**Source URL:** https://general.veevavault.dev/safety/direct-data-api/references/metadata.md

# Metadata CSV File

The `metadata.csv` file defines the structure of each extract so that consumers can understand the structure of the extract CSV. The `metadata.csv` is available in the Metadata folder of a Full Direct Data file.

Incremental files include the metadata that has changed in the interval. Within an Incremental file's Metadata folder, there may be a `metadata_deletes.csv` file if there have been any metadata deletions over the 15-minute interval, such as the removal of a field from an object's configuration. There is also a `metadata_full.csv` under the root folder which includes the metadata of all Vault data. This file is identical to the `metadata.csv` file in a Full file and helps consumers look at all metadata of the Vault regardless of the changes that are captured in an Incremental file. The `manifest.csv` does not list this file.

The metadata CSV file includes the following standard columns in the following order:

| Column Name | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `modified_date` | The date the field's configuration was last updated. This value is `null` within the `metadata.csv` of a Full file and the `metadata_full.csv` of an Incremental file. |
| `extract` | The extract name, in the format `{component}.{extract_name}`. For example, `Object.user__sys` or `Document.document_version__sys`. |
| `extract_label` | The extract label. For example, if the extract name is `Object.user__sys`, the extract label is `User`. |
| `column_name` | Name of the column in the extract. For example, `description__c`. |
| `column_label` | The column label in the extract. For example, if the column name is `description__c`, the column label is `Description`. |
| `type` | The indicated data type of the column: `String`, `LongText`, `Number`, `Date`, `DateTime`, `Relationship`, `MultiRelationship`, `Picklist`, `MultiPicklist`, or `Boolean`. |
| `length` | For columns where the `type` value is `String` or `LongText`, this provides the length of the field. |
| `related_extract` | For columns where the `type` value is `Relationship`, `Picklist`, or `MultiPicklist`, this indicates the name of the related extract. |


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