Cannot Rearrange Files into Custom Order

[ambwri]

I used to be able to rearrange files in Collections, but all of a sudden it quit. I'm up to date in all ways. Currently working from a Macbook Pro w/ a track pad. Often work from external hard drives. Any ideas how to get it working again?

[Rob_Cullen]

Explain what you mean by "all of a sudden it quit"

You cannot re-arrange the sort order in these circumstances-

1. You are looking at photos in a Collection SET. Or a Smart Collection.

2. You are looking at a Folder that contains sub-folders.

Also you can only drag & drop photos into another sort order by holding the mouse cursor on the photo thumbnail. They will not drag if you try to drag from the grey border.

[ambwri]

Thanks for your reply. I have experience using the custom order and rearranging feature, and have tried all of those things you mention. That is why I say it stopped working all of a sudden. Something has prevented me from using the click-and-drag option, even under the correct circumstances--perhaps a glitch. When I hold down on a thumbnail, it doesn't even give any indication that it can move.

Are there possibly some codes somewhere that are stuck?

[johnrellis]

Have you rebooted your computer?  In the past, that fixed drag-and-drop issues for some users.

If that doesn't help, try resetting LR's preferences: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/articles-page/how-do-i-reset-lightrooms-preferences/ .  Sprinkling that magic fairy dust often fixes things when LR's user interface goes wonky.

[ambwri]

I can try to reset the preferences; but this issue appeared suddenly over a year ago. So, unfortunately, a reboot hasn't done the trick.

[ambwri]

I've also created several catalogs over that course of time, and nothing's changed.

[Rob_Cullen]

So- how do you use the Mac trackpad?  (I am more familiar with a mouse)

Does Mac have software for the trackpad that you could refresh with a new install?

Can you give us a screen-clip showing the grid and folder/collection panels with an idea of where you are trying to move the photos?

[ambwri]

The trackpad works like a mouse, only it hurts your hand a little bit more to use.   It's not the trackpad, though, because I also have a mouse that connects via Bluetooth (currently using), and the problem is the same. No sign of being able to rearrange images in collections (or anywhere).

Below is an image of my Grid from within a collection. I want to rearrange images in a way that makes more sense to the wedding day story, and then rename the files in that custom order. This was possible in the past, but no longer works.

And in case anyone suggests: this is not an issue of images being in multiple folders, because it happens with portrait sessions, too (which are all in the same folder). I wish that was it, because I know how to fix that! This is so bizarre.

[johnrellis]

Did you try resetting preferences? https://www.lightroomqueen.com/articles-page/how-do-i-reset-lightrooms-preferences/

[calumm79481591]

I experience the same issue. From what I've read it's a known glitch. I just close and reopen lightroom until it goes away, usually takes a couple times.

[Axel5EC7]

same issue. Can't figure out how to fix it though.

[albertw88285768]

I've had this issue many times. The solution (for me) was quite simple: if you have any subfolders, Lightroom will not let you rearrange your photos. If you want to reaorder them, click on the "Library" menu and uncheck "Show Photos in Subfolders".
After that, you will have some work to reestablish the order you want, but at least it works.