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FeedbackCommunityMember
Inspiring
August 2, 2011

P: Text filtering problems with "Starts With"

  • August 2, 2011
  • 14 replies
  • 1106 views

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.

    14 replies

    TMx
    TMx
    Participant
    September 15, 2025

    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?

    A
    Community Manager
    AlekeCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 15, 2025

    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

    *(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    April 5, 2020
    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 ...
    cehilton
    cehilton
    Participating Frequently
    April 4, 2020
    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"

    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    April 4, 2020
    Can you give a detailed example of what's not working?
    cehilton
    cehilton
    Participating Frequently
    April 4, 2020
    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.
    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    July 8, 2019
    This bug appears to have been sliently fixed in the past three years.  Tested on LR 8.3.1 / Mac OS 10.14.5.
    areohbee
    areohbee
    Legend
    March 3, 2016


    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
    F
    FeedbackCommunityMemberAuthor
    Inspiring
    March 3, 2016


    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.
    F
    FrustratedSteve
    Participant
    March 3, 2016


    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.
    F
    FeedbackCommunityMemberAuthor
    Inspiring
    March 3, 2016
    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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