Table of Contents
Configuring a database connection for metadata import and export
31. March 2025
Table of Contents
This topic explains how to configure a database connection using ODBC in FotoStation. Such a connection can be used to look up text records in a database, insert them into the metadata of the files in your archive, and write metadata back to the database. It can also be used to import text from a database for application to files in a certain folder.
Creating a database connection
Connecting FotoStation to a database is done in the program configuration. Access it by opening the File menu (FotoStation Pro menu on the Mac) and choosing Configuration, then expanding the Metadata node in the configuration tree and clicking on the Database connections node. If no connection has been made previously, FotoStation will suggest creating one.
A connection to an existing database is made by specifying a Data source name (DSN). Configuring a System DSN is beyond the scope of this manual, but it can be done in the Windows Control Panel by opening Administrative Tools and choosing Data Sources (ODBC).
After naming the connection in FotoStation and specifying a DSN and username/password (if required), select Configure to set up a mapping between the database and metadata fields.
Mapping database and metadata fields
The screenshot above shows the dialog that lets you set up the mapping of database columns (to the left) to metadata fields (right). Doing this will allow a metadata editor in FotoStation to look up a certain database field and insert its contents in the associated text field. By mapping several columns to metadata fields, FotoStation can fill in associated fields from the same record automatically. In the example above, the database contains a list of countries and associated country codes. By mapping these fields to the Country and Country Code metadata fields, as shown above, and making slight changes to a text editor, it is possible to look up either database field and fill in the associated field automatically.
If you want to enter information in a field in the FotoStation text editor and write it back to the database, you will have to specify a primary key. Select a unique field, such as one containing a running number.
To save the ODBC connection, select OK and close the FotoStation configuration dialog.