database file (.csv, .tsv or .tab. There must be an associated sidecar (.plist) file.

There are two options:

The Auto save files option will automatically save changes to files. If you do not select this option, changes will be logged but not committed.

The Export changes to iTunes option will attempt to push the contents of modified tracks to iTunes. Note that an attempt to link the track to iTunes will only be made if the track has been modified. If the track is successfully linked, all metadata which iTunes accesses from within audio files will be refreshed. Further, those special metadata items which iTunes does not read from audio files, such as rating, playcount, etc., will be exported. The special metadata exported, depends on the settings in Preferences - iTunes - Metadata automatically exported to iTunes whenever linked files are saved.

The Verbose log option will cause changes to be logged. If Auto save files is not selected, this option is always treated as selected.

Note that only those fields considered to be editable by Yate will be modified. If you change other fields in the database file, the changes will be ignored. A good rule of thumb is that when creating the Export Set which describes the fields in the Track Database, all items in the field menu above the separator line cannot be edited. The only exception to this rule is the Rating field.

### Rules for externally changing a Yate Track Database:

- Do not delete or add columns.
- Do not rename column headers.
- Do not rearrange columns.

Additional topics

Batch Processing

Export Sets

Databases & CSV/TSV File

Create Track Database Action Statement