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How to Annotate Image Files in Windows

OK – you've gotten your photographs converted to digital image files, so they are safe and secure... But – some of those old photos have notes on the back – names, dates, places, and other very important information that gives the pictures context. How can you preserve that information as a part of your digital record, so that it is not lost to posterity?

The good news is that this is a very easy thing to do:

First, open the directory where your pictures are stored:


directory1


This view shows part of a directory with the “Large Icons” view mode selected, but you can use any directory display mode you wish. To change the directory view mode, place your cursor in an area of the directory away from any files, and [Right-Click]. Move the Cursor over “View”, and move the Cursor to the right to bring up the “View” sub-menu:


view_mode


You can also set the view mode for the directory by going to the top left corner of the directory window and selecting the “View” button from the [Files - Edit - View - Tools - Help] buttons. That will bring up a menu with several different and very useful categories, including the display mode:


view_menu



Now that you have set up your directory view, you can begin to add notes to your image files.

Begin by placing your cursor over an image you want to add notes to, and [Right-Click] This will bring up a menu, with the “Properties” selection at the bottom:


1-menu-properties

[Left-click] on “Properties”; this will open the “Properties” panel:



properties_panel




Now, select the third tab at the top of the window: "Details":

details_tab


This is the place where you can record all the relevant information about your photo. As you move your cursor down the right half of the panel (in the open space to the right of center) you will have different options that appear.


You can add a Title:


title_bar



You can add a Subject:



subject_bar


You can give the picture a Rating:


rating_bar


You can add different Tags:



tag_bar


And, last but not least, you can add text notes. Just place your cursor to the right of the “Comments” line and a text window will appear:


comments_line




Then, [Left-Click] in that “Add Comments” window and begin to add your notes:


text_added


One thing to be aware of here is that once you start typing in the box, when you hit [Return] it will close the text window (just click in it again to re-open it). Just keep typing – the text will “wrap” and continue down the space until you have entered everything you want to include. There are many other data items that are included in this “Details” window, such as camera metadata, time and date of creation, etc., much of which you can add, or modify as needed. Now, you can complete your digital photo archive!

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