iTunes does not add files to library in the proper order

When users add song files to iTunes, they can import them either by using the "Import" option in the "File Menu", or by dragging the files into the iTunes window. When the latter is used, many times the files will import in a seemingly random order and then display and play out of order as well.

Niku:

"This problem may seem trivial to some, but I find it to be annoying. An example of what I'm talking about are two Piano Concertos I just installed from a CD. Let's call the parts, 1, 2, and 3 from Grieg's concerto, and 4, 5, and 6 from Tchaikovsky's. The problem is that when I look at my iTunes library screen, the parts are arranged as follows: Grieg 2, Tchaikovsky 6, Grieg 3, Grieg 1, Tchaikovsky 4, Tchaikovsky 5."

iTunes can display songs based on various criteria, including song name, track number, artist name, etc. When songs are added to the library, available metadata is used and added to the song's information in iTunes. If items such as track number are missing, then this can mess up the play order in iTunes. Additionally, if many songs are listed under the same album name but with the same track number, then this will also confuse iTunes. An example of this is if users have "Greatest Hits" albums from two artists, and in iTunes the albums are only called "Greatest Hits". If sorted by album name, the songs from both albums will display and play as if they are from the same album, and can cause playback confusion in iTunes.

Fixes

Ensure song information is unique For each album and song, ensure the song's metadata (located by right-clicking the song and choosing "Get information") is unique. Sort the songs by various attributes (especially album name) and if they list in order by track number, then the songs should play in that order. However, if not then users should highlight all the songs in the album and get information on all of them. Then edit the specific information that would be unique to the album only (most likely everything except for the track number) and check the checkboxes next to the input fields to ensure those fields get edited, then apply the changes. For album names like "Greatest Hits", it may be useful to include more information, such as "Artist Name: Greatest Hits". After the changes propagate, get information on each song and ensure the track number is correct. Doing these steps will ensure small differences in the information (such as extra spaces in album name) are removed and the names are uniform across all songs being edited.

Quit and relaunch iTunes When songs are added, they may initially play out of order, based on which songs were first imported into iTunes. Only upon reloading the iTunes library will the songs be recognized in their proper track order. Therefore, after importing songs by dragging them to the iTunes window, restart the application to have them play sequentially.

Import songs in order When users select song files for importing into iTunes, the Finder will base priority on which songs were selected first in the Finder. To select files in order, press the command key and then select the songs one-by-one to highlight them and then drag them to iTunes. This should have them import in the order in which they were selected.

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