Export a Music Inventory from Mp3tag

At a glance

Exporting a music inventory from Mp3tag is simple using its export templates, allowing metadata listings in formats like CSV, TXT, or HTML. Choose or customize export configurations, select the right delimiter and encoding, and group files as needed. Always validate your export with a small sample before cataloging your entire library for analysis or recordkeeping.

In this guide

1. Export overview
2. Quick steps to export an inventory
3. Creating or editing templates
4. Delimiter and spreadsheet advice
5. Grouping and multiple files
6. Verification and safety
7. Next steps and templates

Exporting a detailed music inventory from Mp3tag is straightforward using its built-in export function. This feature enables you to generate a text-based listing—such as CSV, TXT, or HTML—of your audio files’ tags and filenames. The inventory acts as a snapshot of metadata, not an audio backup, making it ideal for cataloging or spreadsheet analysis.

Export overview

Mp3tag organizes exports around export configurations, which are templates defining both the structure and content of the output file. Access the export function by selecting File → Export or pressing Ctrl+E. You can export selected files or the entire displayed file list. Grouped exports—such as one inventory file per album or artist—are supported by specifying partitioning in the export settings.

Every export requires a configuration template. The Export dialog lets you pick from existing templates or create a new one. Each configuration can define fields, delimiters, and the output format. You can fine-tune whether data is appended to an existing file or separated into multiple files per group by adjusting dialog options like Append data or Create one output file per.

Quick steps to export an inventory

1. Open Mp3tag and load your target directory or set of files.
2. Select the files you wish to include in the inventory. If none are selected, the entire list is included by default.
3. Invoke File → Export or use Ctrl+E.
4. Select an export configuration that matches your needs, or duplicate and edit one to suit your fields or format preferences.
5. Edit the target file name if needed. For CSV exports, using a .csv extension is recommended for spreadsheet compatibility.
6. Decide on supplemental options like appending data or creating grouped files per artist, album, or folder using the provided placeholders.
7. Complete the export and verify the output by opening it in your spreadsheet application or browser.

Creating or editing templates

Export configurations are plain text templates specifying the data layout and encoding. Edit them directly within Mp3tag (double-click or F4) or with your preferred text editor. Core elements include:

• Set file extension and encoding at the start using $filename(name,enc), e.g., $filename(inventory.csv,utf-8).
• Designate columns and formatting with placeholders like %title%, %artist%, %album%, and field separators. For CSV, ensure that delimiters (comma, semicolon, or tab) won’t be mistaken for part of the data.
• Apply loops using $loop() and $loopend() if you need structured or deduplicated output.

When adapting templates, align the column order and delimiters with your intended use. For a sample CSV template, consider combining a header row with a per-track line: Artist;Album;Title;Filename followed by %artist%;%album%;%title%;%_filename% for each entry.

Delimiter and spreadsheet advice

Proper delimiter choice is critical for seamless spreadsheet import:

1. If metadata fields can contain commas but your application expects comma separation, use an alternative delimiter (such as semicolon or tab). Fields can also be wrapped in quotes to minimize parsing issues.
2. Encoding impacts compatibility. For UTF-8 exports, select $filename(...,utf-8). If your spreadsheet software requires a Byte Order Marker (BOM), enable it under Options → Export.
3. On importing the CSV, specify the delimiter in your spreadsheet’s import settings—don’t rely on autodetect to prevent misaligned columns.

Grouping and multiple files

To create separate inventories for groups like artist, album, or folder structure, use the Create one output file per option. Set a partition format string (e.g., %albumartist% or %_folderpath%) to group files accordingly. The output filename should include a differentiator, such as the group’s name, to prevent overwriting files across groups.

For example, using exports\%albumartist%.csv with grouping by %albumartist% yields one inventory file per album artist. If grouping by folder path, %_folderpath%\inventory.csv writes an inventory to each directory.

Verification and safety

Since exporting reads but does not alter audio or metadata, risk of data loss is minimal. Still, safeguarding workflow and results involves:

1. Testing on a small subset of files to check field order, delimiter accuracy, and encoding compatibility.
2. Ensuring filenames and folders are generated as expected when using grouped exports. Disable directory creation if unneeded (Options → Export).
3. Opening exported files in your intended application to confirm column structure and correct character display.

Example:

Scenario: An audio curator tracks podcast music assets. They load the month’s releases in Mp3tag, select an export template containing "Artist;Album;Title;Filename," then export as CSV. Upon opening in a spreadsheet, they specify a semicolon delimiter to avoid splitting titles with embedded commas and verify column accuracy for an accurate accounting log.

Next steps and templates

Create a dedicated export configuration for recurring use: define the encoding, select a delimiter matched to your workflow, and determine if grouped output is necessary. Experiment first with a representative sample for validation. For deeper use of scripting and formatting within export templates, consult Mp3tag’s export options for further customization.

Explore related tutorials on inventory and file detail management:

• Read Music File Details in MediaInfo
• Export Labeled Songs as Separate Files in Audacity 3

Finalize your approach by running a small-scale export, reviewing the output, then proceeding with the collected inventory for your entire music library.