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What is Metadata?

2 minutes Last update 4 months ago

    This second lesson introduces you to metadata – what it is, how it works, and how it benefits you.

    The most important thing to know is that M-Files is powered by metadata.  

    What is metadata?

    To put it simply, metadata is descriptive information about something. For instance, libraries use metadata to categorize and organize books.

    Metadata is already part of our digital lives. For instance, popular search engines use website metadata to help you find the information you’re looking for.

    Or when browsing for music in your favorite streaming application, you don’t go through endless folders to find what you’re looking for. It’s all categorized and managed by metadata.


    Metadata is everywhere, because it’s the best way to categorize, store, and retrieve information.

    How does M-Files use metadata?

    M-Files brings the magic of metadata to your office. All documents in M-Files are organized by metadata that describe what it is, what it relates to, and how it is to be managed.

    What are the benefits of metadata?

    There are many benefits to using metadata. However, the biggest benefit is that it simply makes information easier to find.

    In M-Files, whenever you need to find a document or other file, all you must know is something about what it is, and you’ll find it. This is not like legacy systems, in which to find a document, you must know where it is.

    With M-Files you never have to wonder where something is. It’s all in M-Files, easily retrievable with just a few clicks.

    What's next?

    Intro to the M-Files Interface

    A tutorial lesson guiding you through the M-Files Desktop interface

    Content