How to Upload Metadata to Dreamstime (CSV Guide)
Published March 30, 2026
Dreamstime accepts CSV files for bulk metadata uploads. If you're uploading more than a handful of photos, a CSV beats filling in each field by hand.
Here's the exact CSV format Dreamstime expects, how to create and upload your file, and the errors that trip people up most often.
Dreamstime CSV column format
Dreamstime uses a specific CSV structure for bulk metadata uploads. The file should be saved as UTF-8 encoded CSV.
| Column | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Filename | Yes | Exact filename of the uploaded image (e.g., IMG_2045.jpg) |
| Title | Yes | Descriptive title, 5 to 250 characters |
| Description | Yes | Detailed description of the image content |
| Keywords | Yes | Comma-separated keywords, 7 to 50 keywords required |
| Category | No | Dreamstime category ID (optional, auto-assigned if blank) |
Step 1: Upload your images first
Your images must be in the Dreamstime contributor dashboard before you upload a CSV. Go to Upload > Upload Files in your Dreamstime account and upload your JPEGs. Wait until all files appear in your unfinished uploads queue.
Step 2: Create your CSV file
Open a spreadsheet application (Google Sheets, Excel, or a text editor) and create columns matching the format above. Here's an example:
Filename,Title,Description,Keywords
IMG_2045.jpg,"Street market in Marrakech at sunset","Colorful spice stalls and lanterns at a traditional street market in Marrakech, Morocco during golden hour","market,marrakech,morocco,street,spices,sunset,golden hour,lanterns,travel,africa,colorful,stalls,bazaar,culture,traditional"
IMG_2046.jpg,"Misty mountain forest at dawn","Dense pine forest covered in morning mist with soft light filtering through the trees","forest,mist,mountain,dawn,pine,trees,nature,landscape,fog,morning,wilderness,peaceful,green,woods,light"
Formatting rules
- Filenames must match exactly — including capitalization and file extension
- Wrap titles, descriptions, and keywords in double quotes if they contain commas
- Separate keywords with commas (no spaces after the comma is fine)
- Minimum 7 keywords per image — fewer will be rejected
- Maximum 50 keywords per image
- Save as UTF-8 CSV, not Excel format
Step 3: Upload the CSV
- Log in to your Dreamstime contributor account
- Go to your unfinished uploads
- Click "Import CSV" or "Bulk Edit"
- Select your CSV file
- Review the preview to confirm fields mapped correctly
- Apply the metadata and submit your images for review
The CSV data maps to the matching filenames in your upload queue. Images without a matching row in the CSV will be left unchanged.
Dreamstime keyword requirements
Dreamstime is pickier about keywords than most platforms. Their reviewers actually check keywords against the image, and irrelevant tags will get your submission bounced.
What Dreamstime reviewers look for
- Minimum 7 keywords — submissions with fewer are automatically rejected
- Relevance — every keyword should describe something visible in the image or a directly related concept
- No spam — repeating the same keyword in different forms ("run, running, runner, runs") counts as keyword spam
- English keywords — Dreamstime requires keywords in English, even if you're submitting to their localized sites
Keyword tips for Dreamstime
- Use single words when possible — "sunset" rather than "beautiful sunset"
- Include both specific and conceptual terms: "laptop" (specific) + "remote work" (concept)
- Add location keywords when relevant: country, city, region
- Include the season, time of day, or weather if it's a defining feature of the image
- Think about what a buyer would type when searching for an image like yours
Dreamstime categories
Dreamstime assigns categories automatically based on your keywords and image content, but you can also set them manually. Common categories include:
| Category | Good For |
|---|---|
| Business/Finance | Office scenes, meetings, corporate |
| Nature/Landscapes | Scenery, weather, seasons, wildlife |
| People | Portraits, lifestyle, groups |
| Travel/Vacation | Destinations, landmarks, hotels |
| Food and Drink | Dishes, ingredients, restaurants |
| Technology | Devices, software, digital concepts |
Common CSV upload errors
Filename not found
The filename in your CSV doesn't match any uploaded file. Double-check for typos, extra spaces, and case sensitivity.
Too few keywords
Dreamstime requires at least 7 keywords per image. Rows with fewer than 7 will fail validation.
Title too short or too long
Titles must be between 5 and 250 characters. One-word titles will be rejected.
Encoding issues
Non-Latin characters may display incorrectly if the file isn't saved as UTF-8. In Excel, use "Save As" and choose "CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited)."
Missing description
Unlike some platforms, Dreamstime requires a description. Blank description fields will cause the row to fail.
Skip the spreadsheet
If building CSV files by hand sounds tedious, it is. KeywordPic generates titles, descriptions, and keywords from your photos, then exports a Dreamstime-ready CSV. You review the metadata, tweak anything that looks off, and upload.
The free keyword generator lets you try it on a couple of images first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I update metadata after images are approved on Dreamstime?
Yes. Go to your portfolio, select the image, and edit the metadata fields directly. Changes go through a quick re-review before going live.
Does Dreamstime accept XLSX or XLS files?
No. Dreamstime only accepts CSV files. Export from Excel as "CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited)."
How long does Dreamstime review take?
Typically 3 to 7 business days. Images with clean metadata and relevant keywords tend to be approved faster.
Can I upload the same CSV for Dreamstime and other platforms?
Not directly — each platform has different column requirements. KeywordPic can export platform-specific CSVs from the same set of images, so you don't need to rewrite metadata for each platform.