AEM Assets - Batch Edit across folders using custom schema

[JimPresley]

 I filter for specific files and I wish to batch edit one field.  If the selected assets are located in different folders, the schema displayed is the OOTB basic schema.  All files selected use the same custom schema.  Is they a solution to be able to batch edit across folders maintaining the custom schema we use for all assets?

Thank you.

Jim P

[KimonP]

Would the alternatives mentioned here work for you? https://experienceleaguecommunities.adobe.com/t5/adobe-experience-manager-assets/how-to-bulk-update-... 

[JimPresley]

KimonP. Thank you.  Unfortunately that won't do what I'm looking to do.  I'd like to do a search for assets that contain specific metadata, then bulk-update the result set of assets.  That result set is spread across multiple (hundreds) of folders.  I can't do an export csv function against assets in multiple folders (Adobe, are you listening?) as that function is only available against a single folder and subfolders.  What I do now, is select the top most folder, export csv (that contains all files in and under that top folder, the pull it all into a spreadsheet to parse for the files I need to modify, then upload as a metadata update.    The flexibility of doing that against a search reselt would be extremely useful.

[KimonP · Accepted solution]

Understood - and indeed, to the best of my knowledge there is no way to do so via OOTB UI. Here are some alternatives I can think about (hint: development required).

If it is a "one-time" activitiy, my choices would both be related to scripting:

1. use the Groovy Console plugin (powerful, applicable for OnPrem or AMS only). You can query for the assets you need to update and perform the updates.

2. Perform the "bulk" export using the OOTB UI feature, then use scripting of your choice (e.g. python, bash etc.) to filter out the assets and perform the adjustments. (I do not think the csv would open in any editor app anyhow. )

If this is a more frequent occurence:

Consider creating a custom workflow which can run with a folderr as payload. A participant step selects the property name and value to filter out the assets, as well as providing the new property value. The next workflow step should take care of updating the relevant assets.

I know both ideas are not OOTB and I agree your use case would be interesting as an AEM feature. You can submit such an idea here https://experienceleaguecommunities.adobe.com/t5/adobe-experience-manager-ideas/idb-p/adobe-experien... 

[JimPresley]

Thank you KimonP!

Jim P