Importing media in bulk

Elements Organizer makes it easy for you to import a large number of media files at one go. 

The intuitive, visual interface that the "Import in Bulk" feature provides makes it easy for you to select the folders from which you want to import media files. You can also preview your media files, select which folders or subfolders to import, and choose which keyword tags to import into Elements Organizer.

As part of the onboarding experience of Elements Organizer, the Import in Bulk feature is automatically launched when you run Elements Organizer for the first time or create a new catalog. 

You can also launch this feature anytime by selecting Import > In Bulk.

Import media from cloud storage

In Elements Organizer you can keep your media files in cloud storage such as Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox in sync with your local catalog. To do this you need to set up your preferred cloud storage on your PC and then add the cloud backup folders to your Watch Folders in Elements Organizer.

Set up your cloud storage

• To set up Microsoft OneDrive, see this Microsoft documentation
• To set up Google Drive, see this Google documentation
• To set up Dropbox, see this Dropbox documentation

Add cloud storage folders to Elements Organizer

To ensure easy import of media into Elements Organizer from your cloud storage folders, your Watch Folder list should contain the local cloud storage folder. If you’re launching Elements Organizer for the first time and already have the cloud storage apps installed on your PC, your Watch Folder will automatically contain these folders.

To import your files from these folders, select Import > In bulk or select File > Get Photos and Videos > In bulk. Click Import to add all your selected files from your cloud storage folders to your catalog. Since these folders are also present in your Watch Folders list, any new files that sync gets added automatically to your catalog in Elements Organizer.

Install cloud storage apps after first launch of Elements Organizer

If you have installed your cloud storage apps after the first launch of Elements Organizer, your OneDrive folder will automatically be added to the Watch Folder list and will also appear in the bulk import dialog box. To add Google Drive and Dropbox folders, click Add in the Watch Folders dialog box. Select your Google Drive or Dropbox folder from the Add Folder window. If you set up Dropbox at the default location, it appears under the Desktop icon. In case you set up in a custom location, browse to the Dropbox backup and sync folder and add it to your Watch Folders. In case of Google Drive, the folder is located under your user name in the Add Folder window.

Once you've added your desired folders to the Watch Folder, select Import > In bulk or select File > Get Photos and Videos > In bulk. Click Import to add all your selected files from your cloud storage folders to your catalog. Since these folders are also present in your Watch Folders list, any new files that sync gets added automatically to your catalog in Elements Organizer.

Importing your media files

Importing keywords

If any keywords are associated with your media files, Elements Organizer prompts you to confirm whether you want to retain these keywords after the files are imported.

Select the keywords in the media files that you want to import, and then click OK.

Replacing the keywords in media files while importing

You can also replace the keywords with other keywords of your choice. For example, you might want to replace "Depth of field" with a new keyword named "Perspective". Or, you might want to replace a keyword with one of the keywords (tags) that you created earlier, for example "Nature".

To replace keywords, click Advanced. The Import Attached Keyword Tags dialog box is updated to show options to replace keywords.

You can change a keyword in any of the following ways:

• Import as a new keyword tag
• Use an existing keyword tag

Import as new keyword tag

To replace a keyword in your media files with a completely new keyword:

1. Select the keyword name in the Keyword Tags column
2. Select the radio button in the Import as New Keyword Tag Named column, and enter a new keyword name. 
3. Click OK.

In the following example, the keyword tag "Too Bright" has been replaced with a new keyword "Overexposed".

Use an existing keyword tag

To replace a keyword tag in your media files with a keyword tag that exists in Elements Organizer:

1. Select the keyword in the Keyword Tags column (the first column).
2. Select the corresponding radio button in the Use an Existing Keyword Tag column (the third column), and then select an existing keyword. 
3. Click OK.