# how to insert text in populated field **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [April 14, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639 "2013-04-14T18:03:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beluna](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Beluna](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Beluna)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639/1 "2013-04-14T18:03:36Z")
Trying to insert text in a populated field and it overwrites everything. In the performance field when i try to insert a phrase it overwrites the current tag data. For example Performers (Field) shows as this: Lalo Schifrin - Piano, Keyboards, Arranger, Conductor Jon Faddis - Trumpet Wayne Andre, Billy Campbell, Barry Rogers - Trombone Dave Taylor - Bass Trombone I want to insert this at the top of the tag data **Lalo Schifrin Primary Artist** Lalo Schifrin - Piano, Keyboards, Arranger, Conductor Jon Faddis - Trumpet Wayne Andre, Billy Campbell, Barry Rogers - Trombone Dave Taylor - Bass Trombone Can this be done... so far, using Format value, it inputs **Lalo Schifrin Primary Artist** but wipes the tag. Thanks ---
**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:** [April 15, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639/2 "2013-04-15T03:36:29Z")
In which context do you use this function? Anyway: as you use a "Format value" action and want to keep the previous data, enter as format string the field name plus the new data: Field: ARTIST Format String Lalo Schifrin %artist% ---
**Author:** ![Beluna](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Beluna](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Beluna)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639/3 "2013-04-16T14:51:48Z")
1. Thanks for thequick response. That's the format I'm currently using... wanted to get a different perspective. With the format suggested it only works if you're doing tagging the same Artist / Album? I'm trying to do a batch process in updating my tags. For example, if I want to update all my tags with Technical Credits. (Because the name stays the same Technical Credits) I can insert this in all of my files. It simply inserts it at the top of the data and doesn't delete anything. What I was hoping to create was an action along these lines. Performers: %Artist% - Primary Artist. This works; however, it deletes everything in the tag Again trying to do a batch process, but maintain current data. I don't think it can work but I wanted another point of view. Thanks for your input ---
**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:** [April 16, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639/4 "2013-04-16T15:34:06Z")
> [@Beluna](#): > > 1. Thanks for thequick response. > > That's the format I'm currently using Yes, but where? > [@](#): > > .. it only works if you're doing tagging the same Artist / Album? As you still keep it a secret where you get the new data from, I have to use a constant (= "Lalo Schifrin") and cannot offer a variable (e.g. %album%) > [@](#): > > Performers: %Artist% - Primary Artist. This works; however, it deletes everything in the tag What was in the field before? is > [@](#): > > Lalo Schifrin - Piano, Keyboards, Arranger, Conductor > Jon Faddis - Trumpet > Wayne Andre, Billy Campbell, Barry Rogers - Trombone > Dave Taylor - Bass Trombone a multi-value-field or have you inserted line-breaks? If you want to insert something into something else, then you would have to find the position for the new data in that string with one of the string functions, I would guess. So what remains is for you to clearify the case a little more. ---
**Author:** ![Beluna](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Beluna](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Beluna)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 3:11am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639/5 "2013-04-17T03:11:56Z")
> [@ohrenkino](#): > > Yes, but where? > > As you still keep it a secret where you get the new data from, I have to use a constant (= "Lalo Schifrin") and cannot offer a variable (e.g. %album%) > > What was in the field before? > is > a multi-value-field or have you inserted line-breaks? > If you want to insert something into something else, then you would have to find the position for the new data in that string with one of the string functions, I would guess. > So what remains is for you to clearify the case a little more. I'll take it from the top and start over to explain my situation... I have hundreds of Albums I'm using the standard field ( Artist / Album / Performers ) all populated from Discogs. I want to insert the artist field ( whomever, Michael Jackson, Lalo Schifrin, DexterGordon, etc.) into the top of the performers field, which is already tagged.. Keep in mind the performers field currently has meta-tag downloaded from Discog....which looks like so: ``` Performers: Lee Morgan : Trumpet McCoy Tyner : Piano Paul Chambers : Drums Joe Chambers : Drums Performers: Dexter Gordon : Sax (Tenor) Sonny Clark : Piano Billy Higgins : Drums Butch Warren : Bass ``` Currently, to get the results i would like... I have to cut / copy the example above.... Run the action Format Value Performers: %artist% - Primary Artist And Then Paste the meta back into the field. Resulting in: ``` Performers: Lee Morgan - Primary Artist Lee Morgan : Trumpet McCoy Tyner : Piano Paul Chambers : Drums Joe Chambers : Drums Performers: Dexter Gordon - Primary Artist Dexter Gordon : Sax (Tenor) Sonny Clark : Piano Billy Higgins : Drums Butch Warren : Bass ``` If you do not copy the metadata first, and just run the action (Format Value Performers: %artist% - Primary Artist) ... It wipes the metadata out and insert the action...as such... ``` Dexter Gordon - Primary Artist ``` I'm trying to do several albums at once instead of individuals. That's as clear as I can make.. there's no line breaks / multi value field, which seems like it would solve the problem... how can i configure that... ---
**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:** [April 17, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639/6 "2013-04-17T03:22:15Z")
If you want to add another field to a field, you say it is ARTIST added to PERFORMERS (user-defined?) then use an action of the type "Format value" for PERFORMERS Make the format string look like this: %artist% - Primary Artist %performers% Run this only once per file as otherwise you get the primary artist more than once. Also this format string does not cater for any line breaks. ---
**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, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-insert-text-in-populated-field/14639/7 "2026-02-09T12:24:26Z")
Closed on February 9, 2026, 12:24pm UTC