Listing Mp3 Files.

[andy-hughes]

I have a major collection - several thousand- of MP3's stored on my desk top, and I want to compile an index.

Is there any way to transfer the list to a spreadsheet, or a word document please?

Thanks.

[JimF]

What do you want the index to contain?

[andy-hughes]

Hi Jim,

Just a title list will be OK - title and artist would be ideal, but because they are in an MP3 format, I can't seem to list them anywhere - is there a way to change the format so they will list?

[JimF]

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/copy-list-files-windows-folder-excel-list-40032.html

[Old_Geezer]

All in one directory ?

Think I'd try a DIR command in DOS, highlight and copy the list (or maybe direct the output into a file like DIR > MP3LIST.TXT) use that to paste into a spreadsheet.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks Jim - is there any way of explaining all that in words a non-computer person like me can grasp please?

[andy-hughes]

Hi O_G - I am similarly baffled, can you explain it as you would to an idiot?

[spathiphyllum]

that's harsh, i think the term is rubber duck

[Old_Geezer]

Looking ar Jim's link, it's more or less what I suggested.

Get Windows to search for CMD, select it, a DOS window will open.

Ckick in in to type. Go to the directory that contains your MP3 files. i.e. CD C:\mydirectorynane\myMP3directory or whatever.

Type in the DIR > FILENAME.TXT thing.

The info is now in FILENAME.TXT. Do with it what you will.

[Old_Geezer]

AT
CLICK IN IT
All this was fine when I proof read it.

[JimF]

I've never understood why people who are not IT-literate describe themselves as 'idiot's or 'stupid'. It's almost as if they think it gives them some sort of inverted kudos.

[Old_Geezer]

mydirectoryname

[andy-hughes]

Hi again O-G, I'm sorry, I just don't understand what you are telling me in your post at 20:48!

Can you write it as though I have no idea what any of the terms you are using actually mean please - basically because i don't!!

Thanks!

[spathiphyllum]

"In software engineering, rubber duck debugging is a method of debugging code. The name is a reference to a story in the book The Pragmatic Programmer in which a programmer would carry around a rubber duck and debug their code by forcing themselves to explain it, line-by-line, to the duck."

[andy-hughes]

JimF - // I've never understood why people who are not IT-literate describe themselves as 'idiot's or 'stupid'. It's almost as if they think it gives them some sort of inverted kudos. //

I assure you I am not proud of my lack of knowledge in this area - if you prefer it, can you explain to me as an intelligent person who lacks specific knowledge of the terminology and applications you are explaining.

Thanks.

[JimF]

I truly don't think I can explain it any more simply than has already been explained.

[Fitzer]

Back when I had Windows I used an earlier incarnation of this https://download.cnet.com/PrintFolders/3000-2248_4-10067127.html

[andy-hughes]

OK, let me see if I can help -

All the files are listed on one memory stick, so I simply need to convert the contents of the stick into information that a spreadsheet can take.

Does that assist at all?

[Old_Geezer]

Difficult on a tablet, let's see if I can be clearer.

Bottom left of your screen there sould be a circle icon, click on it to search.

Type in "CMD" for command prompt and click on the command prompt suggestion. A DOS window will open. Click on in in order to make it active for typing.

You need to know the directory path where you MP3s are stored. Let's say they are on the C: drive in \mymusic\mp3s, as an example.

Type in the DOS window "CD C:\mymusic\mp3s\"
The PC will then go there and anything typed afterwards will be applied to that directory and whatever is in that directory.

Type "DIR > MYMP3LIST.TXT"
It should perform a directory listing but put the information into the MYMP3LIST.TXT file rather than the screen.

When it has finished the C:\mymusic\mp3s\MYMP3LIST.TXT should exist and you can use it however you like. Maybe try and open it in Excel. Or in Word. Or whatever.

[Old_Geezer]

"All the files are listed on one memory stick, so I simply need to convert the contents of the stick into information that a spreadsheet can take."

Ah not on the C: drive then. Well substitute the drive letter and it's directory for CD C:\mymusic\mp3s\

i.e. if the stick's letter is F: type

"F:"
then
CD F:\mymusic\mp3s\ or whatever the directory is called.

[andy-hughes]

O_G - Thanks for that -

my files are all stored on my memory stick, so how do I identify that to the Command please?