Author Topic: Keywords not populating  (Read 105 times)

Offline SAV FTG

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Keywords not populating
« on: October 06, 2025, 12:55:19 PM »
Hello all, I'm new in the forum but have been using Photo Mechanic Plus (PM+) for years. I add keywords to my photos so I can find various themes easily, but for some reason the keywords stopped showing up within the past couple months. I tried updating PM+ and that didn't work, so then I paid for the newest version and installed it. However, I'm still having the same issue.

My issue: If I search for a specific keyword, any photos stored on my laptop will populate within PM+, but the photos stored on my external HD don't populate. Unfortunately (for me), I store the majority of my photos on my external HD. It's a Samsung SSD. To be fair, I can view all of my photos in their folders on the external HD in PM+ -- I just can't search for them via keywords.

I feel like this might be user error on my part, but I would love some advice on what I might be doing wrong. Since I paid for the upgrade, I want the program to actually WORK -- otherwise it feels like I wasted a couple hundred dollars :-\ Thank you for any advice you can provide!

Offline Kirk Baker

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Re: Keywords not populating
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2025, 01:09:42 PM »
When you view the images PM by browsing the folder, do the images have a green dot on them (to the right of the filenames) or a yellow dot, or a hollow dot?

Please post a screenshot if you're not sure.  Use the 'Attachments and other options' link when you're composing your reply to this message and there you'll be able to upload your JPEG format screenshot.

Thanks,

-Kirk

Offline SAV FTG

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Re: Keywords not populating
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2025, 01:45:08 PM »
They have a hollow dot. Both the ones on my desktop and on the external HD have hollow dots.

Offline Kirk Baker

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Re: Keywords not populating
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2025, 01:52:13 PM »
They have a hollow dot. Both the ones on my desktop and on the external HD have hollow dots.

That would indicate that the catalog that you currently have set to be searched has not had those photos added to it yet.

https://docs.camerabits.com/support/solutions/articles/48001078324

Once you add your photos to your catalog, they should appear in searches, keyword browsing, and keyword filtering.

HTH,

-Kirk

Offline SAV FTG

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Re: Keywords not populating
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2025, 02:06:50 PM »
I figured it had to be user error since it was working properly on the laptop. Thank you so much!! I appreciate your quick responses. I'll go follow those instructions and might pop back in here if I need clarification.

Offline Kirk Baker

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Re: Keywords not populating
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2025, 02:24:05 PM »
You're welcome.

-Kirk