Better/faster way to do Search/Replace action?

[godzfire]

2018 Intel Mac Mini, Mac OS 15.7.4 (24G517), MP3Tag Version 1.10.3 (133)

Is there a better/faster way to use the search/replace action than the current method of clicking the Single Action button and choosing Replace? Like being able to set a keyboard shortcut that takes you directly there?

It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when one frequently needs to make adjustments it adds up.

[MotleyG]

There are detailed instructions for using Actions on Mac here.

Quick Actions and Action Groups

Mp3tag for Mac provides a variety of Actions, which can be used on filenames and tags. The actions can be applied individually via Actions → Quick Actions ⌥⌘ 6 or be grouped into named and reusable Action Groups via Actions → Actions ⌘ 6. Action Groups serve as repeatable workflows in Mp3tag for Mac. When using Quick Actions you can select one of the different available action types from the list. This action will be applied to the selected files and the changes are saved immediately. Tip 1…

You can assign custom keyboard shortcuts to these Actions as well.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Mp3tag menu Shortcut Command ⌘ , Preferences... ⌘ H Hide Mp3tag ⌥⌘ H Hide Others ⌘ Q Quit Mp3tag File menu Shortcut Command ⌘ O Open... ⇧⌘ O Add... ⌥⌘ C Copy to... ⌥⌘ M Move to... ⌫ Remove ⌥⌫ Delete ⌘ P Create Playlist... ⌘ E Export... ⌘ R Refresh ⌥⌘ R Refresh Tag ⌘ S Save ⌥⌘ S Save (Force) ⌘W Close Edit menu Shortcut Command ⌘ Z Undo ⇧⌘ Z Redo ⌘ X Cut ⌘ C Copy ⌘ V Paste ⌥⌘⌫ Remove Tag ⌘ A Select All ⌥⌘ ↑ Select Previous …

[ohrenkino]

@godzfire

It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when one frequently needs to make adjustments it adds up

You could use Convert>Tag-Tag and a format string with the scripting function $replace() - that allows you to call it with a keyboard shortcut, you may enter a number of search and replace pairs and you can use more or less any string as source.

[godzfire]

Forgive me if I’m overlooking something, but none of this seemingly allows a way to just simply and quickly open up the Replace window.

• Action Groups don’t work because you can’t leave the replace window empty, it has to be filled in with something to look for and replace, which defeats the purpose of using it to modify different things frequently.
• Keyboard shortcuts don’t work because there’s no menu you can associate.

It would be nice if MP3TAG actually added all the Quick Actions under the Actions menu. It’s already there, why not use it, which would allow them to be keyboard shortcutted. Even better, also build it natively into the filter search box since it’s already there.

[godzfire]

Thanks for the suggestion, but that’s just not realistic or feasible. It’s way too technical and complicated for just trying to do a simple and quick search/replace. Regular users absolutely do not have the understanding or knowledge to do this.

[MotleyG]

I see, you are looking for a shortcut specifically to the Replace option within the Quick Action menu. As that doesn't exist now it is up to @Florian to decide if it is something that can be added somehow.

If you were always looking to replace one specific string with another that is something you could assign to a custom Action with a shortcut. But if you wish to dynamically change either string it does currently require opening the Quick Action menu.

[ohrenkino]

@godzfire

for just trying to do a simple and quick search/replace

I wonder why I do not miss a direct access to a search and replace function but I am satisfied with the current way.
Perhaps we have a different workflow.
E.g. if I find a typo or so, then I do not search for the typo and replace it with the corrected version but simply set a new field contents. And that could easily be achieved with the tag panel or Convert>Tag-Tag.

(This does not mean that your suggestion is questionable in any respect - I just want to show a way that might reduce the need to use the action.)

[godzfire]

I hope @Florian will give thought on this.