This page covers menu options and keyboard shortcuts for editing fields in the MDE, in particular instructions on how to select one or more fields for copying, cutting, pasting, and deletion.
Insert a field
F8
Insert a subfield delimiter
F9
Copy/Paste/Delete fields
(Under the MDE menu option Editing Actions)
Select a field
1. Place the cursor anywhere in the field (it doesn’t matter if it is positioned in the field tag or indicators or subfields).
2. Press Ctrl+C or Ctrl+X to copy/cut the entire field.
You don’t need to highlight the text of that field to select it. Actually you can’t highlight an entire field. A highlight breaks at the borders of field tag, indicator, and subfield boxes.
Paste a field
1. Place the cursor below where you’d like to insert the field
2. Press Ctrl+V to paste.
You don’t need to create a blank field first in order to paste a field.
All fields will be ordered numerically by the field tag upon the Save action, so don't worry too much if the pasted field isn't inserted exactly where you would like it to be.
Paste text copied from elsewhere
Beware of applying Ctrl+V if you are copying from an external webpage/source. You may have to use Mouse right-click-->Paste to properly paste the content. The reason is if you have copied/cut a field, that content is retained and it takes precedence over the text you copy from elsewhere when you operate Ctrl+V.
Select multiple fields
1. Press and hold Ctrl while clicking on the fields of interest one by one.
2. Press Ctrl+C or Ctrl+X to copy/cut the selected fields.
Paste multiple fields
Place your cursor anywhere in the record and press Ctrl+V. The fields will be pasted in order of the field tag automatically.
Delete one or more fields
After you have selected one or more fields, press Ctrl+F6 to delete.
Open form editor
Ctrl + F: Edit fixed fields and holdings 852
Authority control of a bibliographical heading
F3: Link to suggested authority records quickly from an authority-controlled field (1xx, 6xx, 7xx, 8xx etc.)
Expand from template
Ctrl + E: Insert constantly used fields that have been stored as templates
Look up field information
Alt + F: Links to the Library of Congress MARC Standards
More
Training video: Edit Fields in the Metadata Editor: Basic Operations