Copying the songs in an iTunes playlist

iTunes has a command “File>Library>Export Playlist…” which only exports a text listing of the songs — it doesn’t copy the actual song files.

I just spent a good bit of time searching for a way to export the actual song files, and found a very nice solution. There is a free app called “iTunes Export” available at http://www.ericdaugherty.com/dev/itunesexport/#Download . Click the black bar labeled “INSTALL NOW”. Installation is a rather involved process, since it uses Adobe AIR, but it works.

• Use the iTunes command “File>Library>Export Playlist…” and select Format: XML before clicking Save.
• Start the “iTunes Export” application
• Browse to the XML file you just saved, then click Next. (Keep using the Next buttons, not the Finish button.)
• On the “Select Playlists to Export” screen, click the “Select All” button, otherwise the Next button will be grayed out. Click Next.
• On the “Select Export Options” screen, make sure to choose “Copy Per Playlist” as the “Copy Files” option. Click Next.
• I found that “iTunes Export” then froze my mouse so I couldn’t do anything until it had finished, but it worked perfectly.
• Yes, I made a donation. It’s strange — you have to click “Update Total” in the PayPal window.