Missing Folders and Collections Panels After First Import

[Robert222352864k1y]

I'm a first-time LrC user. Imported files from my external drive. Seemed to work well. The file structure from my external drive appeared in the Source Panel and previews appeared in the center panel.  BUT neither the Folders nor Collections panel appear on the left side of the screen under the Source Panel. Alas, I want to make Collections from the Folders. Can't do one without the other.

Although I think I followed exactly the Import instructions from the book Lightroom Classic The Missing FAQ, I'm not getting what I expected to get. How do I fix this? Already uninstalled LrC and reinstalled it. Same problem. I must be missing something. Would appreciate a little help. Thanks in advance.

(Macbook Pro, Apple M1, Sonoma 14.6.1. LrC version 13.5.1)

[AxelMatt]

Please post a screenshot that shows the issue.

Do you have connect the external drive correctly to your Mac?

[Robert222352864k1y]

FYI: A couple of weeks ago, several experts kindly offered assistance regarding a problem I was encountering. In case my reply to one expert didn't automatically get to others (couldn't see a Reply All button), this is what I wrote:

Thanks for everyone's kind help. My problem was that I had mistakenly assumed that I had completed Lightroom's Import process, but I hadn't. Seeing my external drive's complete folder/subfolder structure appear in the Source panel AND seeing previews of all the photos in those files made me think those photos had been imported. Alas, that required my hitting an Import button in the lower right. One lives and one learns.

PS --How does one Reply All?

[JohanElzenga]

I assume the problem is that you only see the folders that contain the images, and not the entire hierarchy? If that is the case, right-click on one of the folders that is missing a parent folder and choose 'Show Parent Folder'.

[Robert222352864k1y]

FYI: A couple of weeks ago, several experts kindly offered assistance regarding a problem I was encountering. In case my reply to one expert didn't automatically get to others (couldn't see a Reply All button), this is what I wrote:

Thanks for everyone's kind help. My problem was that I had mistakenly assumed that I had completed Lightroom's Import process, but I hadn't. Seeing my external drive's complete folder/subfolder structure appear in the Source panel AND seeing previews of all the photos in those files made me think those photos had been imported. Alas, that required my hitting an Import button in the lower right. One lives and one learns.

PS --How does one Reply All?

[dj_paige]

BUT neither the Folders nor Collections panel appear on the left side of the screen under the Source Panel.

If you see the Source Panel on the left, then this is the Import Dialog box. To see the Folder Panel and the Collection Panel, you don't want to be in the Import Dialog box, you want to be in the Library Module. So, in the Import Dialog box, click on Cancel and then if you are not in the Library Module, press G. You should then see the folders and collections on the left.

If you still don't see them, here are some things to try:

• Make sure you are in the Library Module
• Press F7
• If that doesn't help, try using the menu command Window->Panels->Collections and Window->Panels->Folders

Also, I know you said you are using Lightroom Classic 13.5.1, but is it possible you are looking in Lightroom (not Classic) instead of Lightroom Classic?

[Robert222352864k1y]

Thanks for everyone's kind help. My problem was that I had mistakenly assumed that I had completed Lightroom's Import process, but I hadn't. Seeing my external drive's complete folder/subfolder structure appear in the Source panel AND seeing previews of all the photos in those files made me think those photos had been imported. Alas, that required my hitting an Import button in the lower right.  One lives and one learns.