# Import cover from file - Existing cover deletion **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [August 11, 2021, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029 "2021-08-11T21:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/1/a9adbd/32.png) [@123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/123qweasd)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2021, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029/1 "2021-08-11T21:30:11Z")
I have an action group where I use "Import cover from file" for a large number of files (singles - not albums). The intent is to update existing album art when I load updated cover art jpg files in the cover art source folder . It works as intended, however, when a corresponding cover art file is not found, it deletes the existing album art. The behavior is the same no matter if I check the "delete existing cover art" option or not. Is this the intented behavior and if so, Is there any other way not to delete existing art unless a source file is provided ? Filtering is not an option as all files already have cover art, just want to update files where I submit new source jpgs. Thanks for your help! ---
**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:** [August 12, 2021, 5:39am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029/2 "2021-08-12T05:39:51Z")
> [@123qweasd](#): > > when a corresponding cover art file is not found, it deletes the existing album art I cannot reproduce it. I deleted all jpg-files from a folder, started the action of the type "Import cover from file", first with a full cover filename (here: folder.jpg) and the existing cover stayed in the file, I got the message that 0 out of 1 files got modified tags. Just as intended. I did the same, only this time with checked "delete existing covers" - and the result was the same: the exiting cover was preserved, the error message said that no tags got modified. The third attempt then started with an existing jpg file, the filename given as `*.jpg`, the new file got imported, the old cover deleted and the message indicated that 1 out of 1 file got modified. So: could it be that your file types are not correct or something? ---
**Author:** ![123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/1/a9adbd/32.png) [@123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/123qweasd)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 2:09am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029/3 "2021-08-13T02:09:39Z")
Thanks for the prompt response, will do further testing and report back. ---
**Author:** ![123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/1/a9adbd/32.png) [@123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/123qweasd)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029/4 "2021-08-18T17:33:35Z")
Ok, got this sorted out; I had another action to "Remove fields except" but was using "COVER" as the exception field instead of "PICTURE" Works now. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029/5 "2021-08-18T19:38:32Z")
> [@123qweasd](#): > > "... was using COVER as the exception field instead of "PICTURE" Yep, as specially noted in the [help for Remove fields except](https://docs.mp3tag.de/actions/remove-fields-except): ![image](https://community.mp3tag.de/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e03ecacf3bbb8cea4178873cec600286f4af3169.png) ---
**Author:** ![123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/1/a9adbd/32.png) [@123qweasd](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/123qweasd)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029/6 "2021-08-18T20:08:39Z")
Yes, that's where I found the info, thx 🙂 ---
**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, 12:29pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/import-cover-from-file-existing-cover-deletion/54029/7 "2026-02-09T12:29:21Z")