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    New Metadata Editor Functionality

    Translatable

    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:

    Menu Keyboard Shortcuts
    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
    Reorder Fields  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.
    • See video for a short training session
    • See webinar to understand more 

    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.
    In order to use the "Browse bib headings" please close the record or use the "Browse bib headings" link from the Alma menu.

    '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