How do I import multiple playlists into iTunes?

File > Add Folder to Library adds media files and any playlists (m3u format anyway, I'd have to check if it also pulls in xml playlists). These will work provided the files are where the playlist says they should be. It becomes more complicated if the files have been moved from one computer to another, or are/were rearranged when added to iTunes.

it shouldn't need a script unless there needs to be some additional work, such as converting WMA files, or fixing broken paths.

What format are the lists in?

WIll they import one at time as they are, or do they need some editing before they will add the correct files into the created playlists?

I'd also echo earlier sentiments that you don't need playlists to represent albums, genres, artists, composers, etc. iTunes can give you these directly.

tt2

I opened this thread in the hope that someone could actually tell me a way to import multiple songs at once. I am still waiting for the answer!

Instead we got the “you must use software in a certain way” brigade!

I still use playlists for each album, it makes writing them to cd and playing them easier for the way I choose to use itunes. One of the most annoying things about the multiple updates of itunes is the interface changes that try to force you to use the software in certain ways as if there is a recommended way. Apple have moved from being an enabling company to adopting the philosophy of Microsoft and restricting users actions (partly to try to force the itunes store down our throats).

The two most annoying changes to the interface have been hiding the repeat action in a menu and not allowing multiple selection of songs to import. Whatever your recipe for using itunes, interface changes are annoying as they force cognitive load to learn new procedures.

gmd12 wrote:

I opened this thread in the hope that someone could actually tell me a way to import multiple songs at once.

Enable the menu bar with Ctrl+B if needed, then use File > Add Folder to Library.

Or drag and drop a folder onto the library.

Let them know what you think at iTunes Feedback.

tt2

The caveat to this is you have to have all the music already, otherwise iTunes imports the playlists, and only lists what music you already have in your library that matches. The simplest case for me:

All music on file server.

Itunes xx and yy points to file server

Wife makes playlist on her iTunes xx

Wife exports playlist on her iTunes xx

I import to my iTunes yy

Result: Missing tracks ---even though the playlist is pointing to the correct music, since it all is listed on the file server. But since the music wasn't imported to itunes first. It fails.

Even better. I've had some data corruption so my file server is missing some music. I have all 100 playlists of music that I WANT in iTunes, but if i import them, iTunes doesn't have the music, file server doesn't have the music.

Result: all playlists imported, no list of what tracks are missing from iTunes, playlists are incomplete with no log of what was attempted by iTunes

Even worse, what if the file location of certain music has changed for whatever reason. I import a playlist , it's missing tracks. Ok, let me write a script to figure out what tracks it's missing. Ok cool now I know what's missing from the file server. However, if iTunes had duplicates, playlist doesn't import correctly, but iTunes does have some of the tracks that are missing. Now I still have to go through each playlist, verify the tracks that are missing from the playlist, are truely not in itunes as a duplicate somewhere else.

I could use a nifty script to wipe duplicates and just ignore the check in itunes since that won't help with a playlist import, but now, what happens to the playlists? Do scripts that wipe dupes from itunes break playlists.

I really really hate itunes. I tried match. I tried match when my library actually worked. Match is probably why all my play lists are trasked and my libary is a mess. Match only matched part of my music. Result: Playlist that wouldn't play correctly

I don't use iTunes Match, and I doubt I will be using iCloud Music Library either. Apple don't seem to be able to leave tags alone, and I have invested time in setting out my tags the way that I want them for best results in iTunes and on Apple hardware.

Importing a playlist should import any tracks that are not already in the library, provided they exist at the listed paths so I'm not quite sure why that bit hasn't worked for you. That said I haven't double-checked the behaviour with the current build, and I suppose it might depend on which format of playlist you create.

I wrote a script called ImportM3U a while back which is really intended for use with non-iTunes generated playlists as these may not include the full path.

My own DeDuper script merges ratings, play counts and playlist membership, but these are clearly things that can be overlooked.

tt2

You sir, may have saved me a ton of trouble. You win!

Wait. VB? windows only.. Darn. Cry

Thanks+

I would be forever grateful if you could extend this to include folders. 🙂

I would be forever grateful if you could extend this to include folders. 🙂🙂

I've got a lot on my plate over the next few days, but if you give me a nudge after the weekend I'll look into it.

tt2