Names vocabulary shouldn't overwrite existing data

[tmorrell]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

In our use case, we're automatically populating metadata from CrossRef and then enhancing metadata in the deposit form. Currently existing metadata in the creators field, like a name, that is replaced when you use the "Search for persons" functionality. This is problematic when you want to retain the published name form for an article, but enhance the name with additional metadata from the vocabulary such as identifiers or affiliations.

Describe the solution you'd like

The "Search for persons" box should only add new metadata, not replace existing metadata in the modal.

[ntarocco]

After discussion, 2 possible options:

1. harmonize the behaviour of the widget to always fill in the missing info when selecting from a vocabulary, and don't overwrite existing input
2. or, if not a viable solution for everyone, make this behaviour configurable, via config/props

[github-actions]

This issue was automatically marked as stale.