Exporting List, Metadata, Keywords to CSV, Excel, Etc

[patrickc22898988]

Hi,

I am using the latest version of Bridge (CC) and would like to export a list of selected files, including Keywords, Rating, and File Location if possible.

In a previous version of Bridge, I had used a script to do this. However, since then it seems that this functionality has been discontinued. Is there any way to do what I want in this "Professional" software that we are paying so much for? 

[Lumigraphics · Accepted solution]

Adobe has never offered this. However, there are scripts, including my Folder List Export script, which have this functionality.

Adobe Scripts?

[patrickc22898988]

Thanks a lot Lumigraphics. Great set of tools.
I wish Adobe would integrate stuff like this into the standard functionality of their apps.

[Lumigraphics]

I've asked them to but no progress.

[Matthew Pope]

Hi Lumigraphics, I also would like to use the My Folder List in Bridge to be able to export metadata from multiple images into an excel, csv or text file. I could not see My Folder List in the 'Bridge' folder in Dropbox though.

Some context too, I  use MediaPro (now owned by Phase One) - which incidentally no longer is supported by Phase One - to edit images adding colour tags and ratings to images and then renaming the filenames of the ones selected and also exporting the iptc metadata for them all in one batch process into a text file which I can the open in excel for editing. MediaPro has been brilliant over the years for all this functionality including working stright off the local filder of images without having to do import images first. But I am now having to look at alternatives. Bridge might be one such solution if I can use a script to export metadata.

[Lumigraphics]

Download the Utility Script Pack. That is an integrated set of tools for Bridge. Folder List Export is included, but not posted as a stand-alone script. The stand alone scripts are demos and stuff that's less likely to have wide appeal.

[Matthew Pope]

Thank you, I have downloaded it and will try it out.

[delighter]

Hi Lumigraphics. I am somewhat familiar with using Adobe Bridge after using it intensively last winter to add metadata to video files. Have not used it since then so have forgotten what little I knew at the time. I have just culled and archived the best video subclips and photos from several documentary trips in the last nine months and have those files in folders. I now need to provide identifying information for my use but also for the Iowa State University Special Collections Department. The department may be able to provide some mentoring, but I may also be on my own--which I find often is the case in terms of coming up with solutions for digital archiving. I would love to be able to use Bridge to select a folder, have the files show up in Bridge, then batch export the list to a database such as MicroSoft Access or at least to Excel unless you have recommendations for better other software. Please advise. It would be great if there was a YouTube video on how to do this. Or at least a thorough list of instructions from opening Bridge to importing the file information to exporting it. And I hope you or others on this listserv could help. I am a septuagenarian, independent non-professional documentarian. So use user-friendly language. Many thanks.

[Lumigraphics]

Bridge doesn't have this capability built in.

I wrote a script, free to install and use, which adds this to Bridge. There is a help file that explains how to install it, perhaps get help from someone at the university if you have problems but it's pretty easy.

There are no video tutorials available, sorry.

[gregreser]

You might try this Bridge script that exports to tab-delimited text which can be imported to Excel. https://metadatadeluxe.github.io/adobe_bridge_custom_export-import.html

It requires some setup when you install it, but there is a video tutorial.

Hint, when you set up the fields to import, select "IPTC Core" that will probably include the fields you've been using.

[OzPhotoMan]

Hi,

I too have been looking for something like this. I downloaded it and it works really well. One suggestion, add the ability to select files by extension. I am creating a list of files so I can print labels to fix to the back of very old family prints. Currently I have a mix of psd, raw and jpg files in the one folder. Moving forward I plan to put them in separate folders.  

[OzPhotoMan]

PS, I don't understand what you mean in by this in the help file

"Configure categories in the Utility Script Pack Preferences Panel if desired. Select any folder containing files or subfolders, then this command (hold Cmd/Ctrl to show the category window.)" 

Regards,

Steve

[Lumigraphics]

The exported list is a tab-delimited text file that can be opened in Excel or another spreadsheet app. You can search and filter etc there.

You can also use filtering in Bridge and then export a selection of files, its in the contextual menu (export selection to list.)

The tool is configurable so you can choose what categories to include in the exported list. You can do so in Bridge Preferences or at runtime.

[Kukurykus]

You may use Filter panel.

[OzPhotoMan]

Thanks,

I can't see where this is.

then export a selection of files, its in the contextual menu (export selection to list.) 

How do I export selection to list?

Is this part of Bridge or your script?

A useful addition to the script would be to add description to the folder list output.

Regards,

Steve

[OzPhotoMan]

Update,

I figured this out, the export selection to list is only available when right clicking from the content panel, not the main menu.

[Kukurykus]

Filter panel is in Window menu.

[maddie.ecology]

Thanks! I've been using Folder List Export and it worked great for about 20 folders. Now it will only work with those folders, and for any other folders the txt file shows no items. The items are fully loaded in Bridge. Any workaround ideas? (can delete if this is the wrong forum)

[Lumigraphics]

Does it work if you select all and then right-click and export?

[maddie.ecology]

(Sorry for the late reply)

No -- that gives me the same result. For some folders it will skip the first few files, for other folders it shows no files, and for some folders it's completely fine. It's the same result across PCs and Macs. Downloading the folders from Box does not fix the issue. Appreciate any help!

[Lumigraphics]

You cannot mix cloud services with Bridge, unfortunately. Adobe doesnt support this config and it breaks all sorts of things.

[maddie.ecology]

Ah, bummer. It worked for about 90% of my Box folders. I'll re-annotate copies of the other 10%. Thanks for your help! Great scripts.

[Lumigraphics]

Yeah interaction with cloud services is really weird. That would probably be my number one recommended feature, even though I barely use anything in the cloud.

[maddie.ecology]

Follow up issue: for the 90% of folders that worked from Box, the "Created by" column results in the date/time the photo was taken. For the 10% that I re-annotated on my hard drive, the "Created by" column results in the date/time the photo was downloaded. Any idea how to retrieve the date/time the photo was taken for these files?

Thanks for any advice.

[Lumigraphics]

The computer filesystem stored a created and last modified date, and the photo metadata has multiple date fields. Use the Metadata panel in Bridge to see the date fields.