Why can't I change song order in iTunes playlist?

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Level 1

20 points

Why can't I change song order in iTunes playlist?

I like to be able to choose the order of songs in 'compilation' type playlists. I am using iTunes 12.5.4.42

As recently as a few months ago, I could just drag the songs to change the order in the playlist. Now they won't budge. I have tried clicking on 'Edit Playlist' - I can't drag songs into the playlist or drag them to change their position.

Also, to add songs, I can no longer drag them from another playlist, I have to click on 'add to playlist'. This means that once I pick my 'manual order' of songs, I am stuck with it and can't change it.

This is very annoying - why would they change this? 😠

Well, probably I'm doing something wrong, I just can't see it 😕... So please help!

Thanks!

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Jan 27, 2017 8:49 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 27, 2017 8:52 AM in response to isajbelle

These are regular playlists, not smart playlists?

These are playlists, not a "view" (something new in iTunes 12)?

You have selected manual sort order by clicking the top of the leftmost column?

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Answer 2

isajbelle Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 27, 2017 9:02 AM in response to Limnos

Hopefully this screenshot clarifies... This is what I am used to working with as a 'playlist' (not a smart playlist). I don't see an option to select 'manual order'. However when I click on 'edit playlist' I am given an option for 'manual order', which is in fact already checked.

The last time I made a playlist was in December 2016 and it looked exactly the same, however I could drag and drop songs and reposition them in any order I liked. Just today suddenly I can't move the songs...

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 3

isajbelle Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 30, 2017 2:18 AM in response to richard grant

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your reply. This did work - but strangely not until I had restarted my computer! Before that even in song view and 'manual order' I still could not drag to change song order.

But happily the restart has helped.

Best wishes,

Isabelle

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Answer 4

Jan 30, 2017 2:16 AM in response to isajbelle

Hi Isajbelle,

I don't know why iTunes has changed its behavior, but you can follow Limnos's suggestion to work around it. To do that, first look in the View menu and select View as... > Songs. This gives you a column view of your playlist, and you can now click on the top of the leftmost column.

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