# How to use metadata in q2-sample-classifier

**URL:** https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-to-use-metadata-in-q2-sample-classifier/9448
**Category:** User Support
**Created:** [April 30, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-to-use-metadata-in-q2-sample-classifier/9448 "2019-04-30T15:30:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![mudbugecology](https://forum.qiime2.org/user_avatar/forum.qiime2.org/mudbugecology/32/3429_2.png) [@mudbugecology](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/mudbugecology)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-to-use-metadata-in-q2-sample-classifier/9448/1 "2019-04-30T15:30:43Z")

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So I need to make a separate metadata file - two different files? Is there background on what the second metadata column file should focus on for use as a prediction target?

--m-metadata-column MetadataColumn[Categorical]  
Column from metadata file or artifact  
viewable as metadata. Categorical metadata  
column to use as prediction target.  
[required]

Error: Missing option: --m-metadata-column

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### Author: ![Nicholas\_Bokulich](https://forum.qiime2.org/user_avatar/forum.qiime2.org/nicholas_bokulich/32/19937_2.png) [@Nicholas\_Bokulich](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/Nicholas_Bokulich)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2019, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-to-use-metadata-in-q2-sample-classifier/9448/2 "2019-04-30T18:49:34Z")

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HI @mudbugecology,

Have you seen the [tutorial](https://docs.qiime2.org/2019.1/tutorials/sample-classifier/)? This should help clarify your questions. Please ready that for more, but short answers:

> [@mudbugecology](#):
>
> So I need to make a separate metadata file - two different files?

No. One file, specified with `--m-metadata-file`

> [@mudbugecology](#):
>
> Is there background on what the second metadata column file should focus on for use as a prediction target?

Column name corresponding to that metadata file.

See the tutorial for clearer examples.

Good luck!

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### Author: ![mudbugecology](https://forum.qiime2.org/user_avatar/forum.qiime2.org/mudbugecology/32/3429_2.png) [@mudbugecology](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/mudbugecology)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2019, 1:11am UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-to-use-metadata-in-q2-sample-classifier/9448/3 "2019-05-01T01:11:43Z")

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That makes sense. Thank you, Nicholas!

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### Author: ![system](https://forum-qiime2-org.s3.dualstack.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/3X/2/1/21af5fe23cb6f4579467c66a9ed94e55274ca7bd.svg) [@system](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2019, 7:11am UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-to-use-metadata-in-q2-sample-classifier/9448/4 "2019-06-01T07:11:44Z")

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