Data lost in database

[july60]

I wanted to store the catalog number of CD's and created a custom tag 'Catalog number' stored in Musicbee database only.
Today I noticed many were missing.
I defined a new custom tag 'Catalog Number'. It took a while for the whole 71.000 files to process,
only to find out that all catalogue numbers are now missing.
Is there a way to retrieve them? Greatful for any help..

[july60]

Update:
Many catalog numbers were restored by replacing the current .MBL with a backup.
However, how can I save them as metadata in the music file without again loosing them all?

[tjinc]

I have always found the MusicBee library database to be remarkably robust so I am not sure what might have happened for you to have lost this data - I can't say that I have ever lost any. But this does highlight the benefit of maintaining up-to-date backups!

As regards saving custom data to files - take a look at this post to see if you can gain an insight in how to proceed (but do ask again if you don't get anywhere):
Creating Custom Tags

[karbock]

I've just performed a test here, to be sure.
The transfer must be done in several steps.

===

First, let me just rephrase what you've tried so far (at least, what I've understood, so please correct what is not accurate).

Situation 1
* 'Catalog number' was stored in MB database only.

Situation 2
* You created (via Preferences -> Tags (1) -> [Define New Tags...]) a new custom tag named 'Catalog number'
* In Preferences -> Tags (1) -> custom tags, for 'Catalog number, you switched from 'Save to MusicBee database only' to 'Catalog number', and save.
=> MB automatically rescanned your entire collection and wiped 'Catalog number' in its database for all the tracks.

====

Now, what you must do (tested here with success).

Make sure you start again from Situation 1 (after restoring the correct .MBL).
Make sure that plugin "Additional Tagging & Reporting Tools" is installed.

Steps:
(1) In Preferences -> Tags (1) -> custom tags,
rename 'Catalog number' to 'Catalog number OLD'

(2) In Preferences -> Tags (1) -> [Define New Tags],
define a new custom Tag named 'Catalog number', and  [Save].

(3) In Preferences -> Tags (1) -> custom tags, in a free slot,
set:
display name = Catalog number
save to music file as tag = Catalog number

(4) Make tags 'Catalog number OLD' and 'Catalog number' visible in the current view (Album & Tracks, or Tracks)

Then, perform a test with a few tracks:
(5) MusicBee Main menu -> Tools -> Additional Tagging & Reporting Tools -> Copy Tag...
copy tag Catalog number OLD to tag Catalog number,
and [proceed]. (You may have to close the window when done, if it doesn't close automatically.)

(6) With the selected tracks, right-click -> Send to -> File rescan
to refresh the display => now, you must see the same values in Catalog number OLD and Catalog number.

(7) If it's OK, you can do the same for all the tracks.

( Then, you can wipe Catalog number OLD.

[july60]

Thanks to both of you. I must say that this is the second time I had a database glitch with the catalog numbers. Not funny with such a huge collection.

I can confirm the steps outlined in situation 1 & 2.
I'll try the proposed solution tomorrow.

[sveakul]

I've just performed a test here, to be sure.
The transfer must be done in several steps...

Dang!  Karbock, I want you on MY side!  Genius, man.

[july60]

Worked like a charm, I no longer have to fear losing the catalog numbers.
Hope the database behaves now.
Thanks a lot.

[karbock]

@july60: thanks for your feedback!

@sveakul:

When was my last contribution to 'Tips & Tricks' again? I think I have material for the next post.