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[chrisjj]

What's a quick way to evaluate an expression for the selected track? I'm developing Calculated Data expressions, and would like a quicker way to test each as I change it, than editing in the Library Options. Thanks.

[MrC]

Use an expression column in a view; either a pane expression or a file list column expression, depending upon your needs.  I workout all my expressions this way, often several columns each with sub-expressions.

[chrisjj]

Thanks. Do you close the editor dialog to see the value, and then reopen each time to make an edit?

[MrC]

Yup, that's a bit of a pain, but that's what you have to do.  Directory Opus has a nice feature where you Alt-click a button or control and the editor opens.  I'd like to see the same thing in MC someday (shortcut for Edit Expression Column).

[chrisjj]

Yup, that's a bit of a pain, but that's what you have to do.

OK, thanks.

Directory Opus has a nice feature where you Alt-click a button or control and the editor opens.  I'd like to see the same thing in MC someday (shortcut for Edit Expression Column).

I'd like to a see a feature such as the Mp3tag editor dialog that shows the live-updated value of the expression being edited - no keypress required.

[MrC]

You and me both.  But this is fairly complicated I suspect...

[chrisjj]

But this is fairly complicated I suspect...

I cannot see how.

[MrC]

You seem to be in argumentative mode.

I'm not sure its important that you "see how" something is complex or not.  Its not even important that I'm right or wrong on this.  All I can do is tell you what I know, or understanding, about how MC works and how I think it has to work (given my own experience and training).

I'm happy to help you where I can.  But let's avoid the back and forth banter that is entirely unproductive.

[MrC]

OK, thanks.

I'd like to a see a feature such as the Mp3tag editor dialog that shows the live-updated value of the expression being edited - no keypress required.

Actually, there is a trick you can use sometimes.   The Rename dialog provides live updates, but has a few limitations and differences, but can still be useful.

[chrisjj]

Actually, there is a trick you can use sometimes.   The Rename dialog provides live updates, but has a few limitations and differences, but can still be useful.

Thanks. Useful indeed. (I found it on the Rename, Move and Copy Files command, rather than Rename.)

The limitations I've found are (unsurprisingly) the replacement of ? : and other path-illegal characters by _ (underscore), and collapse of multiple \ to one.

[MrC]

Exactly.  And that you're stuck using Filename field as the input.

[chrisjj]

And that you're stuck using Filename field as the input.

You've lost me there, MrC. What input? I find I can use other fields e.g. [Name] .

[MrC]

The Input is Filename, shown under the column Original.  You can only use this as a value for which to apply your expressions in the Directories and Filename rules.

[chrisjj]

The Input is Filename, shown under the column Original.  You can only use this as a value for which to apply your expressions in the Directories and Filename rules.

I can use any field I've tried. E.g. Album:

[MrC]

Yes, of course, so long as you ignore the leading stuff from Filename.

You can even simulate a Before and After by doing something like:

    BEFORE=[Album]  AFTER=left([Album],4)