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6.9. MARC Batch Edit
Last Updated 02/04/2026
How to Batch Edit Bibliographic Records
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Evergreen includes a function that allows catalogers to make simple changes to multiple MARC records at once. This function is limited to adding and removing MARC tags and subfields, or making straightforward edits to existing metadata in these fields.
NC Cardinal typically does not recommend editing records in batch. However, the function is available in Evergreen, allowing catalogers to add, remove, or modify specific tags on multiple records at once.
This function is typically used to batch modify records in buckets.
What MARC Batch Edit Can and Cannot Do
MARC Batch Edit is a powerful tool, but it also has some limitations. This tool can do the following tasks to a group of MARC records:
- Remove all instances of a specific tag (e.g. remove all =992 tags)
- Remove all instances of a specific tag if a particular subfield has a particular values (e.g. remove all =650 fields in which the subfield $2 is fast)
- Remove all instances of a specific subfield (e.g. remove all =245$h)
- Remove all instances of a specific set of subfields
- Add a field
- Add a subfield to an existing field
- Replace data in a specific field or subfield
This tool cannot do more advanced tasks, such as:
- Swapping data from one field to another
- Deduplicating MARC records
- Complex logic based on existing data
For more complex batch editing of MARC records, it is recommended that you use MarcEdit instead.
Setting Up a Batch Edit Session
To access MARC Batch Edit, select it from the Cataloging dropdown menu:
The MARC Batch Edit screen will display:
The modal includes the following fields:
Record Source: Use this field to identify the batch of records you will be editing. This includes options to select an existing record bucket, upload a CSV file of record ID numbers, or manually input record IDs.
Action (Rule Type): This field allows the user to define the type of action to take. Options include:
- Replace: Replaces the value in a MARC field for a batch of records.
- Delete: Removes a MARC field and its contents from the batch of records.
- Add: Use this to add a field and its contents to a batch of records.
MARC Fields: These fields identify which MARC tags and subfields will be added, deleted, or edited, and the metadata for the new/edited tag.
- MARC Tag: This is used to identify the field for adding, replacing, or deleting.
- Subfields (optional): Indicates which subfield is being edited.
- MARC Data: Use this to indicate the metadata to add.
Note: Data in the MARC Data field must be formatted with indicator delimiters (\) and subfield delimiters ($).
Go! (button): This button runs the action defined by the rule template(s).
Fields to Avoid
Advanced Matching Restrictions: You should never have to use these fields. In fact, we strongly recommend you use MarcEdit instead should you need this level of complexity when batch editing MARC records.
Add a New Merge Rule: To avoid potential widespread errors, NC Cardinal recommends adding only one edit/merge rule at a time.
Remove This Merge Rule: This button removes merge rules prior to hitting the Go button. Since NC Cardinal discourages catalogers from making multiple batch edits at once, this should not be necessary.
Running a Template to Add, Delete, or Replace MARC Data
- Click Cataloging → MARC Batch Edit
- Select Record Source
- Select the appropriate bucket, load the CSV file, or enter the record ID, depending on Record Source selected
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Note that you can only enter one record ID at a time. Even if you enter multiple record ID’s, only the first record will be impacted by the edit. The other records will not be touched.
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- Select the Action Rule
- Enter the MARC Tag with no indicators (e.g. 245)
- Enter the subfields with no spaces. Subfields are optional. Multiple subfields can be entered such as auz.
- Enter the MARC Data which is the value in the fields
- Click Go!
- Results page will display indicating the number of records successfully edited
Example Add Merge Rules
The screenshot below demonstrates adding =250 \\$aLarge print edition. to several records in a bucket. The "Merge Template Preview" box shows you what the information will look like in the record.
- Action (Rule Type) is set to Add
- MARC Tag is set to 250
- Subfield is set to a
- MARC Data is set to =250\\$sLarge print edition.
- Record Source is a bucket
Example Delete Merge Rule
The screenshot below demonstrates deleting field =250 from a record selected using its record ID.
- Action (Rule Type) is set to Delete
- MARC Tag is set to 250
- Subfield is left blank
- MARC Data is left blank
- Record Source is a Bib Record ID
Note: If you intend to delete the entire field, including all subfields in the MARC Tag, do NOT include any subfields. If you include all the subfields (even if there is only one), the process will hang indefinitely. However, if there are multiple subfields, and you only want to delete one of them, enter the subfield in the Subfields (optional) field.
Example Replace Merge Rule
The screenshot below demonstrates replacing the existing =100 field in several records in a bucket with a new =100 \\$aPatterson, James,$d1947- field, subfields, and data.
- Action (Rule Type) is set to Replace
- MARC Tag is set to 100
- Subfield is set to ad
- MARC Data is set to =100\\$aPatterson, James,$d1947-
- Record Source is a bucket