If I "export as catalog" a folder, do the collections get exported also?

[bearspa]

I have a folder with multiple subfolders in it of pictures in LR Classic. From these folders, I have created several collections. If I export the folder as a catalog, will the collections be automatically be exported also? If not, do I need to export each collection separately as a catalog, or can I somehow do them all as a group?

Thanks.

[john beardsworth]

Yes, just try it.

Not all collections and keywords are exported into the new catalogue. It depends on the photos you select for the Export as Catalog - if a photo is in a (dumb) collection, that collection will be included.

[bearspa]

Hi John. Thanks.

You suggested that I should try it. Could you explain how I can check if it worked?

Thanks

[john beardsworth · Accepted solution]

Just select a few pictures that you know are in collections, and run Export as Catalog. Ensure you only export the selected images, and don't include the negatives (for now). The export to a folder on the desktop.

Now close LR and double click the catalogue inside this folder. You can then see what's there. Afterwards, File > Open Recent and open your usual catalogue. The desktop folder can now be deleted.

[bearspa]

Thanks. That worked perfectly. Fortunately, I only had "dumb" collections.  For future reference, were you implying that Smart collections wouldn't be saved in an export?

[john beardsworth]

I just couldn't remember