Level 1

62 points

Add multiple keywords to single photo without having to re-focus the cursor

I use keywords a lot, but since updating to Catalina, I seem to be having an issue adding multiple keywords to a single photo that I don't think was there before the update. Whenever I enter a keyword, the curser disappears from the Add Keyword field, and I then need to use the trackpad to refocus it back to that field. This gets very annoying if I'm trying to add 5 or so keywords to potentially hundreds of photos. Is this a new bug, or have I just not noticed it before. Is there a keyboard short cut that will take me straight to the Add Keyword field so I don't have to bother with the trackpad?

iMac 27", macOS 10.13

Posted on Nov 5, 2019 8:24 PM

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xcielo

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Dec 29, 2019 6:47 AM

I have the very same problem and I come up with a fix ... a temporary one, at least until Apple will "improve" Photos. I wonder: Do they have photographers in the think tank? Anyway. Since the problem regards the necessity to - click the cursor back in place - let's assign the cursor to a keyboard's key. Go to System Preferences / Accessibility / Pointer Control / Alternative Control Methods. Then check Enable Alternative Pointer Actions, click on Options, click on the Plus sign and set your personal Alternative pointer action as Left Click. As you will see, some keys are not feasible for the task; I set my Alternative on the Enter key. At this point the Enter key (or the one you chose) functions as a mouse Left click ... which means that when you're done keywording you might want to go back to System Preferences and uncheck Enable Alternative Pointer Actions. Hope this help.

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23 replies

Pr N

Level 1

12 points

Jan 28, 2020 12:37 PM in response to Dr Getafix

I'm relieved to discover that this keyword/cursor issue isn't one I've caused myself nor is it an issue with my mouse! I second the multiple motions to GET THIS FIXED, please! And if someone has a quick and easy solution, please let me know! N

Nov 6, 2019 2:57 PM in response to Dr Getafix

Ditto.

Normally I can add multiple keywords, but now the cursor disappears after entering and I have to click in the keyword field to continue adding, over and over.

Old Toad

Level 10

215,376 points

Nov 22, 2019 11:33 AM in response to GeezerFella

Have you tried the Keyword pane as I described earlier?

léonie

Level 10

200,537 points

Nov 22, 2019 11:46 AM in response to léonie

After adding one keyword the Info panel is frequently completely dead for me. Then I even cannot edit the title or the description.

Nov 22, 2019 2:47 PM in response to léonie

Exactly my experience. Exactly.

léonie

Level 10

200,537 points

Nov 22, 2019 10:24 AM in response to BrianfromStamford

Then it may be iCloud Photos. My library is not as large as yours, only 55000 photos and videos.

Also, titles do not show in Catalina and I don't like the way my photos are sorted and displayed any more.

Did you already update to macOS 10.15.1? It is bringing the titles back to the All Photos view. You can see the titles below the thumbnails in all albums your create yourself and all predefined albums. But you have to enable them in "View > Metadata > Titles". To see them in All Photos you have to Click the tiny display icon to the right of the traffic light in the toolbar to see the thumbnails in the correct aspect ratio and not tiled as squares. Then the titles can be displayed as well.

Dr Getafix Author

Level 1

62 points

Dec 6, 2019 6:36 PM in response to Dr Getafix

If you’re having troubles, make sure you let Apple know. Here is the link to their feedback portal: https://www.apple.com/feedback/photos.html

I gather they are more likely to take notice of that as opposed to these forums.

ghozx

Level 1

8 points

Jan 25, 2020 2:28 PM in response to Dr Getafix

I fixed this issue by doing a NVRAM reset: restart your mac and press option-command-p-r until you hear the chime twice. Let go of the keys. I was losing focus on keywords, location, title and description... even as I typed.

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Add multiple keywords to single photo without having to re-focus the cursor