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pfield69
Inspiring
September 27, 2019
Question

Keyword hierarchy unstable

  • September 27, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 582 views

Hi, I've been using LR for sometime but My keywords keep loosing thier hierarchy structure.
I have multiple level but every now and again (no pattern found yet) the structure turns semi flat, where many of the keyword are just on the 'root'.

Any ideas why this happens?

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    3 replies

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 1, 2019

    Sorry for a long reply to your words (in bold italic)-

     

    Yes, in the Places there is a sub keyword, Australia and in Australia there is a sub-keyword, NSW giving a path Places/Australia/NSW. This is how intend it to be.

    So the keywords would visually appear as sub-folders do in the Lr Folders panel. ok.

     

    What is happening is some of the sub-keywords are going to the top level. As an example I may have Manly as a sub-keyword to NSW but this has 'magically' became a top level keyword. It appears to be random.

    Or- have you typed "Manly" to add it to a photo and it has added a second "Manly" at the top of the KW list?

    I find it easier to always type keywords in the small panel-

    And I have the 'Auto-complete' option in Preferences checked-

     

     

    Then I always get a preview of existing words as I type and can select from existing.

    Or I might preferably have the 'Keyword List' open and simply select an image and place a 'tick' in the box beside the KW.

     

    To restructure the hierarchy is a pain. As some Manly images may stay in the NSW folder which prevents drag and dropping the moved keyword..

    So if the KW exists twice- Filter for the 'unwanted' KW images (select all), then place a 'tick' in the 'wanted' KW, now delete the 'unwanted'.

    I'm wondering if this occurs when images are moved on the hdd. Current Images are stored locally (OneDrive synced) older images are backed up and moved to NAS.

    No, Keywords are stored in the Catalog, or added to files if metadata is saved to the files, or files Exported, but not if files are moved with the OS.

     

    I still have problems understanding the keyword system, so don't be daunted by your quest to understand how Lightroom manages keywords!

    https://lightroomkillertips.com/controlling-keywords/

     

     

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 29, 2019

    And if you toggle the 'spinner triangle' beside "Australia"- (Spain in my clip) do you see the States as sub-hierarchy?

    Yes, the keywords with / may be 'very old'  -

     

    I tried such a keyword (Place/Australia/NSW)  and it does not form a hierarchy even with the Preferences option set [Treat / as Keyword Separator]. I have never experimented with that option!

     

    Add Images with the icon above your post window-

     

     

     

     

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
    P
    pfield69Author
    Inspiring
    September 30, 2019

    Yes, in the Places there is a sub keyword, Australia and in Australia there is a sub-keyword, NSW giving a path Places/Australia/NSW. This is how intend it to be.

    What is happening is some of the sub-keywords are going to the top level. As an example I may have Manly as a sub-keyword to NSW but this has 'magically' became a top level keyword. It appears to be random.

    The keywords that are saved as a full path are left overs from old software, pre-LR, and this is how it exported them. I am slowly converting them back to normal LR keywords. I was unaware of the 'treat / as a keyword separator. Option.

    To restructure the hierarchy is a pain. As some Manly images may stay in the NSW folder which prevents drag and dropping the moved keyword..

    I'm wondering if this occurs when images are moved on the hdd. Current Images are stored locally (OneDrive synced) older images are backed up and moved to NAS.

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2019

    Can you show us a screen-clip, or two, of your Keyword List panel showing a sample of the hierarchy expanded so we may better understand your problem?

    What do you mean by "semi flat"?

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
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    pfield69Author
    Inspiring
    September 29, 2019

    need help in adding images on here


    P
    pfield69Author
    Inspiring
    September 29, 2019

    I think that worked?
    You will see within places, there are countries. Within counties there are sub level, for the UK counties, the towns.
    Some are still in place ie still in hierchy, others have gone flat i.e no longer in places folder etc. Do not be confused by path as these maybe from very old version

     

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