Tag Value States

Yate maintains three versions of the metadata in a file. The initial state represents what was in the file when first loaded or after being saved. The current state represents the current possibly unsaved metadata. The editing state represents the metadata at a particular point in time. Note that the current state is the only set of values retained when a file is closed.

The Current State

The current state represents the current possibly unsaved metadata. This is the metadata that you are working with.

The Initial State

The initial state represents what was in the file when first loaded or after being saved or refreshed.

Note that the Original properties are not updated when saving or refreshing a file. ie. the following properties are only established when a file is loaded:

• Original File Name (with extension)
• Original File Name (without extension)
• Original Folder Name
• Original Parent Folder Name
• Original Path to File
• Original Path to File (without extension)
• Original Path to Folder
• Original Path to Parent Folder

This effectively means that you can always undo a rename by using the above properties or a rename template's Initial Filename and Initial Folder tokens.

You can revert all tag values to their initial state by the File>Revert menu item. This can also be done by the Revert action statement.

When appropriate you can also revert a single item to its initial state by clicking on a field's function button and selecting the Revert to Initial State Value menu item. Note that in an action you have access to the initial state value via escape sequences.

The Editing State

The editing state represents the metadata at a particular point in time. It represents a snapshot of the current values. The editing state is set under the following conditions:

• A file is first loaded.
• Whenever a file is selected in the main window and the Settings - Editing State - Update the Editing state when selecting files setting is enabled.
• Selecting the Edit>Update Editing State menu item.
• An Update Editing State action statement is executed.
• The Settings - Editing State - Update the Editing state on selected files before running an action option is enabled, and an action is run. Note this does not apply to actions started with the Batch Processor.
• The Settings - Editing State - Copy the Initial State to the Editing State is appropriately set and a file is about to be saved.

You can revert to the editing state values (copy the editing state values to the current values) as follows:

• You select the Edit menu's Revert to Editing State item.
• You execute an Revert to Editing State action statement.

When appropriate you can also revert a single item to its editing state value by clicking on a field's function button and selecting the Revert to Editing State Value menu item.

The editing state persists after a file has been saved. This means that you can restore values even after saving a file if you change your mind. If you load a file; make changes without ever modifying the editing state (manually or automatically); and save the file ... you can revert to the editing state values to restore the file to its initially loaded values prior to saving. Note that the change indicators will be red as the current values will be different to the initial values (the values after the save). If you then save the file again it will be restored.

Other Ways to Manipulate the Editing State

You can copy the initial state to the editing state by the Edit>Copy Initial State to Editing State menu item. This can also be done by the Copy Initial State to Editing State action statement.

You can exchange the values in the current and initial states by the Edit>Exchange Current and Editing States menu item. This can also be done by the Exchange Current and Editing States action statement.