# Is it possible to edit the "Description" tag in MP3TAG?
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595
**Category:** Mac
**Created:** [March 5, 2022, 8:32am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595 "2022-03-05T08:32:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 5, 2022, 8:32am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/1 "2022-03-05T08:32:36Z")
Hi, is there no way to edit the metadata "Description" in MP3TAG?
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [March 5, 2022, 8:33am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/2 "2022-03-05T08:33:16Z")
It's possible, please let me know where it's not working for you.
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2022, 11:41am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/4 "2022-03-08T11:41:53Z")
I am using the trial version.
I imported a few mp4 music files which have text in the Description tag.
I know because I see this text in the Apple Music library. I entered the text myself.
However, in MP3TAG I don't see a column for the Description tag.
It is also not listed in the popup window list of column options.
You said it is possible. How?
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/5 "2022-03-08T12:45:55Z")
Do you see that field with the extended tags window at **View → Extended Tags...** ⌘T ?
If yes you can edit from there or add it to the Tag Panel on the left and the File List as described in
> [@Customization of Tag Panel and File List](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/customization-of-tag-panel-and-file-list/56067):
>
> Mp3tag supports flexible tagging, which means that the tag fields available on the Tag Panel on the left and as columns in the File List are not fixed. While you can reference any field which is, e.g., listed in the extended tag dialog as name via a placeholder %name% in Mp3tag, it's also possible to customize the UI using these placeholders. Customizing the 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 field…
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2022, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/6 "2022-03-08T14:41:32Z")
Yes, I see it now. However, ...
I have some music files in the Apple Music library (mp3 and m4a) that have text in the Description tag in the Apple Music library, but the text does not show up in MP3TAG. The text is also not seen using the TagEditor.
And then I have a few m4a files where the Description tag text is visible in MP3TAG and in the TagEditor. When I deleted the Description tag in one file in MP3TAG it did not disappear in the Apple Music library, even if I delete and reimport the file into the Apple Music library.
My aim is to bulk delete the Description tag content of about a couple hundred CDs in the Apple Music library. This cannot be done in the Apple Music app. I need to use a third-party tag editor. It doesn't look like that I will be able to do it using MP3TAG. Or?
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/7 "2022-03-08T17:38:50Z")
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> I have some music files in the Apple Music library (mp3 and m4a) that have text in the Description tag in the Apple Music library, but the text does not show up in MP3TAG. The text is also not seen using the TagEditor.
Anything you see in Apple Music that cannot be displayed in mp3tag's extended tags window are proprietary from their store and cannot be changed. These are buried in the packaging.
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> And then I have a few m4a files where the Description tag text is visible in MP3TAG and in the TagEditor. When I deleted the Description tag in one file in MP3TAG it did not disappear in the Apple Music library, even if I delete and reimport the file into the Apple Music library.
Are these files local, or through the cloud on your devices? Cloud files revert to the Apple tag info. Local files should recognize the changed tags, but only if you run a refresh script or manually delete them from the library your library and add them back.
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/8 "2022-03-08T23:59:38Z")
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> Anything you see in Apple Music that cannot be displayed in mp3tag's extended tags window are proprietary from their store and cannot be changed. These are buried in the packaging.
None of my music files with tags in the Description tag are proprietary from the iTunes store. I made these files from CD and also added the tags myself a few years ago. The software I used no longer exists. I have only 4 music files where the tag is visible in a tag editor. I must have added these tags manually in the Apple Music app.
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> Are these files local, or through the cloud on your devices? Cloud files revert to the Apple tag info. Local files should recognize the changed tags, but only if you run a refresh script or manually delete them from the library your library and add them back.
The files are local.
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 1:01am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/9 "2022-03-09T01:01:16Z")
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> None of my music files with tags in the Description tag are proprietary from the iTunes store. I made these files from CD and also added the tags myself a few years ago.
That wasn't clear from above. But this is strange behavior if the fields were added by an editor that followed the standards.
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> The software I used no longer exists.
Do you recall the name of this app? Maybe that would help narrow down the issue.
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> I must have added these tags manually in the Apple Music app.
Can you post one of these files to be looked at? You mentioned above that you couldn't edit these fields in Apple Music, do you mean iTunes? If you can't edit them now, I can't see how you were able to put them there in the first place.
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/10 "2022-03-09T01:33:18Z")
Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the software. It was discontinued and is not compatible with the macOS that I am using now. So, I uninstalled the software long ago.
Yes, I mean iTunes. It is now called Music.
By experimenting around I discovered that the text in the Description tag in the Apple Music library was only added to the Music library and not to the music files. If I delete a music file with a Description tag from the library and reimport the file then the Description tag text is gone. So, the legacy software added the Description text only to the Apple Music library.
Is there a way to use MP3TAG to remove tags from the Apple Music library itself?
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 7:04am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/11 "2022-03-09T07:04:20Z")
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> Yes, I mean iTunes. It is now called Music.
In the old days, one could force iTunes to write all the information to the tags by converting the tag version - this conversion also could be from 2.3 to 2.3, so no data was lost.
I don't know whether this function still exists.
Like that you would get the descriptions into the files.
And then it is up to the player to update its database which means that MP3tag does not do anything in the iTunes library.
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 7:32am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/12 "2022-03-09T07:32:52Z")
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> So, the legacy software added the Description text only to the Apple Music library.
I've [read](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6605665) that iTunes also had a brief period where it allowed to edit the Description text for audio files. It could be that the legacy software was iTunes itself.
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> Is there a way to use MP3TAG to remove tags from the Apple Music library itself?
Unfortunately not. I'm keeping away from that undocumented beast 😅
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 7:56am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/13 "2022-03-09T07:56:10Z")
> [@Florian](#):
>
> I've [read](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6605665) that iTunes also had a brief period where it allowed to edit the Description text for audio files. It could be that the legacy software was iTunes itself.
Possible. But I believe I was using a third party editor that imported the iTunes library and I used it to add thousands of cover arts and to bulk edit tags. There were actually 2 softwares that worked together but had different function. It was a German software. It was quite large, not just a simple tool. I wish I could remember the names. It is possible that the software met its end when iTunes became the Music app.
> [@Detlef](#):
>
> Is there a way to use MP3TAG to remove tags from the Apple Music library itself?
> [@"Florian](#):
>
> Unfortunately not. I'm keeping away from that undocumented beast 😅
Bummer. Anyway, thanks for your help.
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 8:34am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/14 "2022-03-09T08:34:12Z")
I found the software in one of my backups. They are both from Equinux. One is called [CoverScout](https://www.equinux.com/us/products/Coverscout/index.html) and the other [SongGenie](https://download.equinux.com/files/web/Manual_SongGenie_2.2.7.pdf). I think I used SongGenie to create the Description tags. As of at least OSX 10.14 both are no longer working on the Mac.
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 9:40am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/15 "2022-03-09T09:40:00Z")
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> Anything you see in Apple Music that cannot be displayed in mp3tag's extended tags window are proprietary from their store and cannot be changed. These are buried in the packaging.
Just for clarification: there is iTunes, which is now renamed to Music on macOS (I often refer to it as Music.app to emphasize the difference to, well, music), and there is Apple Music (the music streaming service from Apple). The OP was referring to Music.app.
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> Local files should recognize the changed tags, but only if you run a refresh script or manually delete them from the library your library and add them back.
@Detlef, can you try refreshing the files as outlined here:
> [@Music App and Covers](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/music-app-and-covers/54550/6):
>
> Yes, UpdateTagInfo mentioned by @MotleyG seems to be for Windows only. On the Mac, I'm using a very simple script which you can use with the Script Editor.app on macOS: tell application "Music" set sel to selection if sel is {} then return repeat with aTrack in sel if class of aTrack is file track then refresh aTrack end repeat end tell You can run it while having the tracks to be reloaded selected in Music.app. I think it was inspired by [Doug's AppleScripts](https://dougscripts.com/itunes/index.php), but I can't find the corre…
If this doesn't work, I'd start from scratch with a new Music.app library (and keep the old one in a backup).
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 11:01am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/16 "2022-03-09T11:01:41Z")
Yes, when I said Apple Music library I meant the Music.app library.
As a reminder. In my case the text in the Description tag is only in the Music.app library. It is not saved in the music files. I know that I can remove the Description tag text by deleting and reload the song into the Music.app library. I would have to do that for hundereds of songs. That is not practical. Also editing manually in the Music.app library is not practical. One way to do it would be to refresh the content in the Music.app library. Force the library to reload all content. I will have a look at the Apple Script solution you mentioned. Thanks! I am familar with Doug's AppleScript. I used many of his scripts.
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/17 "2022-03-09T15:19:55Z")
I forgot that Apple changed iTunes-\>Music recently, sorry for the confusion. I was trying to differentiate from the mobile Apple Music app.
Something like this script may help to batch modify your descriptions? I'd try on a few files with backups before letting it loose on hundreds of files at once to be sure.
[https://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=enterdescriptiontext](https://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=enterdescriptiontext)
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/18 "2022-03-09T15:31:46Z")
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> Something like this script may help to batch modify your descriptions?
I've also seen this script but it says
> This script will not work on macOS 10.15+
which might be related to the changes to Music.app.
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2022, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/19 "2022-03-09T15:52:43Z")
It might need a tweak to work, but I have limited experience on macOS.
Unfortunately if the info is not actually in the file, mp3tag can't do anything to fix this.
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### Author:  [@Detlef](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Detlef)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/22 "2022-03-10T00:58:42Z")
Doug's AppleScripts are run-only. You can't edit them. The Doug's AppleScript you suggested (Enter Description Text for Selected v2.0) works in iTunes but not in the Music.app.
However, Doug's AppleScript "Sundry Info To Comments" works for me. I am now actually pretty sure that I used the iTunes version of this script to bulk edit the Description tag. Using Playlist Name \> Description is really convenient.
The only problem with this script is that one cannot empty the Description tag. It might be possible if I could create a playlist that has no name. It happened to me a couple of times that the Music.app had an error during startup of the app and created a playlist with no name. Unfortunately, I deleted them all. Next time I will keep one.
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2022, 8:24am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595/23 "2022-03-10T08:24:27Z")
> [@Florian](#):
>
> If this doesn't work, I'd start from scratch with a new Music.app library (and keep the old one in a backup).
I think this sums up the issue, no need to keep this topic artificially alive.
If you find a way to edit the iTunes Library-only description fields, please post your solution.
[Next page](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-it-possible-to-edit-the-description-tag-in-mp3tag/56595.md?page=2)