Skip to main content
N
nicholas Harvey
Known Participant
April 14, 2025
Answered

Problems with search (again)

  • April 14, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 200 views

Hi,

 

I did a job last week am trying to sort out me archive and work on some pictures. I had someone editing for me and have about 10 folders of different pictures - from original raws to captioned jpegs and a folder that went to my picture library. I want to make sure I have all the pictures in my archive and don't lose any.

 

The folder of captioned jpgs is not in the library where I thought it was and I want to copy the metadata and captions across to the raws so they can be searched and found in the future. I searched for the file name of the first image (commandF, in the library filter at the top, clicked Text-Any searchable field - contains) , but the 'No photos match the filter' line comes up. The folder on my hard drive had 142 images in it, but the folder in lightroom said it had zero. When I tried to re-import the images LR said that the images were already in the library, but as the search didn't work, I don't know where. As a result, I can't caption the images.

 

(I had originally worked on the pictures in my pictures file on my laptop harddrive, then transfered them to my Raid archive drive and Updated Folder location - not sure if this changes anything)

 

I have never satisfactorily managed to sort out LR search... any good tips very welcome! 

 

Thanks, Nick

 

Mac M1 max macbook pro, memory 64gb 

Correct answer dj_paige

The folder of captioned jpgs is not in the library where I thought it was and I want to copy the metadata and captions across to the raws so they can be searched and found in the future. I searched for the file name of the first image (commandF, in the library filter at the top, clicked Text-Any searchable field - contains) , but the 'No photos match the filter' line comes up. The folder on my hard drive had 142 images in it, but the folder in lightroom said it had zero. When I tried to re-import the images LR said that the images were already in the library, but as the search didn't work, I don't know where. As a result, I can't caption the images.

 

This means you have already imported the photos into Lightroom Classic (or LrC, not LR as you said) but into a different folder than where you think they should be. This can happen if you accidentally choose to import using COPY when you really wanted to import using ADD. Then LrC only knows about the copies, not the originals. You can find the photos by following ALL FOUR of these steps in order. Let us know if you find the photos this way.

 

  1. Click on All Photographs in the LrC Library module, its on the left under Catalog
  2. Turn off all filters (Ctrl-L once or twice)
  3. Expand all stacks (Photo->Stacking->Expand All Stacks)
  4. In the LrC filter bar at the top, search for one of these photos by file name. 

 

 

Please in the future refer to Lightroom Classic as LrC. Do not refer to Lightroom Classic as LR or Lr.

2 replies

dj_paige
dj_paigeCorrect answer
Legend
April 22, 2025

The folder of captioned jpgs is not in the library where I thought it was and I want to copy the metadata and captions across to the raws so they can be searched and found in the future. I searched for the file name of the first image (commandF, in the library filter at the top, clicked Text-Any searchable field - contains) , but the 'No photos match the filter' line comes up. The folder on my hard drive had 142 images in it, but the folder in lightroom said it had zero. When I tried to re-import the images LR said that the images were already in the library, but as the search didn't work, I don't know where. As a result, I can't caption the images.

 

This means you have already imported the photos into Lightroom Classic (or LrC, not LR as you said) but into a different folder than where you think they should be. This can happen if you accidentally choose to import using COPY when you really wanted to import using ADD. Then LrC only knows about the copies, not the originals. You can find the photos by following ALL FOUR of these steps in order. Let us know if you find the photos this way.

 

  1. Click on All Photographs in the LrC Library module, its on the left under Catalog
  2. Turn off all filters (Ctrl-L once or twice)
  3. Expand all stacks (Photo->Stacking->Expand All Stacks)
  4. In the LrC filter bar at the top, search for one of these photos by file name. 

 

 

Please in the future refer to Lightroom Classic as LrC. Do not refer to Lightroom Classic as LR or Lr.

A
Community Manager
AlekeCommunity Manager
Community Manager
April 15, 2025

Hi @nicholas Harvey! Sorry to hear about the issues with the search function.

What version of Lightroom Classic are you using? Where are you searching for these files—in a specific folder, in a collection, or in the whole catalog? Could you try changing the search field to "caption" and see if that gives better results?

Thanks!

Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
N
nicholas HarveyAuthor
Known Participant
April 22, 2025

Hi Alek, Thanks for the suggestion. I use LR 14.2. I just tried putting a name of someone in which actually worked - the problem is that because I often have to use the finder then search in LR, I just don't have confidence in it. I love LR so its a bit of a shame.

Im probably doing something basic and will do some you tube seaching to hopefully find out what this might be Best, Nick

 

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