Import Add keeping folder structure

[johnw7182060]

I've got 40 folders on external hard drive, each one contains sub folders. I want to import (Add) them maintaining same folder (and sub folder) names etc. Is there a simple straight forward way of doing this? If I click on the top level folder it combines all the images regardless of sub folder. Do I have to Add each sub folder separately?

I only want to do this once so please advise.

Thanks

[Jao vdL]

It depends on what folder structure you have. If these are folders by date and year with a certain format, you can use the organize by date feature in the import panel. Otherwise you have to import into a single folder and then move them manually to the folders you want them in.

[DdeGannes]

If you use the “Add” option during the import process the original files will remain in their current location period. The folder structure will remain intact.

[Jao vdL]

Thanks Dennis! I had misread the original post. I thought the poster was trying to file new images into an existing custom folder structure. Of course if you are importing from folders just using add will retain the structure.

[johnw7182060]

Specifically I am working with a sport magazine, the file structure is Issue Number then the events included in the issue. The orginaization was not uniform over the 40 issues. It was a learning process. But as an example for Issue 10 there are these sub folders

[Just Shoot Me]

You can Select multiple folder in the Source section or if they are all under the same Top Level folder select that top level folder and select Include Subfolders at the top of the Source list.

To select multiple folder, Non consecutive, Hold Down the Ctrl key (Windows, not sure if it is the CMD (Command) key on a Mac or some other key) and Click the Non consecutive folders. If they are consecutive then click on the first then hold down the Shift key and click the last. This is Standard Windows/Mac file selection

[Rob_Cullen]

JohnW

So for your screen-clip of the 2011 folders:

the Import method would be-

1. Open the [Import] dialog

2. Change the method above the central window to [ADD]

3. In the 'Source' panel select the 'Parent' Folder eg.{Issue 10 Summer 2011}

4. Place a Checkmark against [Include sub-folders]

5. [Import].

If the images are combining in one folder when they import then you have not set the option to [ADD].  Any other option (Copy, Move, Copy as DNG) would place your images in a location determined by the settings in the Destination panel (which does not appear for the [ADD] option!).

One source of confusion with Windows is the "Libraries" for Pictures, Music, etc. These are shortcuts that lead to folder locations buried within the User profile. I find it is always best in Lr to always expand the folder structure to the folder name and not the 'Library' name.

So-

{This PC\Pictures} is in fact- {C:\Users\MyName\Pictures}

{This PC\Desktop}  is {C:\Users\MyName\Desktop}

[johnw7182060]

Been a long day, will try this in the morning when I'm fresh. Thanks

[johnw7182060]

Decided to give it a try for Issue 1, that is exactly what I hoped would happen. Then I tried it with the top level folder and it's importing (adding) all 43 issues including all the sub folders exactly as I hoped. Thanks you very much!