How to delete FGDC content

This tip demonstrates how to remove all FGDC-related metadata content from a metadata record while leaving any thumbnails, enclosures, or other metadata content intact.

This macro doesn't verify that the selected object supports metadata, whether it already has metadata, or whether the metadata is writable.

How to use

Paste this macro into VBA.
Select an object in ArcCatalog that has metadata.
Run the macro.

[VBA]


        Sub DeleteFGDCContent()
    
    Dim pGxApp As IGxApplication
    Dim pGxView As IGxView
    Dim pMD As IMetadata
    Dim pPS As IPropertySet
    Dim dNow As Date
    
    Set pGxApp = Application
    Set pMD = pGxApp.SelectedObject
    Set pPS = pMD.Metadata
    
    ' delete the seven sections that contain FGDC metadata
    ' elements and all of their contents - including any
    ' custom elements based on the FGDC metadata standard
    ' that were added into these sections
    pPS.RemoveProperty "idinfo"
    pPS.RemoveProperty "dataqual"
    pPS.RemoveProperty "spdoinfo"
    pPS.RemoveProperty "spref"
    pPS.RemoveProperty "eainfo"
    pPS.RemoveProperty "distinfo"
    pPS.RemoveProperty "metainfo"
    
    ' set the time that the metadata was modified, then
    ' save the changes
    dNow = Now
    pPS.SetProperty "Esri/ModDate", Format(dNow, "yyyymmdd")
    pPS.SetProperty "Esri/ModTime", Format(dNow, "HhNnSs") & "00"
    pMD.Metadata = pPS
    
    Set pGxView = pGxApp.View
    If TypeOf pGxView Is IGxDocumentationView Then
        pGxView.Refresh
    End If
    
End Sub