L.6.2.1 Metadata Properties

Metadata properties are represented as XML elements with associated name and datatype. There are two kinds of properties: simple and complex. Simple properties are singular XML elements whose data type and value is defined by the datatype and value of that XML element. Complex properties contain nested variant type XML elements that define the datatype and value of complex data such as arrays and vectors. Metadata properties are non-repeatable and must be defined within their associated metadata part. All metadata properties can be empty or omitted. If all properties of a metadata part are omitted, that part can be excluded from the document.

Simple property and custom complex property

<dc:creator>John Smith</dc:creator>
<property fmtid="{D5CDD505-2E9C-101B-9397-08002B2CF9AE}" pid="2"
name="Editor">
  <vt:lpwstr>John Smith</vt:lpwstr>
</property>