Introducing EXIF Metadata Extraction and Workflow Automation using ArcGIS for SharePoint
In today’s digital age, managing image files effectively is crucial for businesses and organizations that work with a large volume of visual content. One of the key pieces of information embedded in every image file is Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF) metadata, which includes details such as GPS coordinates, the date and time the photo was taken, camera model and make, camera settings and other ancillary GPS tags. Understanding and utilizing this data can greatly enhance the way businesses handle and organize image files
The new feature in ArcGIS for SharePoint provides users with a “SharePoint-side” solution, which allows users to extract the EXIF metadata from images already uploaded to a SharePoint document library. The app also offers an automated solution which leverages Power Automate. Here’s how both the solutions work:
Client-side solution
Step 1- Upload some image files containing EXIF metadata into a SharePoint document library
Step 2 - Click on the “Extract EXIF data” button in the top menu of the document library to open the Extract EXIF data pane.
Step 4 -
You can choose to extract the EXIF metadata from the entire document library, optionally, you can select a few items and only extract the EXIF metadata for the selected image files
Step 5:
Under Data to extract, you can select additional EXIF tags to extract from the image files, to ensure you get coordinate data to use for mapping, select GPSLatitude and GPSLongitude.
Step 6:
Click the “Run” button
The client-side solution will extract the selected tags from the image files and store the values directly in the document library
Automating the EXIF metadata extraction workflow
To take this feature a step further, we’ve introduced capabilities that allow you to automate the workflow to extract the EXIF metadata. This means you can set up processes where, as soon as an image is uploaded to a SharePoint document library, the EXIF metadata is automatically extracted and stored in the document library. Here’s how it works:
Pre-requisites:
Before the SharePoint user can automate the EXIF metadata extraction workflow, please ensure that the Microsoft administrator has approved the two API services which will be under “Pending requests” in the API access section of the SharePoint admin center. If the Microsoft administrator has not approved the API services, the automation feature will be disabled as shown in the image below:
Once the Microsoft administrator has approved the API services in the SharePoint admin center, the SharePoint user will then be able to configure the Power Automate flow.
SharePoint admin center (API Access):
The above image shows the “API access” section of the SharePoint admin center. Once both the APIs are approved, they will appear under “Approved requests”. The SharePoint user can now set up the workflow automation.
Secondly, please ensure that the SharePoint user has access to a valid Power Automate environment, a Premium Power Automate license and valid ArcGIS connection and a SharePoint connection created in the Power Automate environment.
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Tip: When creating a flow in Power Automate, it’s important to note that the flow requires active connections to function properly within the flow. Make sure you’ve set up the connections before you can start using this new feature. Without these connections, the flow won’t be able to access or interact with the data from these platforms.
To set up connections:
- In Power Automate, go to “Data” and select “Connections”
- Add connections for both ArcGIS and SharePoint
Learn more about setting up connections in Power Automate.
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Automate Extraction:
Step 1: Create a new SharePoint document library
Step 2: Click on the “Extract EXIF data” button in the top menu of the document library
Step 3: Select all the necessary tags to extract
Step 4: Turn on the Automatically extract from new items toggle button under “Power Automate flow”
Step 5: Select the appropriate Power Automate Environment, ArcGIS Connection, SharePoint Connection
Step 6: Click on the “Run” button
The status dialog box will indicate when the flow has been created. Once the flow is created, you can start uploading images to this document library.
