How Metadata Is Migrated
Understand how file metadata is handled during migration and how to preserve original author and timestamp information.
Overview
During file and site migrations, metadata transfers automatically by default. However, without proper configuration, the original file author, editor, and timestamps may be replaced with migration account values. Understanding how to preserve this metadata is crucial for maintaining accurate file history.
Metadata Fields
Default Behavior
Without a properly configured mapping table, metadata is handled with standardized values:
What Happens Without Mapping
Without Mapping Table
With Mapping Table
Preserving Original Metadata
To retain pre-migration metadata values, you must implement a mapping table that correlates source and target user accounts.
What the Mapping Table Preserves
Original file creator's email
Email of last modifier
Original creation timestamp
Original last-modified timestamp
Mapping Table Requirements
Critical Limitation
If an entry is missing from the mapping table, the individual metadata will not be migrated. Therefore, the mapping table must be complete from the beginning of the migration.
Mapping Table Structure
| Source Email | Target Email |
|---|---|
| john@source.com | john@target.com |
| jane@source.com | jane@target.com |
| bob@source.com | bob@target.com |
Include All Users
The mapping table should include all users whose metadata you want to maintain, even if you're not assigning licenses to them. Any user who has created or modified files must be in the mapping table.
Best Practices
Complete Mapping Table First
Prepare and validate your mapping table before initiating any migration, including trial phases. Metadata preservation works only when users are properly mapped.
Include External Users
If external users have created or modified files, include them in the mapping table as well to preserve their metadata attribution.
Validate Before Migration
Run a test migration with a small batch of files to verify metadata is being preserved correctly before migrating your full dataset.
Document Exceptions
Keep a record of any users not included in the mapping table. Their files will have metadata set to migration account values.