# Extract and create cover files for a large number of folders
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/extract-and-create-cover-files-for-a-large-number-of-folders/55554
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [December 17, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/extract-and-create-cover-files-for-a-large-number-of-folders/55554 "2021-12-17T18:15:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Palladio](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Palladio)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/extract-and-create-cover-files-for-a-large-number-of-folders/55554/1 "2021-12-17T18:15:41Z")
Hi, when we have a large number of music album folders, but in these folders we want the album cover to be extracted from the tracks and stored in the **same folder** with the desired name, such as " Album\_cover" or " Folder " , the solution for a large number of folders What is ?
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/extract-and-create-cover-files-for-a-large-number-of-folders/55554/2 "2021-12-17T18:23:29Z")
You can [create a new action](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/actions-and-batch-operations/967/2) from type "Export cover to file".
As the [help](https://docs.mp3tag.de/actions/export-cover) says "You can use placeholders like %artist% and %album% in the format string."
Then this answer can maybe help you:
> [@How to export cover art to directory structure](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-export-cover-art-to-directory-structure/47037):
>
> A user on Twitter asks I want to export my whole library CD covers to a folder in which my library folder architecture will be preserved : i don't want to end up with all CD covers mixed in a single folder. I made searched but coudn't find the way to. Hope you'll help, thanks. The way to go here is with an action "Export cover to file" and a custom format string that resembles the directory structure (see [this post](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/actions-and-batch-operations/967/2) on how to create actions in Mp3tag). The format string can be a combination …
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### Author:  [@Palladio](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Palladio)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2021, 6:57am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/extract-and-create-cover-files-for-a-large-number-of-folders/55554/3 "2021-12-18T06:57:55Z")
Thanks, suppose we have a large number of music albums in the form of a large number of folders, but the names of these album folders are not consistent and correct. That is, the names of some are based on the name of the album and others are the year of publication, artist, etc ..., and in fact the naming pattern of the albums is not the same and harmonious.
Now they can be moved to a new path and foldered based on their tags in a new format and structure in new directoris. And the names of the folders have the same pattern, but the problem is that in the current or initial state, when the names of the folders do not fit and match, inside some folders there are images called cover or folder cover or a folder containing different covers of an album. That remain in the previous directory and are not moved, is there a way to get the images and folders that are in the albums folder in the original state. Move to a new directory?
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2021, 7:15am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/extract-and-create-cover-files-for-a-large-number-of-folders/55554/4 "2021-12-18T07:15:13Z")
> [@Palladio](#):
>
> Now they can be moved to a new path and foldered based on their tags in a new format and structure in new directoris
If the new folder names come from the tags, then, with MP3tag, do not rename the files first but rename the \_DIRECTORY and then the files.
As soon as you rename a folder, all the files inside the folder are moved to the new folder.
Yet, if the covers are embedded, you simply don't have to care about which files are left over in the old folder but you then can export the cover pictures in the new folder.
So, there are several options.
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### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/extract-and-create-cover-files-for-a-large-number-of-folders/55554/5 "2026-02-09T12:29:34Z")