ExifTool

ExifTool is a cross-platform command-line application for reading, writing, and editing metadata in a wide variety of file formats. It is written in Perl by Phil Harvey and distributed as both a Perl library and a standalone program.

The tool supports many metadata formats, including EXIF, IPTC, and XMP, as well as GPS data and maker notes. It can process files across images, audio, video, PDFs, and other media, and can read metadata embedded in both standard and proprietary tag sets.

Key features include recursive directory processing, batch editing, and the ability to copy metadata between files or formats using TagsFromFile. It can create backups, overwrite original files with -overwrite_original, and limit scope with -ext. Output can be produced in text, JSON, or other formats (-json, -b, -p). It can also write sidecar XMP files and embed metadata back into files.

Usage typically involves the syntax exiftool [options] file..., with examples such as extracting a tag or updating a value, and using -r for recursion and -TagsFromFile for copying metadata between sources.

ExifTool is widely used by photographers, archivists, and IT professionals for metadata management. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and is distributed via the official website where updates and documentation are provided.