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pupukea
pupukea
Participant
May 3, 2026
Answered

Catalogs don't exist in Lightroom 9.3?

  • May 3, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 37 views

I don’t see a way to create catalogs in lightroom.  I’m using version 9.3.  I’m told it’s in File/New.  It’s simply  not there!  Has Adobe taken this out completely?   I’m able to create albums and folders, and import into them. but I don’t see any reference to the word ‘catalog’ anywhere.

Correct answer gary_sc

Hi, ​@pupukea, this gets into the primary differences between LR Desktop and LR Classic. The former holds all of the images in the clouds, while the latter holds all of the images on your computer (or attached drives). The “Catalog” keeps track of all of the images for Classic, while there is no “Catalog” for any of the Lightroom Desktop, Mobile, or Web. 

The LR D, M, & W, link into your Adobe account to manage your files; that is your Account/Catalog. The only way you could have an extra Account/Catalog is to have a separate Adobe Account.

Nonetheless, you can organize your LR D, M, &W images via the Albums options in the left-hand column. Within the Albums Panel, you can have folders or Albums. For the differences, and which you might choose to use, see the Lightroom Queen’s explanation here.

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/threads/folders-or-albums.45491/

 

Good luck!

1 reply

gary_sc
Community Expert
gary_scCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 3, 2026

Hi, ​@pupukea, this gets into the primary differences between LR Desktop and LR Classic. The former holds all of the images in the clouds, while the latter holds all of the images on your computer (or attached drives). The “Catalog” keeps track of all of the images for Classic, while there is no “Catalog” for any of the Lightroom Desktop, Mobile, or Web. 

The LR D, M, & W, link into your Adobe account to manage your files; that is your Account/Catalog. The only way you could have an extra Account/Catalog is to have a separate Adobe Account.

Nonetheless, you can organize your LR D, M, &W images via the Albums options in the left-hand column. Within the Albums Panel, you can have folders or Albums. For the differences, and which you might choose to use, see the Lightroom Queen’s explanation here.

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/threads/folders-or-albums.45491/

 

Good luck!

    pupukea
    pupukeaAuthor
    Participant
    May 3, 2026

    Gary, thanks.  I take it then that Collections is no longer apropos either.  I don’t see reference to collections anywhere in the menuing system.

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