Importing and Exporting Songs Chapter 6

6.1 Import Wizard

The Import Wizard will automatically run the first time MP3rat is launched. It can also be launched from the File menu. The first screen provides background on MP3rat and basic instructions on how to use the program.

Pressing the Get Started button will show the second Import Wizard dialog.

This dialog will repeat displaying itself until you press Finished. The disk label override is provided for those who store music on external storage devices, such as CDs. Often CDs will have meaningless numeric disk labels, but they will be labeled with a meaningful cataloging name for your own use. Now you can specify the catalog name you reference the CD by because it will be added to the song properties.  This way when MP3rat can help you locate songs on external media faster and easier than before.

To import songs, enter the path where song files exist, specify a disk label if desired, and press the Import button. As a song gets added you will see the filename shown in the lower left corner of the program, as shown below.

Pressing the button will stop the import, and prompt you to enter another import path.  

6.2 Import

The Import feature works the same way as the second screen of the Import Wizard, except it will close once the import is completed. It is accessed from the File menu.  

Base Folder Location is the starting path that MP3rat will use to import songs, all subdirectories will also be searched for songs.

Disk Label field allow you to override the current disk label. This is beneficial for locating songs on extern media such as CDs that often have meaningless disk labels but are labeled by the user otherwise.

 

6.3 Startup Import

MP3rat has a Startup Import options. You can configure MP3rat to scan a path, including subdirectories, for any new songs.  See Section 8.1.1 for instructions on how to configure this option.

This is especially beneficial if you use a song swapping service to acquire your music. Often song swapping services put all downloaded files into a default directory. Configure this option to automatically scan that directory and then MP3rat will always have your latest downloads available.

Songs can be added to MP3rat by dragging and dropping them into MP3rat. Dropping songs into the playlist will not only add the songs to the playlist but also to the MP3rat data file as well.

6.5 Importing Playlist Songs

When a playlist is opened, MP3rat checks that each song in the playlist is also in the MP3rat song data file.  If the song doesn't exists, it is added.

6.5 Exporting Songs

MP3rat provides five different exporting formats:

• MP3rat 1.0 Text - this format can be imported at a later time with no loss of information
• HTML - a format specifically designed for printing.
• Rich Text Format (RTF) - ideal for publishing lists of songs.
• ASCII Text Format - this format is suitable for editing/printing in Notepad or other ASCII editors.
• Delimited ASCII - format suitable for importing into a database or spreadsheet.

To invoke the Export feature, either select Export... from the File menu or by pressing the Ctrl+E hotkey.  The Export Dialog will allow you to set parameters for the export.

Under the Format Tab in the Export Dialog, you will find the following fields:

• Format - the format that the exported items will be written in.
• Export Title - heading that will appear at the top of export file.
• Filename - filename and location where the output file will be written.
• All or Selected - specifies whether you want to only export the songs highlighted in the main window or every song.

Under the Options Tab in the Export Dialog, you will find further export options:

• Fields to Export - depending on the export format selected, you can choose which song property fields you want to include in the export. 
• Sort Order - specifies the order that you want the output data to appear in.
• Sort by - indicated the song property that will be used to organize the output.
• Delimited String (Not Shown) - this option is only available when ASCII delimited format is selected and it allows you enter the delimiting string that will be used for the export.

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