Import a directory and subdirectory structure that doesn't have images yet

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
July 5, 2023
2 replies
1024 views

I am looking for a way to import a directory structure that has layers of subdirectories into lightroom classic. I am using Lightroom on windows for this project and the customer has a directory structure already layed out for me to use and I just want that structure to get imported and then I can sort pictures into those directories and subdirectories.

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JohanElzenga

Community Expert

It should be possible to do this, although I am not sure I would want to do this... I have to say this from memory, because I type this on my iPad. If you click on the plus icon in the upper right corner of the folder panel, you can choose 'Add Folder' if I am not mistaken. This will open a dialog that you can use to select an existing folder and add it to Lightroom, or create a new folder and add it to Lightroom. This also adds an empty folder. Add the lowest subfolder and the hierarchy directly above it will be added too.

-- Johan W. Elzenga

Conrad_C

Community Expert

I just tried this, and it does work as described. I was able to import a hierarchy of folders that were empty. I wasn’t aware of Add Folder before, but there were times in the past when I wanted to do something like that.

JohanElzenga

Community Expert

Yes, it's great if you want to move folders to a new drive by using drag & drop, but the new drive does not have any catalogued images on it and so it doesn't show in Lightroom at all. The advice that is often given is to place a temporary image on that drive and import it, but you don't have to do that. Simply add a parent folder and start dragging and dropping.

-- Johan W. Elzenga

Per Berntsen

Community Expert

The simplest way to do this is to first create the folder structure on your hard drive.

Then put the images in the correct folders.

When you import, use the Add option in the import dialog, and the folder structure will be reflected in Lightroom.

It is not possible to import empty folders, and only folders that contain imported images will show in the LrC folder panel.

dj_paige

Legend

The simplest way to do this is to first create the folder structure on your hard drive.
Then put the images in the correct folders.

One question not clear to me from the description from @mattvred : is the customer providing just the folder structure, or is the customer providing images already in that folder structure? If they are providing images that are already in that folder structure, then its a lot simpler, just import the entire mass of photos using ADD.

In the case where you are just provided a folder structure, and it is your job to put photos into that folder structure, while I think @Per Berntsen is right about this being how to do it, I don't think it is at all simple, and it still sounds difficult and tedious to me (and don't make a mistake!).

By the way, the idea of using LrC to create a specified folder structure makes me crazy. I am not you, @mattvred , nor am I criticizing you, but if such a job were presented to me I would run away from this job like it was the plague. Is it at all possible (probably not, but nevertheless I ask) that some other form of organization would make your client equally happy?

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