New Metadata Editor Functionality
User Interface Improvements Overview
Beginning with the May 2020 release, Ex Libris is undertaking a usability improvement initiative to facilitate an enhanced user experience across Alma navigation and in the Metadata Editor. This initiative is a result of cooperation with Alma working groups and a response to wider community feedback.
For more information, see Usability Improvements.
Alt Key Menu Keyboard Shortcuts in New Metadata Editor
Users can easily and quickly access the menus in the new Metadata Editor using a keyboard only, to increase cataloging efficiency and ease of use. To access the shortcuts, use Alt+number to navigate to the top-row options:
| Top-Row Option | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Templates | Alt+2 |
| Rules | Alt+3 |
| Save | Alt+4 |
| New | Alt+5 |
| Record actions | Alt+6 |
| Editing actions | Alt+7 |
| Add inventory | Alt+8 |
| View related data | Alt+9 |
| Search and browse | Alt+10 |
New Metadata Editor Functionality Rollout Plan
The following tables detail the rollout timeline for the New Metadata Editor per functionality.
Records Area
| New Metadata Editor Menu Option | Functionality | Release* |
|---|---|---|
| Save | Save Record (Split Icon's Upper action) | May 2020 |
| Save and Release | May 2020 | |
| Save Draft | May 2020 | |
| Save as Template | May 2020 | |
| Options (configuration for network members only) * Network members can contribute bib records to the network catalog, which is a central catalog for all members. |
May 2020 | |
| New | Sub-section: "Recently Used Templates" | Q1 2021 - not planned |
| list of relevant available formats according to the configuration | May 2020 | |
| Template Display Configuration | May 2020 | |
| Contribution to Community Zone | November 2020 | |
| Open Record | Barcode | Q1 2021 |
| ISBN | Q1 2021 | |
| ISSN | Q1 2021 | |
| MMS ID | Q1 2021 | |
| Other System Number | Q1 2021 | |
| Record Actions | Release Record | May 2020 |
| Reload Original Record | May 2020 | |
| Duplicate Record | May 2020 | |
| Derive new record (Bib only) | May 2020 | |
| Merge & Combine | July 2020 | |
| Validate (Local + network - bib + Authority + Holdings) | May 2020 | |
| Find Matches (Bib + Authority) | May 2020 | |
| Show Linkage Information (Bib only Toggle action) | August 2020 | |
| Add Note | August 2020 | |
| Assign Record to Another Cataloger (Valid for bib + Authority + Holdings) | August 2020 | |
| Release Assignment | August 2020 | |
| Suppress from Discovery (Toggle action - for Bib and Holdings) |
August 2020 | |
| Sub-section: "Set Management Tags" - Export to WorldCat - Force Export to WorldCat - Export to Librairies Australia - Force Export to Libraries Australia |
November 2020 | |
| Contribute Record to Central Catalog (For network members only) | September 2020 | |
| Copy to Catalog (For network members - for network bib) | August 2020 | |
| Share with Network (For network members only) | August 2020 | |
| Validate in Network (For local + network - For LOCAL: bib + Authority + Holdings) | August 2020 | |
| Update from Bibliographic (For Holdings record only) | August 2020 | |
| Relink to a Different Record (For Holdings record only) | August 2020 | |
| Generate Accession Number (For Holdings record only) | August 2020 | |
| Next Predicted Item's Information (For Holdings record only) | August 2020 | |
| Open Predicted Items (For Holdings record only) |
August 2020 | |
| Change Authority Placement (For Authority record only) | August 2020 | |
| See Also (For Authority record only) | August 2020 | |
| Delete Record | August 2020 | |
| Editing Actions | Add Field | May 2020 |
| Add Subfield | May 2020 | |
| Add Local Field | May 2020 | |
| Remove Field | May 2020 | |
| Open Form Editor | August 2020 | |
| Close Form Editor | August 2020 | |
| Field Information | May 2020 | |
| Cut | May 2020 | |
| Undo Remove, Cut, Paste Field | August 2023 | |
| Copy | May 2020 | |
| Paste | May 2020 | |
| Enhance the Record | May 2020 | |
| Expand from Template | May 2020 | |
| Add Heading Section | May 2020 | |
| Generate Author Number | May 2020 | |
| Sub-section: Add Alternate Graphic Representation | September 2020 | |
| Sub-section: Change Script | September 2020 | |
| Sub-section: Link Fields | September 2020 | |
| Unlink Fields | May 2020 | |
| Flip Fields | September 2020 | |
| Sub-section: Insert Directional Char | July 2020 | |
| Show Directional Char | July 2020 | |
| Add Inventory | Add Item | July 2020 |
| Add Portfolio | July 2020 | |
| Add Representative | July 2020 | |
| View Related Data | View Bibliographic Record | September 2020 |
| View Collections | July 2020 | |
| View in Search | July 2020 | |
| View Inventory | May 2020 | |
| View linked Data | November 2020 | |
| View Notes | May 2020 | |
| View Orders | September 2020 | |
| View Related Bibliographic Records | May 2020 | |
| View Versions | May 2020 | |
| Order | Order | September 2020 |
| Search & Browse | Browse Shelf Listing | May 2020 |
| Browse Bib Headings | May 2020 | |
| Search Resources | May 2020 | |
| Editing Pane | Field Information (action in Field level menu) | May 2020 |
| […] (Field level menu) | May 2020 | |
| Colored field number/indicators/sub-fields | May 2020 | |
| Cataloger Level in Authorities | February 2021 | |
| Records Navigation Pane | Filter list (scope filter) | May 2020 |
| Search in list | May 2020 | |
| Refresh list | May 2020 | |
| Release All | May 2020 | |
| Editor Split Mode | May 2020 | |
| Pin Record List | May 2020 | |
| Expand >> /Collapse << | May 2020 | |
| X (close pane in pane's header) | May 2020 | |
| (i) (pane's header information icon) | May 2020 | |
| (save diskette icon) (auto save information) | May 2020 | |
| Record's warning/error editing validation messages | May 2020 | |
| View Record's validation messages in split mode | August 2020 | |
| Pushed (badge) | May 2020 | |
| Assigned (badge) | May 2020 | |
| View Only (badge) | December 2020 | |
| Notes (icon badge) | May 2020 | |
| Suppressed (icon badge) | May 2020 | |
| Informative record tooltip in records list | May 2020 | |
| Other | Catalog Set | September 2020 |
*The timeline of the rollout plan is subject to change.
Templates Area
| New Metadata Editor Menu Option | Functionality | Release* |
|---|---|---|
| Save menu | Save Record | January 2021 |
| New menu | New Record From Template | January 2021 |
| List of relevant available formats according to the configuration | January 2021 | |
| Template Display Configuration | May 2020 | |
| Placement Options | January 2021 | |
| Template Actions menu | Edit | January 2021 |
| Duplicate | January 2021 | |
| Delete | January 2021 | |
| Share Template | January 2021 | |
| Contribute to CZ | January 2021 | |
| Make Private | January 2021 | |
| Save as Default | January 2021 | |
| Template Properties | January 2021 | |
| Editing Actions menu | Add Field | January 2021 |
| Add Subfield | January 2021 | |
| Remove Field | January 2021 | |
| Open Form Editor | January 2021 | |
| Field Information | January 2021 | |
| Cut | January 2021 | |
| Undo Remove, Cut, Paste Field | August 2023 | |
| Copy | January 2021 | |
| Paste | January 2021 | |
| Search and Browse menu | Browse Shelf Listing | May 2020 |
| Browse Bib Headings | May 2020 | |
| Search External Resources | May 2020 | |
| Editing pane | Field Information (action in Field level menu) | January 2021 |
| […] (Field level menu) | January 2021 | |
| Colored field number/indicators/sub-fields | January 2021 | |
| Navigation pane | Filter list (scope filter) | January 2021 |
| Search in list | January 2021 | |
| Refresh list | January 2021 | |
| Editor Split Mode | January 2021 | |
| Pin Template List | January 2021 | |
| Expand >> /Collapse << | January 2021 | |
| X (close pane in pane's header) | January 2021 | |
| (i) (pane's header information icon) | January 2021 | |
| (save diskette icon) (auto save information) | January 2021 | |
| Template's warning/error editing validation messages | January 2021 | |
| View Record's validation messages in split mode | January 2021 | |
| View Only (badge) | January 2021 | |
| Right Click menu (on a template in the templates list) | January 2021 | |
| Informative Template tooltip in Templates list | January 2021 | |
| Other | Right-collapsed Template | January 2021 |
| Left-collapsed Template | January 2021 | |
| Improved icons for Private / Shared / CZ | January 2021 |
Rules Area
| New Metadata Editor Menu Option | Functionality | Release* |
|---|---|---|
| Save menu | Save Rule | March 2021 |
| Save and Close | Upcoming | |
| New menu | List of available rule types according to the configuration | March 2021 |
| Rule Actions | Edit | March 2021 |
| Duplicate | March 2021 | |
| Delete | March 2021 | |
| Share Rule | Upcoming | |
| Contribute to CZ | March 2021 | |
| Make Private | Upcoming | |
| Add Note | Coming Soon | |
| Rule Properties | Upcoming | |
| Editing Actions | Cut | March 2021 |
| Undo Remove, Cut, Paste Field | August 2023 | |
| Copy | March 2021 | |
| Paste | March 2021 | |
| Add Note Inline | Upcoming | |
| View Related Data | View Notes | Upcoming |
| View Versions | Upcoming | |
| Search and Browse | Browse Shelf Listing | March 2021 |
| Browse Bib Headings | March 2021 | |
| Search External Resources | March 2021 |
| Editing pane | Field Information (action in Field level menu) | March 2021 |
| […] (Field level menu) | March 2021 | |
| Colored field number/indicators/sub-fields | March 2021 | |
| Navigation pane | Filter list (scope filter) | March 2021 |
| Search in list | March 2021 | |
| Refresh list | March 2021 | |
| Editor Split Mode | March 2021 | |
| Pin Rule List | March 2021 | |
| Expand >> /Collapse << | March 2021 | |
| X (close pane in pane's header) | March 2021 | |
| (i) (pane's header information icon) | March 2021 | |
| (save diskette icon) (auto save information) | Upcoming | |
| Warning/error editing validation messages | March 2021 | |
| View validation messages in split mode | March 2021 | |
| View Only (badge) | March 2021 | |
| Notes (badge) | Coming Soon | |
| Right-click menu (on a rule in the rule list) | March 2021 | |
| Informative tooltip in rule list | March 2021 | |
| Other | Right-collapsed rule | March 2021 |
| Left-collapsed rule | March 2021 | |
| Improved icons for Private / Shared / CZ | March 2021 |
More Resources
- The New MD Editor enables the use of CloudApps designed for the main entities such as BIB, AUTH, and HOL. This creates a mechanism that enables the New MD Editor to send relevant information to the CloudApps. For more information, see Cloud Apps Documentation.
- See Navigating the New Metadata Editor Page for more information on functionality.
- See presentations for step by step training.
Known Issues
The following table contains selected known issues.
|
Issue
|
Description
|
|---|---|
|
Both LDR fields are focused
|
When opening a record, and then clicking Split and opening another record, the LDR fields of both records are focused.
|
|
Wrong time in the tooltip of the auto-save icon
|
After manual save, the tooltip of the auto-save icon is not updated to the time displayed in "Successfully Saved" message.
|
|
Info message about linking the bib heading to authority records does not appear |
When you create a bib heading where field 650 (first indicator 1 and second indicator 0) is $$a, and then click save, the message "Alma has attempted to link the bib headings to authority records..." does not appear, or appears wrongly. |
|
A warning appears across both sides of the split screen |
On merge preview, a warning appears on both sides of the split screen. |
|
When browsing bib headings, the arrow goes over the results |
When you browse bib headings and select View for a result, the arrow goes over the left side of the split screen. |
|
White space above the validation message hides part of the record content |
When viewing two bib records with validation messages in split mode, if pinning the validation messages, the white space above the validation message hides part of the record content. |
|
Missing information when viewing representation of inventory
|
When viewing representation of inventory, some information is missing and some doesn't look as expected.
|
| "Browse bib headings" menu action for NZ/CZ records |
The "Browse bib headings" menu action disabled for NZ/CZ records. |
| 'Old Editor' button display | In some institutions, when entering the new MD Editor from the Alma menu, sometimes the 'Old Editor' button does not appear in an accessible place. To switch to the classic MD Editor 'zoom in' using the browser menu until the button will appear at the new MD Editor's top right corner. This issue will be fixed for the May release. |
Resolved Issues
The following table contains the resolved issues related to the new Metadata Editor.
|
Issue
|
Description
|
Fix Deployed in
|
|---|---|---|
| After closing the right editing pane in split mode, the focus remains on the registry list of the record that was closed | New Metadata Editor: After closing the right editing pane in split mode, the focus remains on the registry list of the record that was closed instead of moving to the registry list of the record that has remained open, in the navigation pane. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Rules tab is empty when navigating between tabs. | New Metadata Editor: Rules tab is empty when navigating between tabs. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| No copy to catalog was available for view only CZ records. | New Metadata Editor: No copy to catalog was available for view only CZ records. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| After a "Copy to Catalog" from a CZ record, the "Search Resources" option was greyed out. | New Metadata Editor: After a "Copy to Catalog" from a CZ record, the "Search Resources" option is still greyed out. This was fixed | June 2021 |
| When opening a record and clicking on the 'i' icon, modification appears to be by the current user | New Metadata Editor: When opening a record and clicking on the 'i' icon, modification appears to be by the current user at the time of opening the record. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| When clicking on action that collapsed the left presenter, the right presenter extends to the right side. | New Metadata Editor: When the records list unpinned, and there are two presenters in split mode, when clicking on action that collapsed the left presenter, the right presenter extends to the right side. The was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Record opened in the MDE with missing information in the record's header | New Metadata Editor: In some cases, when editing NZ record, the record opened in the MDE with missing information in the record's header and does not appear in the records list. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| When opening two records, and clicking on one of the records "Field Information", the second record moves to the left, but the title of the record belongs to the second record. | New Metadata Editor: When opening two records, and clicking on one of the records "Field Information", the second record moves to the left, but the title of the record belongs to the second record. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| After enabled network authority templates in the "Template display configuration" screen, the authority templates are not available in the "New" menu | New Metadata Editor: After enabled network authority templates (that this network authority vocabulary managed only local) in the "Template display configuration" screen, the authority templates not available in the "New" menu. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| In German environment, cataloger level on GND authorities was not displayed | New Metadata Editor: In German environment, cataloger level on GND authorities was not displayed at all. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| View Related Data / Add Inventory / Order menus were unavailable when the record is opened in View mode | New Metadata Editor: View Related Data / Add Inventory / Order menus were unavailable when the record is opened in View mode, when edited by another cataloger. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Shared templates can be modified by any cataloger | New Metadata Editor: Shared templates can be modified by any cataloger, not only by "Cataloger Extended". This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| When a record is created from a template that contains a field 990 $$9 local, the local indication is not displayed | New Metadata Editor: When a record is created from a template that contains a field 990 $$9 local, the local indication is not displayed. The issue has been fixed. | June 2021 |
| Adding a record to the editing list for linked Authority records did not add the record to navigation list | New Metadata Editor: Adding a record to the editing list for linked Authority records did not cause the record to be added to the navigation list. The issue was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Pushed records not showing Local Extensions fields when pushed from NZ search | New Metadata Editor: Pushed records not showing Local Extensions fields when pushed from NZ search. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Profiles for Contribute Record to Central Catalog were missing when opening the record | New Metadata Editor: Profiles for Contribute Record to Central Catalog were missing when opening the record. This was fixed | June 2021 |
| Left pane did not switch from Templates to Records or vice versa | New Metadata Editor: Occasionally the left pane did not switch from Templates to Records or from Records to Templates. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| The CP Cataloging_level_user_preferences did not record the last selected Cataloger Level between network and local records | New Metadata Editor: The customer parameter Cataloging_level_user_preferences was not effective to record the last selected Cataloger Level between network and local records. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| slowness in the new MDE the first time it was opened | New Metadata Editor: Many users experienced slowness in the new MDE the first time it was opened. There was no clear indication of when the loading was complete, so users got used to pressing buttons over and over until "it started working". To give a clear sense of the loading time, we added a loading blocker until the MDE completes loading the first time. | June 2021 |
| Accessibility (level AA): sub tab list | New Metadata Editor: Accessibility (level AA): sub-tab list is now compliant with the ADA (American with Disabilities Act). | June 2021 |
| Community templates that were enabled via the Templates display configuration did not appear in the "New" menu after logout | New Metadata Editor: Community templates that were enabled via the Templates display configuration did not appear in the "New" menu after logout. This has been fixed. | June 2021 |
| Expand from Template: Long templates' names are cut off | New Metadata Editor: Expand from Template: Long templates' names are cut off. This was fixed by expanding the popup. | June 2021 |
| Template with ":" were wrongly parsed | New Metadata Editor: Template with ":" in the text were wrongly parsed, and failed record creation from the template. The issue was fixed | June 2021 |
| After a record is copied to Catalog, the Merge and Combine menu is still grayed out | New Metadata Editor: After a record is copied to Catalog in the right editor, the Merge and Combine menu is still grayed out. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Order button doesn't work for records containing ":" character | New Metadata Editor: Order button doesn't work for a specific record (contains ":" character). The issue has been fixed. | June 2021 |
| CZ and NZ records do not show the Suppressed icon | New Metadata Editor: CZ and NZ records do not show the Suppressed icon. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Search external resources does not work when there is an authority record on display | New Metadata Editor: Search external resources does not work when there is an authority record on display. This was fixed. Search external resources menu action will be enabled for authority record on display only if SBN search profile exists. | June 2021 |
| The F3 function is not highlighting when hovering on lines | New Metadata Editor: The F3 function is not highlighting when hovering on lines. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| User cannot add a local extension or inventory to NZ record with higher cataloging level | New Metadata Editor: User cannot add a local extension or inventory to NZ record with higher cataloging level. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| When adding portfolio to a record and returning to the new MDE, the fields shrink | New Metadata Editor: When adding portfolio to a record and returning to the new MDE, all the fields shrink unexpectedly. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Push Selected Records to MDE does not consider locking time | New Metadata Editor: Push Selected Records to MDE does not consider locking time. If locking time passed, the record should be snatched. This was fixed. | June 2021 |
| Cannot scroll down the Matching records list in new MD Editor when the scaling of the display is 125% | New Metadata Editor: Users could not scroll down the matching records list in new Metadata Editor when the scaling of the display was 125%. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Holding field 852 is "reloaded" for every change in the library field | New Metadata Editor: when entering or changing the location information in the holding tab 852 $$b, the field seemed to reload on every change. This was fixed. |
May 2021 |
| 'Add Holdings' Button not Working if no Holdings Exist for lower Cataloger Level User | New Metadata Editor: The 'Add Holdings' button was not working for a user with a lower cataloger level than the record's in a specific scenario. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Insert Directional Characters (RTL) | New Metadata Editor: Insert Directional Characters (RTL) - the text moved left, but the cursor stayed right. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Add shortcut for "[Add] Alternate Graphic Representation" | New Metadata Editor: The shortcut for "Add Alternate Graphic Representation" (Alt F1) and all its sub-menus (Alt F2, Alt F3, Alt F5. Alt F6) did not work. Also, the label description of the menu (Alt F1) was missing. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Privacy concern with Modified By including identifiable staff user primary identifier for other sites in CZ records | New Metadata Editor: "Modified By" info for Community Zone records displayed user username and the institution code, instead of displaying only the institution code. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| 'Suppress from Discovery' isn't available before saving bib record | New Metadata Editor: 'Suppress from Discovery' option was not available before the first saving of a record. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| "Error while validating data with profile" after adding Portfolio | New Metadata Editor: "Error while validating data with profile" appeared after adding a portfolio to an Network Zone/Community Zone-linked record. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Issue when working in old and new MD Editor with Cataloger Privileges Lower than the Bibliographic Record | New Metadata Editor: The new local record created from the "Copy to Catalog" action retained Cataloger Level from the network record. This was fixed. The local record now gets the minimum Cataloger Level value "00", which allows the staff catalogers to work on the record. | May 2021 |
| Indicative display for available or not available menu options is not consistent | New Metadata Editor: Duplicate record menu option was erroneously available for Community Zone records. This was fixed. Now the menu does not include the Duplicate record option. | May 2021 |
| View Related Data in menu is unavailable when user's cataloger level is lower than record's cataloging level | New Metadata Editor: In a read-only record, menu items "Add Representation", "View Versions", "View Notes", "Order" were unavailable as a result of higher cataloging level. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Search Resources > SBN > “Header information not defined for this presenter” appears in the results pane. | New Metadata Editor: When searching external resources, Search Resources > SBN > “Header information not defined for this presenter” appeared in the results pane. This was fixed. |
May 2021 |
| Add Local Extension option missing from new MD Editor in single institution | New Metadata Editor: the "Add Local Extension" option was missing in single institution for Community Zone records. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Record Title Center Aligned to Both Margins | New Metadata Editor: Records list > information popup upon hover on a record: the title was center-aligned to both margins. This was fixed. |
May 2021 |
| Add copy no. to holdings inventory list | New Metadata Editor: View Inventory > Holdings list, the "Copy Number" (852 $t) was added to the display after the call number. The "Copy Number" will help to distinguish between multiple holdings records in the same location and call number. | May 2021 |
| Fields deleted when Saving Holding record | New Metadata Editor: Editing an holding record with 853 field and using the MARC21 Expand Holding By 863/4/5 Task in some cases caused the Save Record action to fail. This was fixed. | |
| GND records are created on the correct level if using "New Record From Template" | New Metadata Editor: when creating GND record from the right-click action "New Record From Template", the record was not created on the correct level (Community Zone). This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| "Old MDE" button disappears 20% of the times | New Metadata Editor: In some institutions, when entering the new Metadata Editor from the Alma menu, sometimes the 'Old Editor' button did not appear in an accessible place. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| Heb interface: Redundant HTML tags in "View Only" header | New Metadata Editor: Redundant HTML tags appeared in "View Only" header in the Hebrew interface. This was fixed. | May 2021 |
| 'Create authority' should not copy subfield $e | New Metadata Editor: F3 > Create Authority Record: For MARC21 bibliographic fields 100, 110, 600, 610, 700, 710, subfield $e was copied into the newly created authority record. This was fixed. | May 2021 |