LR2 - problems removing a keyword from multiple images at once

[MikeLeone]

I use LR 2 on Windows (not the 2.1 RC). I imported 9' photos today. Now, the first 45 were of one subject, and the last 45 were of another subject. Rather than importing twice - assigning the first 45 one set of keywords, then importing the next 45, assigning a different keyword - I imported all of them, with one set of keywords. I just figured I would select the other 45 after importing, and remove the wrong keyword, and add the correct one. Simple, yes?

So I highlight the 45 I want in the filmstrip; click "Sync Metadata"; remove the wrong keyword and add the correct keyword; and click OK. And only the first image's keywords are changed; the other 44 are unaffected. Huh? Grumbling to myself, I try again. No difference. So, now grumbling evilly, I try by highlighting the 45 in the filmstrip, and correcting the keywords in the right pane, in the keywords section of the metadata. No joy.

Is it me? Am I doing this wrong? I want to remove a keyword from 45 images, and assign a new keyword. Are the 2 ways I tried it the wrong way to accomplish a task like this? Should I be adding all 45 to a Quick Collection, and trying the keyword modification that way?

I'm assuming I'm just doing it wrong, and that it's not an actual bug. But what should I be doing?

 

[Mark Sirota]

You need to be in Grid view on the primary monitor. In Loupe (or other single-image views) changes are applied only to the selected image.

 

[Sean McCormack]

Try removing it from the Keyword panel with the images selected in Grid mode.

 

[stasber]

So I highlight the 45 I want in the filmstrip; click "Sync Metadata"; remove the wrong keyword and add the correct keyword; and click OK. And only the first image's keywords are changed; the other 44 are unaffected.

Ditto - I work with keywords a lot and noticed the same when using the Keyword section of Sync Metadata, despite the other metadata fields being applied to all selected images as expected. Maybe it's a "feature" (i.e. time to submit a bug report for it).

When working with metadata or keywords I only work in Grid mode.

I try by highlighting the 45 in the filmstrip, and correcting the keywords in the right pane, in the keywords section of the metadata. No joy.

This is my second line of defence and had to do this yesterday in fact because the Sync Metadata (it was a copy&paste from a previous image applied to all selected images in Grid mode) didn't work. I highlighted that keyword and hit delete - it worked. (Again - I always work in Grid mode, maybe this makes a difference to your workflow.)

Try removing it from the Keyword panel with the images selected in Grid mode.

If the above two don't work, this would be my third line - r/click and choose to delete it, it pops up a message asking if I'm sure because it is currently used in xx number of images. I can also add a keyword this way and add it to the selected images.

Failing that, a fourth line would be to use the Paint tool (in Grid mode with enlarged thumbs if needed, or filtered to search on the keyword so only those show up) to erase the given keyword, or to add it if needed. Usefully the icon changes dependent on an image containing that keyword or not - so when you hover the tool over an image without the keyword you get a spraycan. When you've clicked on it (and added the keyword) the icon changes to an eraser so that you instantly know that the image has that keyword hence your next click action would be to erase it. Scanning the thumbs is pretty quick due to this nice touch.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

If the above two don't work, this would be my third line - r/click and choose to delete it, it pops up a message asking if I'm sure because it is currently used in xx number of images. I can also add a keyword this way and add it to the selected images.

I have a feeling Sean was referring to the Keywording panel (where each image's keywords are listed as text and you can just delete it), rather than the Keyword List. It's the quickest way I've found of removing a keyword from a series of images.

 

[stasber]

I have a feeling Sean was referring to the Keywording panel (where each image's keywords are listed as text and you can just delete it), rather than the Keyword List. It's the quickest way I've found of removing a keyword from a series of images.

OK so he wrote about my second option then... but the above is still my third contingency - plenty of options available!

 

[MikeLeone]

You need to be in Grid view on the primary monitor. In Loupe (or other single-image views) changes are applied only to the selected image.

D'OH! Yes, you and the others are right - I was not in Grid view. Once I did, it all Just Worked.

Thanks all, and sorry for the inconvenience.

 

[Ant]

Not so fast!

I went to the grid view and it worked for one set of selected images.... now i'm having the same problem too... extremely frustrating!
Is there likely to be an upgrade to fix this bug?

 

[Denis Pagé]

I went to the grid view and it worked for one set of selected images.... now i'm having the same problem too... extremely frustrating!
Is there likely to be an upgrade to fix this bug?

Did you by chance forgot to press "Enter" after editing the keywords in the text box?... :roll: