Scarecrow237

Q: How do I import multiple playlists into iTunes?

I have a folder on my PC named "Music" inside this folder are 5,372 sub-folders each containing the songs from specific albums, and an m3u file representing the playlist for that album. I have just started using iTunes. I have imported the music from the "Music" folder, but the playlists haven't been transfered. I have attempted to import them, but it seems that I must do it one at a time? I have tried to drag and drop them all at one, but this creates on playlist file that contains all songs, rather than the 5,372 individual playlists that I desire. Is there anyway to import all of these playlists at one time, or is iTunes a big waste of time requiring my to import 5,372 individual files?

PC, Windows 7

Posted on Nov 15, 2010 10:35 AM

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Q: How do I import multiple playlists into iTunes?

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  • by Lord Flaximus,

    Lord Flaximus Lord Flaximus Aug 2, 2013 8:28 AM in response to Scarecrow237
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 2, 2013 8:28 AM in response to Scarecrow237

    You can do everything you want VERY EASILY.

     

    OLD COMPUTER:
    Step 1. Consolidate and have iTunes organize your music library.

    Step 2. Copy the iTunes Media Folder full of your newly organized music to a safe place. (external HD)
    Step 3. Export Libary

    Step 4. Export Playlists

     

    NEW COMPUTER:

    Step 1. Import that iTunes Media Folder full of the organized music from your external (or where ever you saved it).

    Step 2. Library > Import Playlist

    Step 3. After the dialog box pops up navigate to the iTunesLibary.xml file that you exported in step 3 on the old computerlaahh

     

    Whaa freaking laahhh.

    Exact library and playlists.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 2, 2013 9:44 AM in response to Lord Flaximus
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 2, 2013 9:44 AM in response to Lord Flaximus

    Hi, welcome to Apple Support Communities.

     

    If you're read the original post a little more closely you'd see that firstly it was written 2 and half years ago, so I doubt Scarecrow is still waiting on a solution, and secondly that the problem was he wanted to import playlists that weren't already in an iTunes library into it, not transfer the library from one machine to another. As it happens migrating a library the right way means there is no need to export or import anything. See this migrate iTunes library post for details.

     

    tt2

  • by Astipupjr,

    Astipupjr Astipupjr Jan 15, 2014 8:47 AM in response to Scarecrow237
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 15, 2014 8:47 AM in response to Scarecrow237

    You go to file-library-import playlist and you select where the playlist is stored... you might have had to right-click the playlist before and click export while it was still there.

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jan 15, 2014 8:28 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 15, 2014 8:28 AM in response to turingtest2

    .

     

    tt2

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jan 15, 2014 8:44 AM in response to Astipupjr
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 15, 2014 8:44 AM in response to Astipupjr

    And yet you still failed to read the question or the answers, or take note of how long ago the question was asked... How to import 5,372 playlists without doing it one at a time? Asked and answered over three years ago now.

     

    (And if anyone still really, really, wants a script to do it I will oblige.)

     

    tt2

  • by Moisee,

    Moisee Moisee Aug 14, 2014 9:19 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 14, 2014 9:19 AM in response to turingtest2

    TT2, hello again. Weeks ago, in another thread, you, patiently and generously, helped me gather together all of my mp3s stored on my various hard drives onto one external hard drive [ now called  Silver] whilst still retaining ratings and playlists, etc, as well as provided clear explanations on how to get rid of the explanation marks!!!! no easy task for 120 GB of tunes]. In the interim, I have now deleted the last 70 GB  [along with the associated libraries] from my laptop[ Mac, OS X] to create much needed space.  Silver now contains all the mp3s and all the necessary libraries; I even added a copy of the application; seems to work better?  While connecting Silver directly to my Mac works great for playing tunes, I would like to have a subset of favorites, say 10GB  directly on the Mac, and preferably as already organized in about 50 playlists from Silver.

     

    As before, my understanding of the process is superficial at best; nevertheless, I did successfully create a new [empty] library on the mac, and was able to  'manually' export/import three playlists, individually [from Silver, onto a folder on my desktop, and then from there back into the new Mac library ....but no drag and drop, rather tedious menus and such? ...... Eventually, through many steps it seems, I was able to 'copy' over the associated mp3s.  [for the first two playlists I did this manually; and for the third one, well, magically, the mp3s were copied over [from Silver to mac] without ....hmmm...this is so beyond my comprehension I cannot be clear about what happened and how. [from the start, i did have both 'Keep' and 'Copy' selected. ]  I wish i could be more precise.  But I am certain you already know what's going on and how. 

     

    My question is akin to the original poster of wanting to circumvent the manual process and instead  batch import multiple playlists [with their associated mp3s] but without pulling over the whole 120GB of mp3s from Silver. I now better understand that the application was not really designed to do what I'm intending, and appreciate any tips. ps could i use an ipod to get the desired playlists/mp3s from Silver onto the ipod...then is it possible to get the iPod to 'populate' the Mac? My apologies for not knowing this lingo.  I hope I have been clear as to the goal here. Again many thanks for your patience and generosity.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 14, 2014 9:57 AM in response to Moisee
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 14, 2014 9:57 AM in response to Moisee

    The current version of iTunes should import all valid .m3u files stored with a set of folders that it is adding to the library, but that may not be the best approach.

     

    It sounds like you want a second library that is a subset of the original on Silver that is stored on your laptop. Assuming the main library is at //Silver/iTunes the simplest way to achieve the goal would be to copy the files:

    • iTunes Library.itl
    • iTunes Library Extras.itdb
    • iTunes Library Genius.itdb
    • sentinel

    and the folder:

    • Album Artwork

    into a new empty iTunes folder, e.g. located at <User's Music>/iTunes or the root of the internal drive.

     

    You would then option-start-iTunes to connect to this clone of the database, remove all of the playlists & content that you don't want in this alternate library, (without deleting any content obviously), then finally consolidate the library to a new media folder at ../iTunes/iTunes Media which then divorces this alternate library from the source copies held on the external drive.

     

    Importing multiple playlists the way you have things set up at the moment is likely to create duplicates.

     

    tt2

  • by Moisee,

    Moisee Moisee Aug 14, 2014 11:00 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 14, 2014 11:00 AM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks so much for your prompt response. and your patience.

     

    1. i do not understand paragraph 1.

    2. Yes, to re-clarify: the main library is on Silver; and the subset tiny library is meant to go on the Mac

         On Silver, I can see all  the files you list except for sentinel; I did a spotlight search and I could not find it.

         The list of items to copy gets placed where on the Mac? Should i have previously deleted from the Mac the iTunes folder, ie the one which envelopes all the other folders w iTunes in their names? User/Music/iTunes ?  Will copying your list of files copy just the databases [ie will not copy  content? reminder: Main library is 120 GB of content and I do not have 120 GB of space on Mac}

    3.  Assume that i DO want ALL the playlists [w their associated content] but i do not have space on Mac for the non-intended content.

    I understand 'option-start', but i am confused as to what means '....remove all of the playlists & content that you don't want .. without deleting content"

    I think i understand the distinction 'remove' vs 'delete'. And i think i understand 'consolidate the library' , but not sure about '..to a new media folder ...'

    At which stage of process is 'a new media folder' made? Do i pre-make that folder on the Mac before the copying step 2? Or does the program generate the requisite folder? 

    4. Yikes. I studied Silver; good thing i only did three playlists worth: sure enough, there are now duplicate folders on Silver, about 15 for the paltry few mp3s I 'imported' with just three playlists. Clearly I do not understand how this program works and do not understand its sense of directionality.  [so, am to understand that whilst 'consolidating' on the Mac, new folders were created on Silver? very distressing, this behind the scenes activity]   So, I am very grateful that you responded so promptly to prevent me from making even greater mess. Will deleting these duplicate folders from Silver cause some untoward effect? Also, seems it might be essential to delete them BEFORE step 2?

    5. will the ipod shuttle idea not work?

     

    Thanks again.

    I shall do nothing til I hear from you.

    No rush.

    At all.

  • by Moisee,

    Moisee Moisee Aug 14, 2014 11:24 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 14, 2014 11:24 AM in response to turingtest2

    Also, is there a way to estimate how many GB the desired playlists' content comprise? Or, if there are about 100 playlists, with an average of 30 to 60 tunes and a fair amount of overlap of content? as the iPod holds 5GB and seems to only hold about one fifth of my playlists. thanks.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 14, 2014 11:28 AM in response to Moisee
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 14, 2014 11:28 AM in response to Moisee

    Moisee wrote:

     

    Also, is there a way to estimate how many GB the desired playlists' content comprise? Or, if there are about 100 playlists, with an average of 30 to 60 tunes and a fair amount of overlap of content?  thanks.

     

    Easy question first.

     

    Gather all of the playlists (and/or playlist folders) of interest into a single playlist folder. The size of this folder is what you want for your mini library.

     

    A smart playlist with the rule Playlist is not <Mini Library Playlist> will contain all content that you want to leave out of the mini-library.

     

    tt2

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 14, 2014 11:45 AM in response to Moisee
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 14, 2014 11:45 AM in response to Moisee

    1. Creating lots of playlists using one library and importing them into another is, or should be, relatively easy, but is also likely to create duplicates if the settings in iTunes are not just right. When iTunes scans a set of folders it will import any media files or playlists that it comes across. For each playlist a new playlist is created and then for each track referenced in the playlist iTunes will add the file to iTunes if isn't already in the library at that path and then add the track to the library. Depending on the location of the track with respect to the media folder of the active library and the Copy option this may cause iTunes to generate a new file for this addition. If the same track has been referenced in multiple playlists then multiple copies of the file will be added to the library. The conclusion is that this is not a good way to go about the task of creating a subset of the library.

     

    2. Ignore sentinel, it is a hidden file which I believe is sometimes used by iTunes to detect if it crashed while updating the library files. It should cope without it and will make a copy if needed.

     

    3. You could copy over the library files, connect to that version of the library, assign a new media folder without consolidating then selectively consolidate the content that you want on the laptop. When the external is connected all of your media will be available. When you are away content on the external drive will have an exclamation mark ! and won't play.

     

    When you delete tracks from the library and those files are inside the currently designated media folder iTunes will offer to send the items to the recycle bin. For my original suggestion you would say no at this point to preserve the files for the other copy of the library to use. You're trying to delete the unwanted references rather than the source files. Leaving everything in the library but available/unavailable is probably a better bet.

     

    4. Reconnect to the Silver library. Double check you are not deleting anything that it is supposed to be connected to. Move the offending items first instead of deleting them, then get rid when you are certain there are no adverse effects.

     

    5. Recovering the content of the iPod shuttle into a new library should be possible, but again might be more work and not what you really want. See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for details of how it can be done. Making a clone of the existing database, cut down or not, ensures you will be able to update the device from either version of the library without unnecessary file transfers.

     

    tt2

  • by Moisee,

    Moisee Moisee Aug 14, 2014 12:21 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 14, 2014 12:21 PM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks so much for your detailed responses.

     

    I will study this all again later, when I am calmer. 

    My lack of calm interferes with really comprehending

    precisely what gets copied to where.

    and when.

    and with what settings.

    In my current state, I could easily make things worse than I already have.

    I should just quit while things are still fairly intact.

     

    But now  i understand why others have responded to this seemingly simply query with 'why do you want to do this crazy thing?' ...

    and those who come after will see  from your detailed instructions that it can be done,

    but it is  beyond 'plug and play' or 'drag and drop'

    and i suppose there are good reasons for why this is so complex.

     

    thanks again. maybe tomorrow.

    thanks very much , i really appreciate your time and patience.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 14, 2014 12:46 PM in response to Moisee
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 14, 2014 12:46 PM in response to Moisee

    You're welcome.

     

    Computers do exactly what we tell them to do, usually very quickly and precisely. This might not always be what we wanted, meant, expected, or should have asked for. A solid backup regime is always a good idea and should protect against the worst misunderstanding. Where possible try to safely test out the behaviour of any feature you're not certain you understand.

     

    tt2

  • by Moisee,

    Moisee Moisee Aug 26, 2014 9:53 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 26, 2014 9:53 AM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks again for your help. You are so right about computers. And my lack of comprehension!

     

    Despite having backups of Silver,

    i spent hours manually methodically restoring to pre-duplicates condition [did it manually, as i still do not have depth of understanding to avoid more disasters].

     

    I attempted small tests to create the subset library, but it's more complex than i can precisely manage right now.

    [a la '.... i would have written you a short letter, but didn't have the time....']

     

    When the next four foot snow storm hits and roads closed for days,

    I may again try to make subset library on laptop.

    In meantime, many thanks for showing me how to create workable EHD library;

    it works great and it's very nice to have access to all my stored music again.

    really appreciate your patience. thanks.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 26, 2014 9:58 AM in response to Moisee
    Level 10 (86,510 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 26, 2014 9:58 AM in response to Moisee

    You're welcome.

     

    As when the time comes just tack on to thread and I should pick it up, then we can go into some more detail.

     

    tt2

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