Add or remove metadata
Microsoft Expression Web uses metadata to manage the cross-page dependencies that are required for some Expression Web features such as hyperlink management features, Dynamic Web templates, and certain website reports. Certain options in the Site Settings and Properties dialog boxes are also unavailable if your site does not have metadata. In order to use these features, you need to add metadata to your site.
Important
Depending on the method you choose to publish your site, metadata could be viewed by users browsing the site. You have several options to prevent this from happening. For more information, see Publishing websites.
Metadata is stored in special folders which are hidden by default to prevent them from accidentally being deleted, changed, or moved. The folder _vti_cnf folder contains information about every file, such as which links are within the file. The _vti_pvt folder stores all of the configuration information for the site.
Expression Web uses metadata to store information about:
Certain file properties such as page title and file size (the General tab on the Properties dialog box).
Summary comments (the Comments box on Summary tab on the Properties dialog box).
Workgroup options (the Workgroup tab on the Properties dialog box).
Certain website reports.
Note
Reports that do not require metadata include All Files, Recently Changed Files, and Older Files.
Script language settings (the Advanced tab on the Site Settings dialog box).
Server message language settings (the Language tab on the Site Settings dialog box).
Database connection information (the Database tab on the Site Settings dialog box).
Pages which are attached to a Dynamic Web Template.
Metadata is required for the following:
FrontPage websites with components that require FrontPage Server Extensions.
Hyperlink management features.
Hyperlinks view.
You can easily add metadata to or remove metadata from your website. You can also refresh the metadata and resynchronize the cross-page dependencies that metadata supports by using the Recalculate Hyperlinks command. Recalculating your website metadata is recommended any time you add metadata to your website.
To add metadata to your site
On the Site menu, click Site Settings.
In the Site Settings dialog box, on the General tab, select Manage the website using hidden metadata files.
To remove metadata from your site
On the Site menu, click Site Settings.
In the Site Settings dialog box, on the General tab, clear Manage the Web site using hidden metadata files.
Note
You cannot remove metadata from a site stored under My Web Sites on your computer.
To recalculate metadata
With your website open, on the Site menu, click Recalculate Hyperlinks.
In the Recalculate Hyperlinks dialog box, click Yes.