Exif Viewer

ExifTool (exiftool.org) is the definitive command-line metadata extraction and editing tool capable of reading and writing metadata in hundreds of file formats including JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PDF, RAW camera formats, video files, audio files, and Microsoft Office documents. Developed by Phil Harvey, it is the reference standard for digital forensic metadata analysis.

For OSINT investigators and digital forensic analysts, ExifTool is essential for comprehensive metadata extraction from any file encountered during an investigation. Unlike web-based EXIF viewers that only process standard JPEG metadata, ExifTool handles the full diversity of metadata formats across all file types — making it the go-to tool for any investigation involving file metadata analysis.

Photograph metadata analysis with ExifTool extracts all standard and non-standard metadata fields including GPS coordinates, capture timestamps, camera make/model/serial number, lens information, exposure settings, and any proprietary manufacturer-specific fields. For investigative documentation, ExifTool's CSV export allows all metadata to be incorporated directly into case file spreadsheets.

Document metadata analysis is another critical capability. Microsoft Office documents embed author name, company name, last modified date, and creation date in their metadata. These fields frequently contain the author's real name and employer even when the document content is anonymous. PDF metadata similarly records author and creator information.

Video file metadata from ExifTool includes creation timestamps, GPS coordinates from geotagging-enabled devices, device model, encoding software, and duration. For video evidence authentication, the full metadata record provides context that complements visual analysis.

ExifTool's batch processing capability allows investigators to extract metadata from entire directories of files simultaneously, generating comprehensive metadata inventories from seized devices or document collections. The structured output formats (XML, JSON, CSV) integrate directly with analysis tools.

Install ExifTool locally rather than uploading sensitive investigation files to web-based services. Run against all files encountered in investigations where metadata may be present and relevant.

Document ExifTool version used, command flags applied, files processed, and all relevant output fields with extraction timestamps for forensic records.