Skip to main content
A
Anonymous
August 4, 2012
Question

How to move files from one folder to another?

  • August 4, 2012
  • 3 replies
  • 33100 views

I created multiple folders under "My Lightroom Pictures." I created two separate folders titled "Herons and Egrets" (one folder misspelled "Heerons") and would like to move the single photo in one folder to the other. How do I do it?

      This topic has been closed for replies.

      3 replies

      A
      allrndmrniceguy
      Participant
      February 18, 2015

      Hi guys,

      I've got to admit I'm struggling to like Light Room.  What I really need to be able to do is highlight multiple images in one folder, and either be able to copy and paste them to a new folder or option drag them to copy a selection of shots to a new folder.  Anyone seen a good tutorial on how to get around LR's obvious bugs in this regard and make it happen?

      Cheers for any advice...

      ManiacJoe
      ManiacJoe
      Inspiring
      February 18, 2015

      You should be able to do exactly that with no trouble, as long as we are talking about moving the image and not about making copies of the files..  The trick to selecting the image(s) is that you need to click on the picture and not on the gray frame around it.

      Select all that you want, then drag and drop to the destination folder in the Folder pane.

      If you are wanting to make "copies" so that you can do alternate processing, take a look at the "virtual copy" functionality.

        A
        allrndmrniceguy
        Participant
        February 18, 2015

        Thanks for the heads up on the 'virtual copy' set up.  Unfortunately even that comes back with an error message:  'only master files can be moved to another folder, not virtual copies'...  I don't know whey this program has such a hang up on multiple copies of the same image... I'm sure I've unchecked all the boxes that prevent importing suspected duplicates etc...  If I can't move multiple copied images to different folders then I'm afraid I gotta go for a different program.  Anyone have any ideas on really user interface photo management software?

        Jim Wilde
        Community Expert
        Jim WildeCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 4, 2012

        Wouldn't it have been easier just to rename the mis-spelled folder? You can do this in the Folders Panel by simply right-clicking on the folder and choosing "Rename".

        Answering your last question, "Copy and Paste" is not an option within Lightroom, you would have to use "Drag and Drop".

        Any empty folder can be removed from the Folders Panel by right-clicking and select "Remove".....if the folder is totally empty it will be moved to the Trash, if there are still files within it that hadn't been imported into Lightroom, then it will remain on the drive and removed only from the Lightroom Folders Panel.

        A
        Anonymous
        August 4, 2012

        Thanks avibodha and Jim. Since I am not using Windows (I am using Mac OSX) things look a little different on my screen. I really like the Windows folder structure which I am used to on my laptop, but the Mac OSX does not show it the same way on my desktop. I had no problem with drag and drop on Windows but LR3 is installed on my Mac. I have no problem renaming folders, or sending them to Trash, which I did with only one photo file in it.

        So, if either of you are using a Mac I would appreciate a little hand holding here to walk me through. But I will keep researching my Mac's possibilities.

        Your responses much appreciated.

        A
        avibodha
        Participant
        August 4, 2012

        Click on the folder to move from, select the photo in grid view, then drag it to the folder it belongs in. You'll get a dialog asking if you want to move it on the HD. Say yes.

        A
        Anonymous
        August 4, 2012

        Thanks. My screen looks a little different from that in Scott Kelby's book. Can I Copy and Paste from one folder to another? And after having done that, can I  then move the empty folder to Trash?

        A
        avibodha
        Participant
        August 4, 2012

        I'm using LR 4.1 and I don't see Cut/paste anywhere so I'm guessing not, just drag/drop to another folder. After you empty the folder you can right-click (windows) and do Remove.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices