---
title: Upload metadata to GotPhoto without QR cards
description: The metadata upload is a great way to import previous jobs to GotPhoto where you did not use QR cards.
---
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3. [Review Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#review-phase)
September 1, 2026
# Upload metadata to GotPhoto without QR cards
**Table of contents**
- [Overview](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#Overview)
- [1. Template](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#1.-Template)
- [2. Job settings](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#2.-Job-settings)
- [3. CSV upload](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#3.-CSV-upload)
- [4. Photo upload](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#4.-Photo-upload)
- [5. Tagging photos](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#5.-Tagging-photos)
- [6. Names list](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#6.-Names-list)
- [7. Switch job to selling](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#7.-Switch-job-to-selling)
- [The takeaway](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-metadata-to-gotphoto-without-qr-cards#The-takeaway)
### **Overview**
If you previously used paper forms or a different tagging system instead of QR cards, you can import your job into GotPhoto using metadata upload. This step-by-step guide shows you how to use a CSV template, upload metadata, and tag photos efficiently. For a quick demo, watch [this screencast](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WM2Fhii78q5GCZt9SEyYdoQEvEEPoWkx/view?usp=sharing).
### **1. Template**
Please download [this metadata CSV template](https://img3c.fotocdn.de/rz24wsqm/files/metadata_sample.csv). It includes an additional **Photo** column to list file names. Do not modify the template by editing any of the column headers or adding additional columns to it. The success of this process relies heavily on clean and accurate template data.
**Note:** If your job requires more than 2 potential buyers, the additional buyers need to be added after the metadata has completed tagging & activating the galleries. Once you confirm the correct sorting & tagging of your images, export your list of names from the job's settings tab. Then add the additional buyers to the exported CSV and [update the list](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/nameslist-import#Updating-a-names-list).
GotPhoto requires the names list to be in UTF-8 format. If your original file uses a different encoding, convert or save it as UTF-8 to avoid import issues. See [how to convert to UTF-8](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/why-special-characters-or-rosters-may-not-import-correctly-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en).
**Mandatory fields:**
- Firstname
- Access Code – Create random codes if needed. The character limit is 60, but we recommend 6–8 characters for ease of use.
- Photo – File name (e.g., “123.jpg”)
**Optional information:**
- **Parent contact info:** To create a customer entry, include an email. A phone number alone won’t create one.
- **Group:** Organize subjects by grade/team. Enables the "Resort photos by group/teacher" option after upload.
- **Identifier:** Use a unique student ID for each row to prevent data conflicts.
**Multiple images for subjects:** Use one row per image. If a subject has three photos, include three distinct rows. 
---
### **2. Job settings**
1. Create a job and select **Access code for each person** and **Manual tagging** in Settings. ([Create a job](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/create-a-photo-job?hsLang=en))
2. Select your [price list](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/create-and-manage-price-lists?hsLang=en) and fill in [Important Events](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/the-photo-jobs-settings-page?hsLang=en).
3. **\[Optional\]** Assign a [Communication Profile](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/add-an-automated-communication-campaign-to-a-photo-job?hsLang=en).
4. Click **Save** at the top or bottom of the settings page.
---
### **3. CSV upload**
1. Go to **Photo Management**.
2. Open the **Actions** menu and select **Import metadata**. 
3. Upload your CSV file. 
4. **\[Optional\]** Use the **Resort photos based on names list** dropdown to sort images by group or teacher. Do not click **Apply** yet - you must upload photos first. 
---
### **4. Photo upload**
[Upload pictures](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/photo-upload-options-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en) via the web interface in Photo Management. Organize images into folders or albums.
Use faster options like [EasyUpload](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-photos-with-easyupload?hsLang=en), [sFTP](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-photos-using-ftp-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en), or [Lightroom](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upload-photos-via-lightroom-classic-plugin?hsLang=en). 
---
### **5. Tagging photos**
1. Select a **watermark** (optional) and click **Apply**. Enable **Resort photos based on name list** if applicable. 
2. Wait for access codes to activate. Do not close the page during the process.
3. Each album will be tagged with student info. Change the default [index image](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/assign-or-change-index-and-cover-photos-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en) if needed. 
**\[Optional\] Group pictures:** Upload group photos into a shared or individual album. You can [move them later](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/move-multiple-pictures-between-albums-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en) or use a shared album for all participants. [Learn more](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/create-a-shared-group-photo-album-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en).
---
### **6. Names list**
\[Optional\] Go back to job settings and, under Access Type, switch from **Manual Tagging** to **QR Tagging with List of Names**. Click **Save**. The **Manage Names** button will appear. This step is optional, it makes it more convenient for you and your team to view and edit the names list when needed.
---
### **7. Switch job to selling**
If all settings are complete, change the job status from **Planning** to **Selling**.
---
### **The takeaway**
Use GotPhoto’s enhanced metadata workflow to import and manage legacy photo jobs with or without QR cards. This guide walks you through CSV setup, tagging, sorting, and transitioning your job to selling-all while giving you flexibility with upload methods and organizational tools.
- [Getting Started](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [One-Time Settings](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#one-time-settings)
- [Price Lists and Product Packages](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#price-lists-and-product-packages)
- [Your Online Shop](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#your-online-shop)
- [Communication With Customers](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#communication-with-customers)
- [Upselling Options](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#upselling-options)
- [Navigation](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#navigation)
- [How-To's](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Review Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#review-phase)
- [Sales Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#sales-phase)
- [Workflow Guides for Specific Scenarios](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#workflow-guides-for-specific-scenarios)
- [Planning Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#planning-phase)
- [Picture Day Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#picture-day-phase)
- [Manage your Account](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#manage-your-account)
- [GotPhoto's Editing Services](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/gotphotos-editing-services?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [GotPhoto's Editing Services](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/gotphotos-editing-services?hsLang=en#gotphotos-editing-services)
- [Sports Graphics Creation Service by Next Gen](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/sports-graphics-creation-service-by-next-gen?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Next Gen](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/sports-graphics-creation-service-by-next-gen?hsLang=en#next-gen)
- [Entagged & GotPhoto Tagging App](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Master Entagged with Comprehensive Tutorials.](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#master-entagged-with-comprehensive-tutorials)
- [Entagged Troubleshooting](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#entagged-troubleshooting)
- [GotPhoto Tagging App](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#gotphoto-tagging-app)
- [Business & Growth](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Stripe & Accounting Resources](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#stripe-accounting-resources)
- [Best practices](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#best-practices)
- [Webinars](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#webinars)
- [Templates and Downloads](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#templates-and-downloads)
- [GotPhoto Referral Program](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#gotphoto-referral-program)
- [UK Materials](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#uk-materials)
- [Troubleshooting](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Uploading Photos](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#uploading-photos)
- [Customer-Facing Issues](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#customer-facing-issues)
- [Access Codes](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#access-codes)
- [Managing Names Lists](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#managing-names-lists)
- [Customer Outreach](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#customer-outreach)
- [Customizing Your Shop](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#customizing-your-shop)
- [Your Account](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#your-account)
- [Price Lists](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#price-lists)
- [Student Data Export](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#student-data-export)
- [DIY Sports Graphic Creation & Group Composites](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/diy-sports-graphic-creation-group-composites?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Workflow Resources: QSuite, Pixnub & Team Photo Composite](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/diy-sports-graphic-creation-group-composites?hsLang=en#workflow-resources-qsuite-pixnub-team-photo-composite)
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