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Jim_Palik
Inspiring
June 21, 2021
Answered

"This photo is already in the catalog"

  • June 21, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 9563 views

How do I reimport or relink a photo where LR says it is already in the catalog. In this case I renamed the photo from LR on the source drive. I assumed that renaming it would allow me to reimport it. I know I have asked this before but I cannot locate the answer.

 

Jim

 

Correct answer dj_paige

In Lightroom Classic, perform a search for this photo following ALL four of these steps.

 

1. In the Lightroom Library Module, on the left, under Catalog, click on All Photographs
2. Turn off all filters (Ctrl-L once or twice)
3. Turn off all stacking (Photo->Stacking->Expand All Stacks)
4. Search for at least one of these photos by file name using the Lightroom Filter Bar

 

By the way, NEVER re-import. That's a very strong word NEVER, but that's exactly how I mean it to come across.

2 replies

Participating Frequently
June 25, 2025

Hi all, I have a similar issue with a photo appearing under the catalog "Already in Catalog". I followed @dj_paige guidance and confirmed that there is only one version of the photo in my Lightroom Classic library. I select 'show in finder' and it is the same image file. Thoughts on how to remove from the "Already in Catalog"? Thanks!

dj_paige
Legend
June 25, 2025

@Gravityflyer 

Please start a new thread and explain your problem completely and in detail. People will be happy to help you in the new thread.

dj_paige
dj_paigeCorrect answer
Legend
June 21, 2021

In Lightroom Classic, perform a search for this photo following ALL four of these steps.

 

1. In the Lightroom Library Module, on the left, under Catalog, click on All Photographs
2. Turn off all filters (Ctrl-L once or twice)
3. Turn off all stacking (Photo->Stacking->Expand All Stacks)
4. Search for at least one of these photos by file name using the Lightroom Filter Bar

 

By the way, NEVER re-import. That's a very strong word NEVER, but that's exactly how I mean it to come across.

Jim_Palik
Jim_PalikAuthor
Inspiring
June 21, 2021

Thanks DJ,

I found all five images and re-draged them into the collection. three of the five images have a badge that says metadata has a conflict. How do I fix this.

Thanks again, Jim 

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dj_paige
Legend
June 21, 2021

When you click on the badge, you get a choice to either use the metadata in the catalog (I think it might say something like overwrite the metadata in the file), or use the metadata in the file. It's up to you which one you click on.

 

Since I never manage metadata outside of the catalog, I know I want to use the metadata in the catalog. Maybe your case is different.