Edit Fields in the Metadata Editor: Basic Operations

Can you get all the quiz questions below right? If not, this 9-minute video will be worth your time. It is a rapid-fire introduction to the main menu options and keyboard shortcuts for editing MARC fields in Metadata Editor.

You may get the most out of this video if you -

Watch at your own pace, ready to pause whenever you need
Open a web browser to the Alma homepage (how to log in) and follow along the steps
Jot down questions that occur to you and bring them to real-time training sessions

Pre-training feedback

Share at least one question, comment, or observation via this form (Closed 07/08/2021. Please share your questions from the FAQ page). Your colleagues in the Alma implementation team will use your questions for two important purposes -

Enrich the content of Alma documentation and FAQ
Align the content of synchronous training with staff information needs

You can submit your feedback all at once, or separately each time you finish a video. The form will stay open until the start of synchronous training.

Quiz

1) Under which menu option can I find most of the choices I need for editing a MARC field?

Menu options in the Main Pane of the Metadata Editor

Answer

2) I will press Enter to add a blank new field. True or false?

Answer

False.

Use F8 to insert a blank field below where your cursor is.

3) The keystroke to enter a subfield delimiter is F9. True or false?

Answer

True.

Yes, it is the same key as in Voyager, although the delimiter sign is $$ in the MDE.

4) To copy a field, highlight it first before pressing Ctrl + C. True or false?

Answer

False.

You can copy the text string in the subfield box that way, but not the entire field that includes the field tag, indicators, and subfields.

To select a field for copying/cutting/deleting, simply place the cursor anywhere in the field.

5) To delete a field, select it and press the Delete key. True or false?

Answer

False.

The keystroke combination to delete one or more selected fields is Ctrl + F6.

6) 008 is a long alphanumeric string that looks like "110520s2012####paua#####b####001#0#eng##" How do I edit it?!

Answer

Place cursor anywhere in the field and press Ctrl + F, the form editor will open.

Likewise, the Leader field is edited in the form editor.

7) I can save one single field as a template. True or false?

Answer

True.

Each template can store a full-length record or as few fields as you need.

You can curate frequently used fields, save them in your private template tab, and add them into the record you are editing by Ctrl + E (Expand from Template).

8) What is the maximum number of records you can tile in MDE?

A) 2

B) 4

C) unlimited

Answer

A

You can tile two records side by side in the Main Pane of the editor by clicking the icon or pressing F6

You may also tile a record on the left with other types of records/resources such as:

a merge/normalization rule on the right, which is to be applied to the record
an authority record (you can view a name authority in your bib by clicking the binoculars icon)
the Browse Bibliographic Headings feature
associated inventory (holdings records)

Topics covered in the video

MDE menu option "Editing Actions"
Adding fields and subfields
Editing leader and 008
Select / copy / paste / delete one or more fields
Look up MARC formats
Link a bib heading to an authority record
Use templates to add constantly used fields
Tile two records in the editor

FAQ

How do I enter diacritics and symbols in the Metadata Editor?

This is not covered in the video. As of April 2021 we have the beta version of macro books available for testing. You are welcome to download them and test. Feedback is appreciated!

Documentation

Edit Fields