# How to exclude certain subdirectories/pattern from listing?

**URL:** <https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-exclude-certain-subdirectories-pattern-from-listing/43301>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [October 17, 2018, 6:33am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-exclude-certain-subdirectories-pattern-from-listing/43301 "2018-10-17T06:33:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pstein](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@pstein](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/pstein)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 6:33am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-exclude-certain-subdirectories-pattern-from-listing/43301/1 "2018-10-17T06:33:00Z")

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Assume I enter in the entry field "Directory" on the left side a directory path.

MP3tag will scan recursively the whole directory tree for corresponding files and lists them in the right pane.

Can I somehow exclude certain sub(sub)directories from being listed/scanned?

Resp. Can I exclude certain patterns like _.test_ from beeing listed/scanned?

Peter

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**Author:** ![ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/ohrenkino/32/4843_2.png) [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 6:38am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-exclude-certain-subdirectories-pattern-from-listing/43301/2 "2018-10-17T06:38:55Z")

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If you select a folder with the functions in the toolbar then you can set on the fly whether subdirectories should be read.  
For a permanent setting, use File\>Options\>Folders.

While loading with one of these functions you cannot leave out special folders, yet, only files are read that are supported by MP3tag.  
You can filter patterns after loading like  
NOT %\_directory% HAS .test

Or you use the windows explorer and drag&drop only those folders that you want to load.

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**Author:** ![pstein](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@pstein](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/pstein)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-exclude-certain-subdirectories-pattern-from-listing/43301/3 "2018-10-17T13:10:17Z")

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Ok, thank you.

Where are all possible column variables like %\_directory% listed?  
What are for example the variables for artist, title,...?

How do I find all songs whose artist value is NOT empty?

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**Author:** ![ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/ohrenkino/32/4843_2.png) [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-exclude-certain-subdirectories-pattern-from-listing/43301/4 "2018-10-17T14:20:21Z")

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> [@pstein](#):
>
> Where are all possible column variables like %\_directory% listed?  
> What are for example the variables for artist, title,...?
> 
> How do I find all songs whose artist value is NOT empty?

I think it is now time to have a look at the help:

> **[Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/)**
>
> Mp3tag is the universal Tag Editor. It supports editing of metadata and cover art for many different audio and video formats (MP3, MP4, FLAC, WAV, ...), file renaming, metadata import and repeatable actions.

esp. on the fields [Tag Field Mappings – Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/mapping)  
the chapter on export which lists a number of variables: [Exporting Tag and File Information – Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/export)  
and on filter, keyword "PRESENT": [Filter and Search – Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/filter)

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**Author:** ![system](https://community.mp3tag.de/uploads/default/original/2X/c/ce7035d426cb755a7916793326d23b465222a407.png) [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-exclude-certain-subdirectories-pattern-from-listing/43301/5 "2026-02-09T12:27:44Z")

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