Uploading new version of a document erases all the existing metadata in SP2013

Question

_{Tuesday, October 31, 2017 6:59 AM}

Issue: - Uploading new version of a document erases all the existing metadata in SP2013

Steps to replicate:-

First we are creating a document library.
Then we are enable the versioning settings for the library :
1. Go to Library Settings.
2. Click on Versioning Settings.
3. Now enable versionining and creating two mandatory columns (Author & Keyword) :
Now upload a document (Excel sheet, Ppt or Word Document) .
1. Go to Files and then click on Upload Document
2. We are uploading a ppt here :
3. Then we will get the option to fill up the properties of the document
4. Now we are filling up the properties and saved the document
5. Now again if we make changes to the ORIGINAL document values and re upload the same , We are getting the option to fill up the properties again :

Observations and Findings :

The issue is getting replicated in SharePoint 2013 sites.
The issue is not replicable in SharePoint 2007 sites.
The issue is not replicable when we download the document from the document library and then upload it after editing, (as at the time of downloading the document the properties get saved with the document).
The issue is not replicable for pdf documents. It is only replicable for Word, Ppt and Excel documents in SP2013.

QUESTION:Is this an expected behavior or a bug?Is there any solution or work around is present for the same.

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All replies (4)

_{Tuesday, October 31, 2017 7:11 AM}

Hello,

I think that 's because of the name you choose for your column, Author and keywords exists on office files when you create them, so they are empty.

Don't forget that when you upload a file to SharePoint, it first add the document to the library and after it shows you the form to update metadatas.

Try maybe to choose other columns name or to create/edit your files from SharePoint instead of from your computer

Best regards, Christopher.
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_{Tuesday, October 31, 2017 6:40 PM}

Hi sumitdas- are you sure the file name is exactly the same as the original? If it was, you shouldn't need to update the properties, they should remain the same. Sounds like you're not overwriting the original, but creating a new doc with a different name.

Also, check your library settings for anything that would cause this issue.

cameron rautmann

_{Wednesday, November 1, 2017 7:15 AM | 1 vote}

Hi sumitdas7,

It is an expected behavior. Because when you upload the document into the document library in SharePoint site, it will create document properties for the columns in the document library.

You could check the document properties in the document panel.

In the original document, there is no such document properties created by SharePoint for the columns in the document library.

So, every time you upload the original document, SharePoint cannot get document properties and put into the corresponding columns in the document library. There is no value in the corresponding columns even with the same document name as uploading the new document.

If you download the document from the document library, there are the document properties created for the columns in the document library.

When you upload the downloaded document after editing, SharePoint can get the document properties and put into the corresponding columns in the document library.

Then you will see values in the columns if you upload the downloaded document.

There is a workaround.

Download the document and re-upload the document after editing. Do not use the original document.

Best regards,

Sara Fan

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_{Friday, November 3, 2017 8:37 AM}