Forum Discussion

Iron Contributor

Nov 06, 2021

Is there any way to update SharePoint library metadata without updating modified columns?

I would like to make some housekeeping on some of our document libraries. Adding or changing a lot of metadata. Of course I would like to do do this without changing modified and modified by colu...

Document Library

SharePoint Online

Erik Wettergren

Iron Contributor

May 18, 2022

I got no answers but would like to bring this up again - there must be some kind of workaround!?

I believe Microsoft have created a library maintenance disaster by making it impossible to update metadata without changing modified/modified by columns.

What can I do?

Paul_HK_de_Jong
Iron Contributor
May 18, 2022
Erik Wettergren
Have a look at validateupdatelistitem (link)
We use this to change metadata in bulk (https://www.slimapplications.com/product/bulkmetadatamanager/). It allows for setting metadata and manipulating the modified field. Most likely you can also manipulate the modified by field.
// get modified and modified by for the existing SharePoint item
// generate a request to set the metadata and set the modified and modified by fields
// execute the request
Paul | SLIM Applications
- Erik Wettergren
  Iron Contributor
  May 18, 2022
  Hi Paul_HK_de_Jong and thanks for these links and suggetions.
  
  However, it seems like at least validateupdatelistitem is for on-prem SharePoint only. I need this for Online.
  - Paul_HK_de_Jong
    Iron Contributor
    May 18, 2022
    we use it for SharePoint Online all the time. Works like a charm.
    Onyl drawback is that if you set 10 fields and 1 fails then all fields fall. Make sure the error handling is present.