What does the metadata editor allow you to do regardless of metadata specification?

The metadata editor is a tool that primarily facilitates the creation of metadata, which provides essential information about a dataset, including its origin, purpose, and usage. Regardless of the specific metadata standard in use—such as ISO 19115, FGDC, or Dublin Core—the metadata editor offers a consistent interface that allows users to input relevant details about their geospatial data.

This capability is critical for ensuring that datasets are well-documented, facilitating better data sharing, discovery, and understanding. Comprehensive metadata improves the usability of the data, supports proper data stewardship, and enhances the overall integrity of geospatial projects.

While editing visual representations, exporting data, or compiling statistics are valuable functions in various GIS workflows, these do not directly relate to the core purpose of creating metadata. The essence of using a metadata editor rests in its ability to generate and structure descriptive, administrative, and technical information about geospatial datasets, making the creation of metadata the quintessential function of such a tool.