GUI-tool for minor edits to raw metadata XML

[KristenWobbe]

I would like to request a tool that could be added to the Metadata Toolbar in ArcCatalog, to "Edit the raw metadata XML."  It would be useful to have the ability to make minor edits to the raw XML file such as having the ability to easily delete the geoprocessing steps once you are done capturing what information you can from them.  I'm aware the current workflow uses geoprocessing tools to remove the geoprocessing steps, it would be nice if a mini xml-editor tool could be added to the offerings.

Thank-you for your consideration of this idea.

[AletaVienneau]

Hi @KristenWobbe,

ArcGIS Desktop retired on March 1, 2026 so we won’t be considering this idea. We recommend that you migrate to ArcGIS Pro, our fully supported desktop GIS application.

In ArcGIS Pro it is possible to remove geoprocessing history from an item’s metadata and make tweaks to its metadata with Python scripts. Learn more about using the xml property and the deleteContent and save methods in the documentation for the ArcPy Metadata class: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/arcpy/metadata/metadata-class.htm.

Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas. We truly appreciate your contributions to continuously improving the software to help you do your work and look forward to what ideas you have for ArcGIS Pro.

Aleta