# How to restore missing MEGADATA?
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [May 16, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513 "2025-05-16T14:30:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/1 "2025-05-16T14:30:25Z")
I installed new version and did not save configuration.
The new version does not have all the MEGADATA for each mp3 file.
I made new columns with identical names and the columns are blank and do not restore the MEGATDATA that is in each file
How do I "restore" the MEGADATA columns?
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/2 "2025-05-16T14:34:05Z")
If this is a WIndows version problem, see this part of the documentation about restoring a saved configuration:
> **[Download and Installation – Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/getting-started/installation/#backup-and-restore-configuration)**
>
> Details on where to download Mp3tag, Mp3tag's different installation modes, and system requirements for the usage of Mp3tag. Mp3tag is the universal Tag Editor.
If it is a problem for the Mac version, see here:
> [@Preferences and Configuration](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/preferences-and-configuration/56296):
>
> You can configure many areas of Mp3tag via the preferences window at Mp3tag → Preferences… or ⌘ , General Startup Folder Here you can specify the startup behavior of Mp3tag. None starts with an empty File List. Previous starts with the folder which was loaded the last time you’ve used Mp3tag. Other… lets you choose a explicit folder that is loaded on startup. Genres Use standard genres If enabled, Mp3tag lists the standard genres in the genre field on the Tag Pane…
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### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/3 "2025-05-16T14:34:53Z")
UNsaved configuration
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/4 "2025-05-16T14:40:35Z")
No backup, no mercy - you know that motto.
If you installed a new version in a different folder or switched from "portable" to "standard" installation mode or vice versa, check the old installation location or the old `%appdata%\mp3tag` folder for the MP3tagSettings.zip file and use that to restore your configuration.
This applies to the Windows version.
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/5 "2025-05-16T14:43:17Z")
> [@toovia](#):
>
> How do I "restore" the MEGADATA columns?
What do you mean with MEGADATA columns?
What exactly should they show in addition to the standard columns?
If you press Alt + T on one of your tracks (View -\> Extended Tags) you see what kind of metadata is included in one of your older tracks.
With this information, you can rebuild the same fields in the Tag Panel or the File List columns.
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### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/6 "2025-05-16T14:45:36Z")
yes- I SEE THE METADATA when i press Alt + T. I made new columns with exact same names and the columns are blank and do not show "old megadata
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/7 "2025-05-16T14:46:40Z")
Please show us the definition of one of your own added columns with a [screenshot](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/hints-for-asking-support-requests/56190#use-screenshots-to-exemplify-the-issue-2).
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/8 "2025-05-16T14:46:44Z")
See here how to customize MP3tag:
> **[Customization – Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/customization/)**
>
> This section provides details on the customization of Mp3tag. Mp3tag is the universal Tag Editor.
Please note that you have to add more than a column header to see data
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### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/9 "2025-05-16T15:00:57Z")
1- do not see the Tag Panel to the left of the file list-
2- do not see Options → Tag Panel
The Tag Panel is the sidebar on the left of the File List that shows the fields to enter metadata. Besides the standard fields, you can add user-defined tag fields to the Tag Panel via **Options → Tag Panel**.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/10 "2025-05-16T15:02:26Z")
> [@toovia](#):
>
> 1- do not see the Tag Panel to the left of the file list-
See the View Menu to open the tag panel.
And: screenshots would help a lot.
What have you tried to open the Options?
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/11 "2025-05-16T15:08:31Z")
> [@toovia](#):
>
> 2- do not see Options → Tag Panel
File -\> Options -\> Tag Panel
or
press Ctrl + O
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### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/12 "2025-05-16T15:12:00Z")
OK accessed this- but how do i add megadta that is embedded in each file (ALT + T) but is not appearing in the comun list?
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/13 "2025-05-16T15:12:37Z")
Follow the instructions already given here:
> [@How to restore missing MEGADATA?](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/8):
>
> See here how to customize MP3tag: Please note that you have to add more than a column header to see data
or show us a screenshot of your previous attempt to define a new column.
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### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/14 "2025-05-16T15:20:28Z")
utils\> load configuaration\> (in AppData\>Roaming\>Mp3tag\>Data\>panals) is blank
shows only option for \*.ini file
BUT in AppData\>Roaming\>Mp3tag folder is a file- mp3tag.cfg
is this what i need?
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/15 "2025-05-16T15:22:03Z")
> [@toovia](#):
>
> is this what i need?
No. You need some ini files like
```auto
columns.ini
genres.ini
tools.ini
usrfields.ini
```
and others.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/16 "2025-05-16T15:22:53Z")
> [@toovia](#):
>
> BUT in AppData\>Roaming\>Mp3tag folder is a file- mp3tag.cfg
You can check the modification date to see whether this is an older file or a recent one that has been created by MP3tag when you noticed that you are missing configuration data.
If you install an updated MP3tag version in the same way and folder as before, then you do not loose any configuration data.
But if you chose a different approach (portable vs. standard and vice versa) then you have to look in the old locations.
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### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/17 "2025-05-16T15:24:13Z")
in roaming \>Mpstag\>data
only a columns.ini
usefields.ini
files in data folder
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2025, 3:33pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/18 "2025-05-16T15:33:07Z")
Please note that this folder only applies to a standard installation.
If you had a portable installation before or chose that in this installation, then you have to look for the correct configuration folder with File\>Open configuration folder.
If that is not the same as that folder that you have checked for your reply, then use the files from the other folder.
It is still true that if you use the same installation method as before, then you do not loose any configuration data.
---
### Author:  [@poster](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/poster)
#### Post date: [May 17, 2025, 5:43am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/19 "2025-05-17T05:43:45Z")
> [@toovia](#):
>
> I installed new version and did not save configuration.
As long as you do not uninstall Mp3tag (or delete the files) the configuration files should still be there somewhere.
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### Author:  [@toovia](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/toovia)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2025, 7:55am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513/20 "2025-05-18T07:55:09Z")
1-
attached here is a screenshot showing the metadata
(accessed via ALT t) [https://bilvavi.net/images/metadata.jpg](https://bilvavi.net/images/metadata.jpg)
2-
the tag-file list has these columns:
FILE NAME-TITLE-ALBUM-YEAR-GENRE-COMMENT-COMPOSER
(in the updated version 3.29 "YEAR" TRANSFORMED INTO "DATE")
[https://bilvavi.net/images/tag-list.jpg](https://bilvavi.net/images/tag-list.jpg)
3-
missing from the tag-file list is
DATE
LOCATION
SHANA
YEAR (IN THE UPDATE 3.29 YEAR = DATE)
4-
How can I restore these "missing" metadata columns in the tag-file list.
I have tried all suggestions and nothing is "working."
5-
my suspicion is that the metadata format for the missing columns is different than the format of the 3.29 metadata
[Next page](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-restore-missing-megadata/68513.md?page=2)