How can I put photos into iPhoto without losing the titles?

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Level 1

14 points

How can I put photos into iPhoto without losing the titles?

I retitled photos in iPhoto on my laptop, then moved the photos from iPhoto onto a USB stick (the new titles were retained), put the USB into my main computer and added the photos to iPhoto. The photos lost the new titles and reverted to all the old titles. If I do a "Get Info" on a photo, it shows the title I put in under "name & extension" and the original title under "title." I have done this before successfully from the main computer to USB stick and back to the main computer iPhoto and the new titles stuck, but this is not happening with this batch. So if I look at a jpg on my desktop labeled "wife and house," it shows up in iPhoto as "aab." I tried moving photos to my documents folder and my desktop before putting them into iPhoto, but it didn't help. What can I do besides start the re-titling process from scratch? I am using iPhoto '09, 8.1.2. Is the re-titling of photos easier in iPhoto '11? Thanks.

iMac

Posted on Dec 3, 2011 2:45 AM

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Answer 1

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,098 points

Dec 3, 2011 3:20 AM in response to Eickeloh

You're confusing Filenames and Titles.

It would appear that you're renaming the files, not titling the photos. Brief explanation: The Finder deals with files. iPhoto deals with Photos. Renaming the file does not change the Title of the photo. The title is an entry in the Exif metadata of the photo. This is what Photo Apps work with.

If I do a "Get Info" on a photo, it shows the title I put in under "name & extension" and the original title under "title."

In the case cited: Name and Extenrsion are the Filename - what the Finder sees. The Title is what iPhoto looks for.

Solution: Use iPhoto or any photo app to Title the Photos. If you're moving them from iPhoto on one machine when you export, be sure to tick the box at 'Titles and Descriptions'. That way when you import to the other iPhoto you'll get your title.

Regards

TD

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