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Inspiring
Aug 2, 2011 2:36 AM UTC
Released

P: Text filtering problems with "Starts With"

I used to use the "Text" option in the Library Filter in Grid mode to select photographs that needed renaming. I used the "Filename" "Starts With" option. It used to filter only files whose file name started with the text that I put into the search box. Now it appears to find any file that has the text in the file name, not just at the beginning. It seems to be looking at the beginning of every word in the file name. I think I first noticed this when Version 3 came out, but it might have been before that.

15 replies

TMx
Participant
Sep 15, 2025 2:55 AM UTC

Using LRC 14.5.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.6.1 
When in the Library module, searching metadata using Text - Filename - Starts With still generates results in which the searched for string is anywhere in the Filename.
I note that the same issue exists when attempting a search using Title or Caption.
Is there any hope of this feature being made to function correctly?

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Community Manager
Sep 15, 2025 2:36 PM UTC

Hi @XrayTom, welcome to the community!

Just a quick heads-up: the thread you replied to is a bit older and has already been marked as resolved by the team. What you're seeing might be a different issue, so to make sure it gets the right attention, could you please start a new thread with the details?

Thanks a lot, and looking forward to seeing your post!

Alek

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*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
johnrellis
Legend
Apr 5, 2020 2:19 AM UTC
Different bug -- the original topic was about Filename. This bug is about Title.

Please reference the new conversation here: Lightroom: Filter and smart collection criteria Title Starts With and Title Ends ...
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cehilton
Participating Frequently
Apr 4, 2020 9:03 PM UTC
Sure. 
Title = "Deerpark Court Tomb with Lough Gill in background"
Filter = text Title Ends With "deerpark"
displays the photo even though title does not end with "deerpark"
same photo
Filter = text Title Starts With "background"
displays the photo even though title does not start with "background"

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johnrellis
Legend
Apr 4, 2020 8:45 PM UTC
Can you give a detailed example of what's not working?
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cehilton
Participating Frequently
Apr 4, 2020 8:27 PM UTC
I'm still having the problem: text "starts with" or "ends with" doesn't work.  It works more like "contains" for me.  Windows 10 1909, Lightroom Classic 9.2.
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johnrellis
Legend
Jul 8, 2019 8:47 PM UTC
This bug appears to have been sliently fixed in the past three years.  Tested on LR 8.3.1 / Mac OS 10.14.5.
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areohbee
Legend
Mar 3, 2016 6:49 PM UTC


if you search for photos whose filenames end with G, it'll match not only JPG and JPEG extensions, but also

PLUG,DRAIN.TIF

since commas are treated as separator instead of data.

I'm used to spaces being treated as separators, but comma too?

If not a handling option, at least some documentation or something..

R
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Inspiring
Mar 3, 2016 6:49 PM UTC


LR 4.4 RC1 Still has starts with bug. When creating a smart collection for example if you filter on filename starts with 20 for example it selects any filename that starts with 20 in position 1 and 2 which would be correct but also includes any file that contains anywhere a space followed by 20. It is like starts with means any word (words separated by spaces) starts with. I have 56 files that start with 20 and 6000 plus more that have a date after the first position that begins "space" 20. The file 2012-10-01-Sunny.jpg should be selected but Sunny 2012-10-01.jpg should not. This forum documents this bug back to LR3 and acknowledges a bug tracker.
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Participant
Mar 3, 2016 6:48 PM UTC


I believe I have discovered a bug in Adode Photoshop Lightroom 5. When I am using the Search function in the Library Module and I choose "Filename" and "Starts With," Lightroom treats it as a "contains" search instead. The attached file shows I was searching for "RR13 Kropp" (with a space between). But some of the thumbnails shown are for files called "RR13 Bill Keith Kropp..." Seems like Lightroom should have not shown the Bill Keith files when "Starts With" is chosen.
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Inspiring
Mar 3, 2016 5:58 PM UTC
I'm still seeing the exact same issue in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC, the 2016 version. In other words, this problem continues to exist five years after it was first reported and confirmed by Adobe staff. Isn't it about time action was taken?
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