SharePoint Document Issues

Do SharePoint Image Tags Download with Photos?

Phi Hung Vo Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know if tags stored in SharePoint columns are retained as embedded file metadata when images are downloaded and migrated to a new platform.

Do SharePoint Image Tags Download with Photos?

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating photos from SharePoint to another asset management platform like PhotoShelter.
Observed behavior: Need to determine if SharePoint column tags remain attached to the downloaded image files or if retagging will be necessary.

Before you start

Before attempting a bulk migration of your image library, download a single tagged image to your local computer to test if the metadata has been preserved.

Solution 1Recommended

Test and Verify Metadata Retention Before Migration

Since metadata retention depends heavily on the SharePoint column type, manually verifying a test download is the safest way to prevent data loss.

SharePoint handles metadata in different ways. Values stored in Managed Metadata columns are sometimes retained during a download, while data stored in standard Choice or Text columns are kept only in the SharePoint database, meaning they will not be embedded in the downloaded image files.

Identify your column type

Check your SharePoint library settings to see if your tags are stored in a 'Managed Metadata' column or a standard column.

Download a test image

Select one heavily tagged image in your SharePoint library and click the 'Download' button on the top ribbon.

Check local file properties

Locate the downloaded image on your computer, right-click it, select 'Properties' (Windows) or 'Get Info' (Mac), and view the 'Details' tab to see if your tags are listed.

Test upload to destination

Upload the test image into PhotoShelter or your target platform to verify if the system automatically reads and applies the embedded tags.

Test and Verify Metadata Retention Before Migration

Retagging May Be Required: If the tags do not appear in the local file properties, they were not embedded. You will need to either use a specialized migration tool to map SharePoint columns to IPTC data or manually retag the images in your new platform.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my SharePoint tags disappear after downloading the image?

Standard SharePoint columns store data in the SharePoint database rather than inside the image file's EXIF/IPTC metadata. When you download the file, it only downloads the original image, leaving the database tags behind.

Does PhotoShelter automatically read SharePoint tags?

PhotoShelter reads standard IPTC metadata embedded directly into the image file. If SharePoint did not embed its column data into the file during the download process, PhotoShelter will not be able to see or import the tags.

How can I ensure my tags are kept when moving photos out of SharePoint?

You can use third-party SharePoint migration tools designed specifically to map and embed SharePoint column data into the EXIF/IPTC tags of files during export. Alternatively, ensure tags are applied to the file's properties before they are originally uploaded to SharePoint.

Document & File Issues