> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.siftstack.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Organize resources with Metadata

> Define a structured taxonomy using Metadata keys to organize, categorize, and filter resources including Runs, Campaigns, and Annotations across your workspace.

As your workspace grows, finding the right Run, Asset, or Rule across hundreds of resources becomes harder. Metadata lets you define structured key-value pairs once at the organization level and apply them consistently across all your resources, so your entire team can filter and search using the same taxonomy.

## Before you begin

* You have an **Admin** or **Editor** role.
* You are familiar with how [Sift organizes data into Assets, Channels, and Runs](/documentation/get-started/data-model).

## How Metadata works

A Metadata key is a structured label defined once at the organization level and applied to any supported [resource](/documentation/reference/manage/metadata-settings#resources-that-support-metadata) in Sift, such as a Run, Asset, Rule, or Calculated Channel. Each key has a fixed [data type](/documentation/reference/manage/metadata-settings#data-types) (String, Number, or Boolean) that cannot be changed after creation, ensuring values remain consistent across the workspace.

For example, you could define a key called `test_phase` of type String and apply it to Runs with values like `EVT` (Engineering Validation Test), `DVT` (Design Validation Test), or `PVT` (Production Validation Test). Any engineer on your team can then filter Runs by `test_phase` to find exactly the data they need.

## Create a Metadata key

Metadata keys are created in the Manage workspace and are available across the entire organization once created.

1. Click your profile icon.
2. Select **Manage**.
3. In the **Manage** navigation menu, click **Metadata**.
4. Click **Create Metadata Key**.
5. In the **Name** box, enter a name for the Metadata key.
6. In the **Type** list, select a data type for the Metadata key.
7. Click **Create**.

## Add values to a Metadata key

For String and Number keys, you can predefine a set of values that will appear as selectable options when the key is applied to a resource.
This option is not available for Boolean keys, since their values are limited to `true` and `false`.

1. Click your profile icon.
2. Select **Manage**.
3. In the **Manage** navigation menu, click **Metadata**.
4. In the **Metadata** table, locate the Metadata key you want to add values to.
5. Click <Icon icon="ellipsis-vertical" /> **Options**.
6. Select **View values**.
7. In the **Enter \[data type] value** box, enter a value.
8. Click **Add value**.

## Apply Metadata to a resource

Once a Metadata key exists, you can apply it to any supported resource. The steps vary slightly depending on the resource type.

### Runs

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the Run you want to add Metadata to.
2. Click **Edit**.
3. Click **Add Metadata**.
4. In the **Select or create key** list, select a Metadata key.
5. In the **Enter or select value** list, select a value.
6. Click **Save changes**.

### Assets

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the <Icon icon="cube" /> **Assets** tab.
2. Click the Asset you want to add Metadata to.
3. Click **Edit Metadata**.
4. Click **+ Add Metadata**.
5. In the **Select or create key** list, select a Metadata key.
6. In the **Enter or select value** list, select a value.
7. Click **Save changes**.

### Rules and User-Defined Functions

Rules and User-Defined Functions follow the same pattern and both require publishing after saving.

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the <Icon icon="code-simple" /> **Rules** or <Icon icon="function" /> **User-Defined Functions** tab.
2. Click the resource you want to add Metadata to.
3. Click **Edit**.
4. Click **Add Metadata**.
5. In the **Select or create key** list, select a Metadata key.
6. In the **Enter or select value** list, select a value.
7. Click **Save**.
8. Click **Publish**.

### Reports

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the <Icon icon="list-check" /> **Reports** tab.
2. Click the Report you want to add Metadata to.
3. Click **Edit Metadata**.
4. Click **Add Metadata**.
5. In the **Select or create key** list, select a Metadata key.
6. In the **Enter or select value** list, select a value.
7. Click **Save**.

### Report Templates

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the <Icon icon="file-lines" /> **Report Templates** tab.
2. Click the Report Template you want to add Metadata to.
3. Click **Edit**.
4. Click **Add Metadata**.
5. In the **Select or create key** list, select a Metadata key.
6. In the **Enter or select value** list, select a value.
7. Click **Save changes**.
8. Click **Save**.

### Campaigns

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the <Icon icon="objects-column" /> **Campaigns** tab.
2. Click the Campaign you want to add Metadata to.
3. Click **Add Metadata**.
4. In the **Select or create key** list, select a Metadata key.
5. In the **Enter or select value** list, select a value.
6. Click **Save**.

### Calculated Channels

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the <Icon icon="waves-sine" /> **Calculated Channels** tab.
2. Click the Calculated Channel you want to add Metadata to.
3. Click **Edit**.
4. Click **Add Metadata**.
5. In the **Select or create key** list, select a Metadata key.
6. In the **Enter or select value** list, select a value.
7. Click **Save**.
8. Click **Save changes**.

## Filter resources by Metadata

Once Metadata is applied to resources, use it to filter and find specific resources across your workspace.

1. In **Sift's** homepage, click the tab for the resource type you want to filter (for example, <Icon icon="stopwatch" /> **Runs** or <Icon icon="cube" /> **Assets**).
2. Click **Metadata**.
3. In the **Select key** list, select a Metadata key.
4. In the **Enter or select value** box, enter or select a value.
5. Optional: Click **+ Add** to add additional Metadata filters.

## Reference

* [Metadata settings](/documentation/reference/manage/metadata-settings)