deleting tag values from the drop down list

[peaceridge]

Is there any way of doing this? I know how to delete tag values from the metadata, but when I'm adding a new tag I sometimes have to "page through" multiple entries that I would never use in the drop down list. So, how do I get rid of the ones I'll never use in the dropdown list. Hopefully you understand what I'm looking for. When searching I only get how to delete tag values from the metadata, not the drop down list - probably something easy I'm over looking.

[chaley]

The drop down list contains all your tags. The only way to delete a tag from the list is to delete that tag from all books.

You can make the list shorter by typing a few leading characters.

NB: This is one reason why some people use different custom columns "like tags" for items with specific meaning. Doing so can make it much easier to manage and use them.

[peaceridge]

Originally Posted by chaley

The drop down list contains all your tags. The only way to delete a tag from the list is to delete that tag from all books.

You can make the list shorter by typing a few leading characters.

NB: This is one reason why some people use different custom columns "like tags" for items with specific meaning. Doing so can make it much easier to manage and use them.

Many of the tags are not ones I put in! I suspect at some point early on I had the metadata downloads putting them in. So if I delete all tags they will go away from the drop down list?

Edit: Looks like deleting all tags still doesn't remove them from the list. I deleted "Zen" from the metadata tag, but it still remains in the dropdown list. Is there a file I can delete where I can just start over with my tags - I know I never added "Zilla - pdf" which is in my list.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by peaceridge

So if I delete all tags they will go away from the drop down list?

Yes. You can easily delete tags from all books using the tag browser (the panel on the left). Right-click on a tag you don't want and choose "Delete".

If you really mean *delete all tags* then you can select all books, press E for edit metadata multiple, ensure you are on the Basic Metadata tab, and check the box "Remove all" next to "Remove tags". Press OK. I suggest you make a backup of your library before you do something like this.

[peaceridge]

Originally Posted by chaley

Yes. You can easily delete tags from all books using the tag browser (the panel on the left). Right-click on a tag you don't want and choose "Delete".

Perfect!! Exactly what I wanted - knew it was just something I wasn't seeing! Appreciate your help - I'm cleaning up the library due to loving your CC so much!

[Ripplinger]

When I download metadata for a book, I have it set to not download tags at all. That often ends up sending you a dozen nonsense tags, which of course end up in the drop down tag box unless you delete them.

I always manually delete that mess of tags and set my own one single tag I prefer for the book and make sure I do it everytime I add a book to the library. But setting to download no tags saves me from deleting them and means I never accidentally miss deleting them when I'm in a hurry.

[eschwartz]

I too set metadata download to reject tags, and delete all tags as the books come into the library. If I want a certain tag, I will add it myself, then it will usually mean something meaningful.

[peaceridge]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I too set metadata download to reject tags, and delete all tags as the books come into the library. If I want a certain tag, I will add it myself, then it will usually mean something meaningful.

I do this also, but I think at the very first I did not - which is why I have some odd ones in there. Now that I know how to fix it, I am busily doing that!

[PeterT]

Well I just went and removed all tags I never use them and have just got 'em over the years from metadata downloads. I just selected ALL books, then selected the Edit metadata in bulk option, and finally clicked the Remove all check box next to the Remove tags line. 5 seconds later, all tags are GONE.

[eschwartz]

I have a few, like to tell me which stuff are omnibuses, anthologies, etc.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I have a few, like to tell me which stuff are omnibuses, anthologies, etc.

I use custom columns for "my" tags, genres, etc. The only things in the base tags column are those that come from metadata download. I mostly don't care about them, but it is mildly interesting to see what tags other people apply.

[toomuchreading]

Be aware that when you add books to your library, if there are tags in the metadata, they will be added to your book automatically, thus if will appear that you have tags again that you did not want. You can not turn this function off, like you can with updating metadata. You will have to delete the tags after you have added books.

Here's what I do to get around this. I have the function mark books on adding. I then display only the marked books (from the mark books pulldown menu icon). I highlight all the marked books, then do a bulk edited metadata, to remove all the tags. This way, any tags that I have already set up on books previously in my library are left alone, and only those books I just added are cleared. I can then add the tags to those books I just added, and clean up the metadata.

[peaceridge]

Originally Posted by toomuchreading

Be aware that when you add books to your library, if there are tags in the metadata, they will be added to your book automatically, thus if will appear that you have tags again that you did not want. You can not turn this function off, like you can with updating metadata. You will have to delete the tags after you have added books.

Here's what I do to get around this. I have the function mark books on adding. I then display only the marked books (from the mark books pulldown menu icon). I highlight all the marked books, then do a bulk edited metadata, to remove all the tags. This way, any tags that I have already set up on books previously in my library are left alone, and only those books I just added are cleared. I can then add the tags to those books I just added, and clean up the metadata.

I didn't know about that function - great idea! Thanks so much.