Is it possible to extend Lightroom Catalog (database)

[AndyEllen]

I would like to add columns (information) to the Lightroom catalog.  For example, I would like to create a custom column to track status of a particular image.  Can this be done?

[JP Hess]

Not from within Lightroom. Whether or not you could do it with SQL Lite, I don't know. But then you're modifying the structure that Lightroom recognizes. I don't think it's a good idea to try. There might be some plug-ins that would allow you to do that. But I'm not a user of many plug-ins and don't keep current on the plug-ins that are available.

And what do you mean by status? Couldn't you color code or use a star rating and accomplish the same thing?

[AndyEllen]

Thanks for the quick response. I think I will just use a temporary keyword.

Andy Boruta

<http://andyboruta.com>andyboruta.com<http://andyboruta.com>

[JP Hess]

I think that is a wise choice. There just isn't any way to modify the catalog structure from within Lightroom. And even if you did find a way to modify it, any new field wouldn't be accessible from within Lightroom. I think you would be opening yourself up to corrupting the catalog. In my opinion, it isn't worth the risk.

[johnrellis]

I would like to add columns (information) to the Lightroom catalog.  For example, I would like to create a custom column to track status of a particular image.  Can this be done?

It can be done safely by writing a plugin: Adobe Lightroom SDK for plugin & extension development | Adobe I/O

But as already discussing, using a keyword, a collection, a color label, or a metadata text field are usually easier and get the job done.

[AndyEllen]

Thanks for marking this as helpful.

Andy Boruta

<http://andyboruta.com>andyboruta.com<http://andyboruta.com>