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[ProblemChild]

Is there a way to copy information from a column,
then paste it elsewhere?
ie I re-recorded some discs and the new files don't
have some of the details from the old files. I'd like to be able
to cut, say, the 'Composer' field from the old files and then
paste it onto the new files. Many of the files have different
entries so it's a pain to F2/cut-paste each file.
I know I can type in a single entry and have it automatically
carried down the highlighted column, and I know how to move
data from one field to another, but I can't seem to find a way to get
that info to the clipboard, or ...?
Thankx

[zxsix]

Check the help file in the program and search for tags.
It shows three different methods and gives some examples.
Use the method with 2 split view and drag/drop.

[Alex B]

I don't think Split View can do what ProblemChild wants.

MC can copy/paste tag info from a bunch of selected files in tabulated text format to Word, Excel and similar programs, but it can't paste it back to another bunch of files.

For now, it is better to use the freeware Mp3tag program, which can do the job:

- drag a set of files to mp3tag, select all and do: right-click > copy tag
- drag another set of files to mp3tag, select all and do: right-click > paste tag

Naturally you must have both file sets in the same order, otherwise the tags will go to wrong files.

If you use MP3 format you should set Mp3tag to write tags in the IDv2.3 ISO-8859-1 tagging format. I have explained that in this thread: http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=34634.0. Other file formats should work fine without any special settings.

After you have copied the tags in Mp3tag you can refresh the tags in MC:
Select files > right-click > Library Tools > Update Library (from tags)

[prod]

Can you use Update Tag from Library for this? I've not used it myself, but I'm guessing you could;

1. Turn Auto-Import off
2. Send your old files to the recycle bin using Windows Explorer
3. Again, using Windows Explorer, put your new files where your old files were (assuming these new files have the same filename)
4. Select the files in MC
5. Select Library Tools>Update Tags (from Library) from MC.

I'd try it on 1-2 files first, just in case.

[Alex B]

Can you use Update Tag from Library for this? I've not used it myself, but I'm guessing you could;

1. Turn Auto-Import off
2. Send your old files to the recycle bin using Windows Explorer
3. Again, using Windows Explorer, put your new files where your old files were (assuming these new files have the same filename)
4. Select the files in MC
5. Select Library Tools>Update Tags (from Library) from MC.

I'd try it on 1-2 files first, just in case.

That would work fine if
a) the file format is same
b) the filenames are exactly the same, i.e there is no spelling or other minor differences.
c) the intention is really to replace the old files.

After the tag info in the files is updated it is good to update the format info in the library by running "Update Library (from tags)".

Actually, there are a couple of other tricks that could be used, including a way to change the file format (e.g. from MP3 to a lossless format), but these are quite complex procedures. More detailed info about PronlemChild's files would be needed before posting specific instructions.

[ProblemChild]

Thanks a lot for your responses.
I really appreciate your help.
Yeah, I kinda assumed from my searches that I couldn't do this easily.
I'm going to spend some time reviewing the ideas you've
shared so I learn them, but since it really only takes a
few minutes I'll just do the editing by hand for now.
Maybe in the future ?! 
btw I'm very happy w/MC.
Nice job to all those involved.

[ProblemChild]

In case someone happens to be in a similar situation in the future, there IS a sorting method
that (for me) makes it as painless as possible:
The field I'm copying from old file to new file is 'Composer'.

1. Sort by 'Composer'.
2. Sort by 'Name' (Song Title).

At least this puts it into an order like:

Composer	Song Title
Lee/Lifeson	Finding My Way	(my original copy - to be deleted after)
	Finding My Way	My new file w/o the info
Lee/Lifeson/Peart	Anthem	original file...
	Anthem	new file...
Lee/Lifeson/Peart	Working Man	etc
	Anthem	...
Lee/Lifeson/Peart	In The End
	Anthem

Then I just highlight the row w/information downward, press F2 and hit ENTER to copy the info down,
then use the arrow key to move down one to the next. ie Here, I could just highlight the top-most 'Lee/Lifeson/Peart' ,
shift-down arrow until all the remaining 5 cells below it are hightlighted, then press F2, enter. No typing in the names,
no mouse.
For what it's worth...