Using folders to sort iTunes by location of files
I recently got an iTunes Shuffle and like it. I like iTunes but am extremely disappointed with a few glaring problems with it.
1. There is no way to set up a sort or playlist based on location;
2. Any other sort or criteria for a playlist mixes music without regard to catagory from previous software systems;
3. There is no way to delete a song, folder, playlist, etc. once it's created and/or added to the library or even a playlist.
After searching the forums, help files, and WWW to find nothing helpful I figured out my own way to do these but it involves setting up things a little differently - non-documented use. Someone else may find this helpful. That's the reason for this posting.
Once iTunes is installed there are two files called "iTunes Library.itl" and "iTunes Music Library.xml" in a folder called "iTunes". This folder will probably be in your MyDocuments folder in a subfolder called MyMusic. You'll have to find it. These two files are the library. iTunes will run fine without them but there will be no library if they are gone. That's the key.
If you are reluctant, do a back up of your library by selecting the top menu "File" and selecting "Export Library". Next you are going to have to delete everything and start all over again, but it will be quick and much better when you're done.
I have my music grouped based on folder name - type of music, artist, album, etc. For instance, one folder is named Upbeat Classical but has about 400 different files from different artists, genres, type of music, etc. Even though it says classical, any tune that sounds classical (often New Age, Instrumental, even Techno) and has an active tempo to it is included. This will allow anyone to now use iTunes to group based on those folders (or any other grouping of your choice).
1.) Start iTunes and see what is in your library. You want it to be blank. If not, close iTunes. Find the two files named above and delete them. Now start iTunes again and look at the library to make sure it's empty.
2.) Go the the top menu "File" and select "Add Folder to Library". Find the folder you want and select it. This will load ONLY that folder into the library.
3.) Go to the top menu "Edit" and select "Select All". Now all the songs in that folder are highlighted.
4.) Go to the top menu "File" or right mouse click on the highlighted selections and select "Get Info". At this point you may get a warning that what you do will affect multiple files. That's what you want to do so pass it by.
5.) Once in the "Multiple Song Information" sub-window, use the Grouping bar and write in the name you want to use. Since I use folder names I do it this way - \Folder Name\ and press the OK button.
6.) To check, right mouse click on the top bar showing the titles of each column. click on Groupings so it has a check mark in front of it and you will see a new column called Grouping. They should all have the same entry now.
Here's the important key. These changes remain even when you delete the library.
Now that you have your first folder done, go back and delete the two files at the beginning again. Do this same process again for the next folder. Continue to delete the library and start with the next folder until all your folder are done. At this point all the files have their folder name in the Groupings information slot and you can now import all the folders you want and mix, match, create playlists, etc. based on location or what ever other category you set your groupings up as.
Unfortunately, this doesn't address deleting a song once it's in the library, but that's a different problem.
I hope this helps some of you.
Dr. Ken Rich
IBM Windows 2000
1. There is no way to set up a sort or playlist based on location;
2. Any other sort or criteria for a playlist mixes music without regard to catagory from previous software systems;
3. There is no way to delete a song, folder, playlist, etc. once it's created and/or added to the library or even a playlist.
After searching the forums, help files, and WWW to find nothing helpful I figured out my own way to do these but it involves setting up things a little differently - non-documented use. Someone else may find this helpful. That's the reason for this posting.
Once iTunes is installed there are two files called "iTunes Library.itl" and "iTunes Music Library.xml" in a folder called "iTunes". This folder will probably be in your MyDocuments folder in a subfolder called MyMusic. You'll have to find it. These two files are the library. iTunes will run fine without them but there will be no library if they are gone. That's the key.
If you are reluctant, do a back up of your library by selecting the top menu "File" and selecting "Export Library". Next you are going to have to delete everything and start all over again, but it will be quick and much better when you're done.
I have my music grouped based on folder name - type of music, artist, album, etc. For instance, one folder is named Upbeat Classical but has about 400 different files from different artists, genres, type of music, etc. Even though it says classical, any tune that sounds classical (often New Age, Instrumental, even Techno) and has an active tempo to it is included. This will allow anyone to now use iTunes to group based on those folders (or any other grouping of your choice).
1.) Start iTunes and see what is in your library. You want it to be blank. If not, close iTunes. Find the two files named above and delete them. Now start iTunes again and look at the library to make sure it's empty.
2.) Go the the top menu "File" and select "Add Folder to Library". Find the folder you want and select it. This will load ONLY that folder into the library.
3.) Go to the top menu "Edit" and select "Select All". Now all the songs in that folder are highlighted.
4.) Go to the top menu "File" or right mouse click on the highlighted selections and select "Get Info". At this point you may get a warning that what you do will affect multiple files. That's what you want to do so pass it by.
5.) Once in the "Multiple Song Information" sub-window, use the Grouping bar and write in the name you want to use. Since I use folder names I do it this way - \Folder Name\ and press the OK button.
6.) To check, right mouse click on the top bar showing the titles of each column. click on Groupings so it has a check mark in front of it and you will see a new column called Grouping. They should all have the same entry now.
Here's the important key. These changes remain even when you delete the library.
Now that you have your first folder done, go back and delete the two files at the beginning again. Do this same process again for the next folder. Continue to delete the library and start with the next folder until all your folder are done. At this point all the files have their folder name in the Groupings information slot and you can now import all the folders you want and mix, match, create playlists, etc. based on location or what ever other category you set your groupings up as.
Unfortunately, this doesn't address deleting a song once it's in the library, but that's a different problem.
I hope this helps some of you.
Dr. Ken Rich
IBM Windows 2000
IBM, Windows 2000