How to Upload Metadata to Adobe Stock (CSV Guide)
Published March 5, 2026
Adobe Stock accepts CSV files for bulk metadata uploads, letting you add titles, descriptions, keywords, and categories to many images at once. This is much faster than editing each image individually through the Adobe Stock Contributor portal.
This guide covers the exact CSV format Adobe Stock requires, how to create and upload your file, and how to avoid the most common errors.
Adobe Stock CSV column format
Adobe Stock expects a CSV file with specific column headers. The file must be saved as UTF-8 encoded CSV.
| Column | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Filename | Yes | Exact filename of the uploaded image (e.g., IMG_1234.jpg) |
| Title | Yes | Descriptive title, max 200 characters |
| Keywords | Yes | Comma-separated keywords, max 50 keywords |
| Category | No | Adobe Stock category number (1-20) |
| Releases | No | Model or property release filenames |
Step 1: Upload your images first
Before uploading a CSV, your images must already be in the Adobe Stock Contributor portal. Upload your JPEG files through the portal or via FTP. Wait until all files are visible in your dashboard.
Step 2: Create your CSV file
Open a spreadsheet application (Google Sheets, Excel, or any text editor) and create columns matching the format above. Here's an example:
Filename,Title,Keywords,Category
IMG_1234.jpg,"Golden retriever puppy playing in autumn leaves","golden retriever,puppy,dog,autumn,fall,leaves,playing,pet,outdoor,nature,cute,animal",3
IMG_1235.jpg,"Modern office workspace with laptop and coffee","office,workspace,laptop,coffee,desk,modern,business,work,computer,indoor",4
Important formatting rules
- Filenames must match exactly — including capitalization and extension
- Wrap titles and keywords in double quotes if they contain commas
- Separate keywords with commas, not semicolons
- Save as UTF-8 CSV (not Excel format)
- No blank rows between entries
Step 3: Upload the CSV
- Log in to the Adobe Stock Contributor portal
- Navigate to your uploaded files
- Click "Import CSV" in the toolbar
- Select your CSV file
- Review the preview — Adobe Stock shows which fields will be updated
- Confirm the import
The metadata from your CSV will be applied to the matching files. Any fields left blank in the CSV won't overwrite existing data.
Adobe Stock category numbers
| Number | Category | Number | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animals | 11 | Industry |
| 2 | Buildings & Architecture | 12 | Landscapes |
| 3 | Business | 13 | Lifestyle |
| 4 | Drinks | 14 | People |
| 5 | Environment | 15 | Plants & Flowers |
| 6 | States of Mind | 16 | Religion |
| 7 | Food | 17 | Science |
| 8 | Graphic Resources | 18 | Social Issues |
| 9 | Hobbies & Leisure | 19 | Sports |
| 10 | IT & Communication | 20 | Technology |
Common CSV upload errors
Filename not found
The filename in your CSV doesn't match any uploaded file. Check for typos, extra spaces, and case sensitivity. "img_1234.jpg" and "IMG_1234.jpg" are different filenames.
Too many keywords
Adobe Stock allows a maximum of 50 keywords per image. If your CSV contains more than 50, the upload will fail for that row.
Encoding issues
Special characters (accents, non-Latin scripts) may appear garbled if the CSV is not saved as UTF-8. In Excel, use "Save As" and select "CSV UTF-8" as the format.
Title too long
Titles must be under 200 characters. Longer titles will be rejected.
Faster way to create Adobe Stock CSVs
Instead of writing metadata by hand, you can use KeywordPic to generate titles, descriptions, and keywords for your images, then export a CSV already formatted for Adobe Stock. Upload the CSV directly — no reformatting needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I update metadata after uploading a CSV?
Yes. You can upload a new CSV with updated metadata for the same filenames. The new data will overwrite the previous values.
Does Adobe Stock accept XLSX files?
No. Adobe Stock only accepts CSV files. If you're using Excel, save as "CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited)" format.
Can I add metadata to videos with CSV?
Yes. The same CSV format works for video files. Use the video filename in the Filename column.