Overview

This topic explains how you can change the different date stamps on the files in your archives.

Why redate files?

When working with files, it is often useful to sort them by a date field, such as the modified date. However, the date on one or more files may not always be accurate or as expected—for example, when files come from different sources. In these cases, you can change (redate) the file dates to ensure they sort in the correct order.

How to do it?

Redating files is possible by selecting one or more files, then opening the Image menu and choosing Redate...

In the dialog that opens, two dropdown lists let you choose the source and destination dates: the date you want to copy from and the IPTC field you want to copy it into. The dates that can be used are File modified date, File created date, Camera date (from the EXIF field), and IPTC created date. In addition to these source dates, you are given the option to insert the current date (the Today’s date option) or any other date (the Specify date option) into the chosen date field. You can also directly type in any date freely in the Copy date from and then choose where that date should be stamped in the Copy date to field below. (The date format used is specified in the Windows/Mac OS system control panel.)

 Example: A situation where you will have good use for the Redate option is when your archive contains files acquired from a digital camera whose file modification dates are jumbled. You can then use the Redate function to copy the Camera date to the File modified date. To do this, select the files you wish to redate, then right-click one of them. Select Redate from the context menu. In the Copy date from field, choose Camera date, then choose File modified date in the Copy date to field. Finally, select OK. The date found in the Camera date field will then be inserted into the File modified date field for each file.