User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

How to export part of a library?

Hi,

I've got a Mac with a 60GB library of music and about 300 playlists.
I want to copy part of this library to a laptop (with a smaller HD).

I want to copy about 150 playlists so I can import these on the other computer while keeping my playlists, copying the music files and keeping all other information like ratings etc... (I don't need no syncing, just a one time copy).

- I can export/import every playlist seperately but this is quite a task with 150 playlists
- I can export my entire library which keeps all my playlists, but then I have to manually remove all the music that I don't want. And I will have to deal with the extra problem that I'm not able to copy all 60GB in the first place.

I looked at http://www.dougscripts.com/ already but couldn't find anything suitable.

Any ideas?
Thanks!

Posted on Oct 17, 2005 2:15 AM

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9 replies
User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Sep 3, 2018 1:06 PM in response to TP2GO

I think I've found an easy one, but you need some hard drive space:

(let's assume you haven't got anything else in your iTunes folder than iTunes files)
- make a copy of your entire iTunes folder (so music files + iTunes file + xml file)
- open iTunes
- option + click delete on the playlists you don't want to copy to the other computer. This will delete the playlists as well as the music files.
- quit iTunes and copy the music files folder + xml file to the new computer. Now you can import this xml file including all playlists
- replace your copy of the iTunes folder with the actual one and you're back where you left off.
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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Sep 3, 2018 1:06 PM in response to TP2GO

Hi TP,

If this is the case, I wouldn't be able to import the songs on the other computer because you can't import the "real" iTunes library file, only xml. I will only be able to replace the entire Library. It also makes the whole import/export function of iTunes useless.

But I think (hope) you're wrong. The xml file does contain the info you mention. I used the import/export function once to combine two libraries into one library and I kept all my ratings etc...

Just to be sure I imported 1 mp3 file and took a look at the xml file:

<key>Track ID</key><integer>119</integer>
<key>Name</key><string>Track 4</string>
<key>Artist</key><string>Unknown</string>
<key>Album</key><string>Untitled - 09-14-03</string>
<key>Genre</key><string>Unknown</string>
<key>Kind</key><string>MPEG-audiobestand</string>
<key>Size</key><integer>121586</integer>
<key>Total Time</key><integer>14158</integer>
<key>Track Number</key><integer>4</integer>
<key>Date Modified</key><date>2003-10-12T10:52:45Z</date>
<key>Date Added</key><date>2005-10-21T13:41:22Z</date>
<key>Bit Rate</key><integer>64</integer>
<key>Sample Rate</key><integer>22050</integer>
<key>Rating</key><integer>80</integer>
<key>Season</key><integer>0</integer>
<key>Persistent ID</key><string>A40B20C30B17C545</string>
<key>Track Type</key><string>File</string>
<key>File Type</key><integer>1061109567</integer>
<key>File Creator</key><integer>1061109567</integer>
<key>Location</key><string> file://localhost/Users/artoos/Music/iTunes/iTunes%20Music/Unknown/Untitled%20-%2 009-14-03/04%20Track%204.mp3</string>
<key>File Folder Count</key><integer>4</integer>
<key>Library Folder Count</key><integer>1</integer>

Rating (I suppose 20-40-60-80-100 are the equivalent of the stars, I gave the song 4 stars) and all other stuff is included.

Tell me if I'm talking rubbish!
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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Sep 3, 2018 1:06 PM in response to TP2GO

Sorry, by "importing" I meant importing just the xml file, not the actual mp3 files.

The "other method" you are describing is indeed the way I'm doing it right now. My difficulty was: how do I get the mp3 files (only from the playlists I want to export) out of my iTunes folder?

That's why I made a copy of my 60GB music folder, deleting the playlists I don't want (including mp3 files), and then copying xml file and mp3 files to the other computer. Over there I will import the xml file. And over here I will put my copy back into place.

My remaining guess: when I will import the xml file, I suppose iTunes will ask where the corresponding mp3 files are. (?) Or maybe I just have to put the xml file and mp3 folder in the same folder so it will find it automatically? I want iTunes to copy all mp3's to the iTunes folder because I want to keep my music folder organised by iTunes.
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User profile for user: TP2GO
TP2GO
User level: Level 6
12,605 points

Oct 21, 2005 5:12 AM in response to Community User

Jef hello,

You certainly need some hard disk space to do it this way but you may not get what you require....

The xml file holds some but not all of the same info as the Library file itself... it is not used by iTunes, although it is maintained by it ... it's purpose it to make your iTunes music files available to other iLife programs like iMove etc.

When you import the xml file to the library file on the other computer you will have lost all ratings, play counts, date added data etc.... copy the iTunes Library file instead of the xml file will remedy this situation.... note that both must be running the same version of iTunes.

take care Jef ... TP
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User profile for user: TP2GO
TP2GO
User level: Level 6
12,605 points

Oct 21, 2005 8:47 AM in response to Community User

But I think (hope) you're wrong. The xml file does contain the info you mention.

Hi Jef, I'm not wrong ... The iTunes Library files, what are they used for ?

There is no need to import the songs on the other computer as when you import (rip) tracks they are encoded and as the tracks you are talking about have already been encoded you do not have to import again, only add to the other library file... if it is an empty file it is easier to copy the other edited file and use that.

Another method that will work in with your thinking is, do your deletion of songs and playlists and then export that Libray file in xml format, save it and import into the other computer's iTunes Library file...
NOTE this is a different file to the iTunes Music library.xml file which as explained in KB doc. does not have all the info.

The methods in the other links I pointed you too work very well with no loss of data and have been well tested and proven.

you are not talking rubbish just a little misunderstanding of how it works 🙂

take care Jef ... TP
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User profile for user: TP2GO
TP2GO
User level: Level 6
12,605 points

Oct 22, 2005 9:05 AM in response to Community User

Jef hello,

I'll run through the delete rules that apply in the above situation

1. To delete from library only ... use delete key and answer no to question re-move to trash ... or yes if you want files removed from library and data files trashed (note they are still in trash until you empty it so any mistakes can saved by dragging from trash and adding to library again) Important Note If the files you are deleting are not stored in the current pref. location the delete or clear function will only remove them from the Library file and the actual data files will need to be removed by hand using the Finder Checking the location before deleting and setting it appropriately will remedy.

2. To delete files from Playlist or playlist + files use Option key/Delete key together after selecting... the above rule applies... files in the current location will be removed and trashed... all others will need trashing by hand etc.

3. To delete playlist and/or files from playlist but not trash them... select and hit delete key.

A very easy editing technique is, check pref. are set NOT to copy any files and drag one at a time any folders with data files inside to the playlist source area and iTunes will make a new playlist of what is in the folder.... setting the 'Location' to any of these folders will allow you to delete from playlist and trash the data files in the folder... (I keep the edited playlists, labelled Home Music folder and Ext HD Music folder as my visual record of where everything is)
This same technique can be used to force iTunes to reorganize the currently selected location Music folder.

HTH jef. let's know how you get on ... TP
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How to export part of a library?

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