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Remove Duplicate Fields

Use Remove Duplicate Fields to reduce a field's multiple values. Choose carefully: the default keeps only the first value, even when the later values are different artists or names that should be retained.

Choose what to keep

  1. Save pending edits and select a few copied files.
  2. Choose Actions → Actions (Quick)…, then Remove Duplicate Fields.
  3. Enter a field such as ARTIST, or _ALL for every tag field.
  4. Set Only duplicated fields with the same content as needed.
  5. Choose Apply action and inspect the values in Extended tags….
Option What survives Initial setting
Same-content option off The first value of each affected field Off
Same-content option on The first occurrence of each exactly equal value

Worked examples

Values before Same-content option Values after
Juniper Vale, Mira Solberg Off Juniper Vale
Juniper Vale, Mira Solberg On Both artists
Juniper Vale, Juniper Vale, Mira Solberg On Juniper Vale, Mira Solberg
Juniper Vale, JUNIPER VALE On Both values: comparison is case-sensitive

Remaining values keep their original order. A missing field is not created. A field with one value stays as it is.

Special targets

_ALL means all tag fields for this action. It does not rename a file or remove artwork. Filename, directory and field-name selectors are not supported. Use a specific field to avoid reducing unrelated multivalue fields such as composers or genres.

Gotchas

  • Equal-looking strings may differ in case or whitespace. The same-content option compares the stored text exactly.
  • Turning the option off is a deliberate loss of additional values. Keep a backup until the result is verified in the player that will use it.
  • Actions save immediately. Check operation errors and the Edit → Undo entry for the recorded change.