Accidentally removed a folder from the catalog and reimported, how to undo?

[js31085030dc2p]

 Hi,

Accidentally removed a folder from the catalog (not deleted from the disk), and reimported photos. Then exited LR and run LR again. Realized that all the keywords and editing history gone. Now removed reimported photos from the catalog again. How to recover all the keywords and editing history?

Thanks in advance.

JS

[dj_paige]

Unzip a backup of your catalog file made before the accidental deletion of the folder. Open this unzipped backup. Select the folder in question. Right-click on the folder and select Export this Folder as Catalog. A dialog box appears, you have to give the new catalog a name. Click Save. Close this backup. Open the original catalog, then File->Import from Another Catalog and select the catalog you just exported.

Important lesson: Re-importing photos/folders rarely (probably never) solves anything and in fact usually causes more problems.

[ff31090677ukif]

Thing is that I didn't make the catalog backup yet. Thanks for helping me out. Just one more question. If I didn't exit LR and undo the actions by press "CTRL-Z" until finding the action to remove a folder, that will work?

[dj_paige]

Thing is that I didn't make the catalog backup yet. Thanks for helping me out. Just one more question. If I didn't exit LR and undo the actions by press "CTRL-Z" until finding the action to remove a folder, that will work?

By @ff31090677ukif

You don't need to ask here if something will work. Lightroom Classic will let you know if it works. Just try it.

[Ian Lyons]

Removing files from the catalog can be Undone using Ctrl/Cmd+Z However, you cannot Undo sending files to the trash, and your ability to Undo other actions that preceded trashing the files is also lost. On the other hand, removing files from the catalog does not affect your ability to Undo earlier actions. 

[js31085030dc2p]

Thank you!

[Rob_Cullen]

The good advice from @dj_paige  that you must follow is also explained in this article by the Lightroom Queen-

RESTORE PARTIAL from backup catalog?

[ff31090677ukif]

Thanks for the article! Wish I had a backup catalog....