Batch Change Photo Titles in Photos App (Handout)

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iPhoto had a very handy Batch function where one could re-title a batch of photos while appending a sequential number to the end of each title. Unfortunately this feature is missing in Photos. However, a couple of clever Mac users have written several variations of  AppleScripts and Automator Applications that restore this capability*.

I have included a link later in this post to a version you can download and use.

This version works with Photos Libraries that are kept on the Mac or an external hard drive. If you keep your Photos Library in iCloud this version may not work well. If this is the case see https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8414.

First, though, you need set some things up. A good place to put it is in your Scripts Menu in the top menu bar.

If you already have the Scripts Menu there, fine. If it is not there, go to Applications/Utilities and double-click on Script Editor. in Preferences/General, click on Show Script menu in Menu Bar.

Now that you have the Scripts Menu in the top Menu Bar, click on it and choose Open Scripts Folder/Open User Scripts Folder.

If you wish, you can create a separate folder for Photos Scripts.

 

Now download the app. After downloading, double-click the Zip file to reveal the app Batch Change Photo Titles. Drag the app (not the Zip File) to your User Scripts. Now you can select multiple photos, go to Batch Change Photo Titles and enter the new Title information.

If you get an error to the effect that this app can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer here is how to fix it. Navigate to the app in the User Scripts Folder. Right-click (control-click) on it. Click on Open. You will be asked if you are sure you want to open it. Click Open. After this, the app will open normally.

 

It may take several seconds for the operation to finish.

If you don’t see the titles, make sure Titles is checked in View/Metadata.

To download this post as a pdf, click here.  

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*They had several versions, changing the title to the filename, etc., plus a version that worked with iCloud Photos Libraries. If you want to explore these, see https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8411 and https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8414