Exclamation marks in iphoto

This seemingly not so unfamiliar problem happened to me after a iphoto 11 software update. Does anybody know if I can simple restore from a timemachine back up?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4927?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Alternatives:
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. 
Regards
TD 

Similar Messages

  • 5000 exclamation marks in iPhoto

    Hi,
    When Aperture 3 was released I duly purchased it, imported my 18000-or-so item iPhoto library, and got to work. When today I noticed one particular photo conspicuously missing, I went back to iPhoto to see if I could reimport it.
    The thumbnail of the photo was still in iPhoto - opening the photo caused a big low-res exclamation mark to appear (even though, for a split-second, the actual full-size photo appears). I find that roughly 1 in 4 images in iPhoto does this - there's no apparent rhyme or reason, and most of them I haven't edited in any way. The number of images in both iPhoto and Aperture is now 13000 instead of 18000; I am fairly certain everything was fine before importing to Aperture.
    I tried rebuilding the iPhoto library twice (by holding Option-Command and opening iPhoto) but it doesn't seem to change anything, I still get the same exclamation marks for every few photos.
    Any ideas how I can get those images back?
    Thank you!

    Thanks for your reply, and sorry for the long gap. Had to take a little time off due to the frustration of it all.
    What I realize now is that pictures are actually disappearing, I can't recover them from anywhere.
    Can you recommend a way to get all the source files out of whatever iPhoto or Aperture libraries they might be in, put them on a hard drive and have a safe backup? And then I can build new iPhoto or Aperture libraries from those.
    About the pictures disappearing, here's one example, I'm afraid there are going to be lots like this:
    I see the thumbnail for a file called "IMG_2542", open it and get the exclamation mark, which didn't worry me too much until realizing the actual file seems to have totally vanished ("Show file" leads to the folder where it once was, but is not anymore: searching yields no results - I've got IMG_2541 and IMG_2543. Same thing happens when looking at Time Machine backups from months and months ago. I haven't deleted the file myself, I believe all this started when I installed Aperture and tried to import the iPhoto library (and one or the other failed).

  • I might have messed up my files and now have the big exclamation mark on a lot (but not all of my iphotos) My document folder was full of photos and I tried to organize it by putting it into a separate folder but now I can't see my photos :-( please help?

    Hi there, I have the same problem as I've read on some of the questions posted although the answers hasn't been much help to me with regards to the big exclamation mark on iphotos when I try to open my photos.  For some reason my photo files was stored in my document folder and you can imagine how that must have looked, very unorganized.  When I tried to move the photos from there to another file that is just for my photos.  Now I can't open them in iphotos and although I tried to undo my mistake it still doesn't want to work.. is there any way I can find all the images on my computer and fix my problem by storing them somewhere else without damaging the files?
    Please help me find all my photos as I would be shattered if I were to loose any...
    Thank you.

    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
    If that fails:
    Option 2
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
    Regards
    TD

  • IPhoto show a exclamation mark instead of the picture

    Hi all folks,
    iPhoto 8.1.2 (iLife '09) show an exclamation mark only, instead of the picture. The thumbnail overview shows the picture and in the edit mode I got the picture too. All the time I open the picture with Preview, I got the picture, but iPhoto can't. In general I have no problems with iPhoto, all pictures are shown.
    My question, does someone know where the exclamtion mark (a black exclamation mark in a white circle) came from.
    Thanks for any help,
    Lutz

    The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
    If that fails:
    Option 2
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords, faces and places back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
    Regards
    TD

  • I cannot see my photos in iphoto when I open it...it just shows the albums/titles but only an exclamation mark when I click on the picture.  How can I fix this please?

    I have downloaded some photos and all I see now is a black sqaure with an exclamation mark in it. If I double click and make them full screen I can see them, but not as thumbnails. Please help :-( In the EVENTS, they are just black sqaures.

    The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
    If that fails:
    Option 2
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
    This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. 
    Regards
    TD

  • Iphoto thumbnails ok but have triangle with an exclamation mark when I click on the thumbnail so can't view it as a bigger picture.

    In my iPhoto the thumbnails are all present but when I click on them the bigger picture is not visible and I can see a triangle with an exclamation mark in it. Has anyone got any suggestions?

    That means iPhoto has lost the link to the original file.
    What version of iPhoto?
    Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?
    (A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package
    A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.)
    Have you used any apps to "clean" or "tune up" your Mac recently?
    Have you deleted any images from 'All My Files' or 'All My Photos'?

  • Why do I get an black exclamation mark in a black triangle on some of my photos in iPhoto?

    Hi
    I go to my events - get up a section of photos and they all look fine in the 'event'. But if I want to edit them the exclamation mark comes up. And if I want to use them to illustrate my blog etc. they will not allow me to select these specific photos - when I click on them they will not highlight.
    Any ideas, guys?

    The exclamation mark is an indication that the file path/link to the original file has been broken. Make a temporary, backup copy (select the library and type Command+D) and apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
    Fix #1
    Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
    Select the options identified in the screenshot. 
    Fix #2
    Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
    Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
    Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
    In the next  window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
    Click on the Create button.
    Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
    OT

  • Please help me! I imported my pics to iphoto but I can't open them now. I can't see them on full Screen/edit them like before. All I get is a exclamation mark when I double click on them. I don't have copies, can someone please help me?

    I imported all my pics to Iphoto and I can't open/edit them now. When I double click on them, I only get an exclamation mark. Please help me I don't have copies. I tried burning them to a cd but it didn't work. Can someone please help me?

    The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
    What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later...
    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
    If that fails:
    Option 2
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
    Regards
    TD

  • I have iPhoto 09 version 8.1.2 when I double click on some of the pictures, I see exclamation mark.

    Hello,
    I have iPhoto 09 version 8.1.2, when I double click on some of the pictures I see exclamation mark instead of my pictures.
    Thank you
    Fereydoun

    The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
    If that fails:
    Option 2
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
    Regards
    TD

  • Re iphoto: when I double click on a thumbnail i get e grey screen with exclamation mark..can't access my photos to edit, order prints etc

    Was wondering if anyone can help...I am not very computer friendly but want to be able to edit my photos, use them as jpegs, order prints etc. When I double click on a thumbnail ( am presuming the thumbnails are the small photos ) I get a grey screen with an exclamation mark on it. I cannot drag the thumbnail onto the desk top it just pings back. This doesn't happen with all the thumbnails and has been a problem since we upgraded to snowleopard. I recently reinstalled photos from the memory card from my camera and they are alright. I am presuming that the old photos are stuck in there somewhere if only I knew the right buttons to press to get them out. Thanks, Jane Thomas

    Easiest: Restore from your back up.
    Otherwise:
    Try these in order - from best option on down...
    1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
    2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
    3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
    To create and populate a new *iPhoto 6* library:
    Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
    Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
    Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
    Go into the iPhoto Library on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
    When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
    In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

  • I've been using Iphoto as a primary download program for years. As of today, when I click a thumbnail to open the photo, I get a black screen with an exclamation mark on some shots. Also, these shots can't be dragged into Adobe Bridge. Would love help!

    I use Iphoto as my primary download tool, then drag images into Adobe Bridge. Just today, when I tried to open a photo by clicking a thumbnail, all I got was an image of an exclamation mark and I couldn't drag the shot either. These are images I've successfully opened and dragged before. I would love guidance from anyone who knows a fix for this. Thanks!  John

    The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
    What version of iPhoto?
    As Larry says, your workflow doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If you're using iPhoto only for downloading then you're best off using Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) and just keep the whole database element out if it. If you're using iPhoto also to organise, then what are you using Bridge for? Anything you do in Bridge - or Photoshop - is unavailable in iPhoto if you work this way.
    Regards
    TD

  • IPhoto 8.1.2 and iPhone 5 import photos grey exclamation mark.

    I'm running OS X 10.6.8.
    iPhoto 09 version 8.1.2 and a current, up-to-date iPhone 5.
    I was importing photos and movies from the phone into iPhoto fine until a couple weeks ago. Now, when I look back - some photos never did import at all, or others are visible as thumbnails but the full view is a grey exclamation mark.
    The "original" images don't appear to be in the iPhoto "view hidden" contents, either.
    I've run the option-command-launch routine and rebuilt thumbs, library, but no good. As a matter of fact, when I try to rebuild the library from backup I get a warning I need to upgrade. I'm not sure what that means? ...upgrade version of iPhoto 09 or uprade to the 2011 edition?
    I'm not totally against upgrading to 2011 but that would require upgrading my OS, too. It seems a bit much to solve a glitch/corruption in iPhoto that was working a few weeks ago?
    Thanks for your time in reading. I'd appreciate any help you can offer.
    -Dan

    Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
    Fix #1
    Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
    Select the options identified in the screenshot. 
    Fix #2
    Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
    Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
    Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
    In the next  window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
    Click on the Create button.
    Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
    OT

  • I get an error message when I try to use share function on IPhoto. I get the triangle icon with an exclamation mark inside of it.

    I get an error message when I try to use the share function on iPhoto. When I try to share photos via email a triangle icon with an exclamation mark appears. Why can't I use share function?

    The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
    What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later
    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
    If that fails:
    Option 2
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
    This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. 
    Regards
    TD 

  • Every time I click on a photo in Iphoto a big exclamation mark appears

    So I recently went on vacation and took tons of photos/videos from my Iphone. When I got back home I uploaded them all to Iphoto and when it asked if I want to keep my photos or delete them I accidentally clicked delete. The problem though is that now when I try to sync that specific album it won't go, and when I click on one of the photos from Iphoto a big exclamation mark appears. It also won't let me email or move anything from that album. PLEASE HELP ME!!! I really want some of those photos on my phone!!

    That symbol turns up when iPhoto can't find the original photo.
    Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?
    A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package
    A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

  • I am having difficulty including text with iPhotos I want to share through email.  I get a red exclamation mark along with a statement stating that the text doesn't fit into the designated text area.  This is so frustrating.

    I am having difficulty including text with iPhotos I want to share through email.  I get a red exclamation mark along with a statement stating that the text doesn't fit into the designated text area.  This is so frustrating. Before iLire11 I was easily able to share photos with email messages.  Arghhhh!

    In the iPhoto preferences you can set Apple Mail as your e-mail client and then it will work exactly as before
    LN

Maybe you are looking for