Importing photos - exclamation point (!)

I've read several of the posts regarding "missing thumbnails" in an iPhoto library. My current library is fine. However, I just returned from a vacation and am trying to import my pictures and all of the new photos I am trying to add only show up as blank white boxes and when I double click on them I get the grey/black exclamation point. I tried to rebuild the library (chose the top 3 options) and still not working. Please help! Thanks.

Brandon
The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
The most common cause of this is User Activity in the iPhoto Library Folder in the Finder.
Have you altered, moved or renamed anything in the iPhoto Library Folder?
If you haven't, then try rebuilding the database. Hold down the apple and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild.
You can also try to correct the File Permissions on the Library: Download BatchMod from
http://macchampion.com/arbysoft/
And apply it to the iPhoto Library Folder using the settings found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/toad.hall/.Pictures/Forum/BatChmod.png
(Credit to Old Toad for this one).
If that fails, you may have a damaged database file:
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
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 back.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event 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.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

P2 import red exclamation point "Error: unknown"

I was shooting something this weekend where the power went out in the building for about 5 seconds and now of course there is a 40 minute clip that I cannot import because of an error. I read on other threads about turning off 'dropped frames' from the preference pane, but that didn't do anything.
What are my options here?

trash prefs, restart. Reload card...some of the basics.
Do you see the image play in the L&T player?
Shane

Can't import Photos! Exclamation point only...

First off, I've already rebuilt the database.
Suddenly, when i try to import from SD or iPhone, the preview thumbnail is imported and shows up in events, but the MAIN PHOTO IS NOT IMPORTED! ONly the thumbnail is there.
I've looked in the iPhoto folders too and I can see the imported thumbnail but there is no full rez file to accompany it. So when I click on the thumbnail, I get the dreaded exclamation point!
Please, if anyone has any idea of what's going on or how to solve, let me know. I can see there are MANY other users having this problem after reading the boards. I've yet run across the solution though.
Once again, this suddenly started and all imports only bring over a thumbnail and not the full rez photo itself.
This is a shared family library (and has been for years), that resides in the shared folder.

TD,
I'm running a managed library. The library is in the shared folder so it is accessible by each account on the imac. We're using the internal drive of the imac.
No preferences have been changed and I check it just now too.
This problem has just started mysteriously and is only a problem on NEW imports. The image data is not being transferred, only the thumbnail. When I go into the iphoto library manually, I can see the small thumbnail image but there is no full rez image to go with it in the library at all.
I've tried a spotlight search and there is just no full rez info being imported.
Any advice would be appreciated.

HT4101 Exclamation point in red when I try to import photos onto iPad from SD card

I get an exclamation point in a red circle when I try to import photos from my SD card using the CAmera Connector accessory. I have successfully used this method for over a year, but all of a sudden, I'm unable to import. I have installed iOS 6. Please help!

Hi mpt95,
I have the same problem with met 3rd gen iPad.
I tested with 2 camera's and 2 different sd-card. Here are the results:
Canon Ixus: SDHD class 4: Connection oke, Import just fine
Canon Ixus: SDHD class 10: Connection oke, Import just fine
Nikon D3500: : SDHD class 4: Connection oke, no import! Get the red Exclamation point
Nikon D3500: : SDHD class 10: Connection oke, no import! Get the red Exclamation point
Problem is not related to the SDcards, but the combination with the Nokon D3200.
Read on the net that pictures should be in the DCIM folder, and should bet no longer then 8 Characters.
I checkeg this, and it was correct. The red exclamation mark is a mystery and I cannot find the solution on the net. So far.
What camera are you using?

When I click on a photo I see a yield sign with an exclamation point in it.

When I'm in an event I can see all my photos for that event, but when I open one of the photos I get an exclamation point in a yield sign shaped ICON. Is the photo damaged ? How do I repair this condition and how do I avoid it next time. Not all my photos have this problem, but the ones that do look like they are from the same import set. I know at one time they were OK.
Ward

Ward,
what is your iPhoto version?
The exclamation point shows that iPhoto has lost the connection between the thumbnails of your photos and the edited versions or original image files. You need to rebuild the iPhoto library and to reconnect the versions to the original image files. Try first, if the built-in first aid tools will help (launch iPhoto with the key combination ⌥⌘ held down to bring up the first-aid panel and try to rebuild the database.
iPhoto 6 and later: Rebuilding the iPhoto library
If that does not help, use iPhoto Library Manager: see Old Toad's Post here (Fix 2):
Re: iphoto crashed
Be sure to backup the iPhoto library before trying any rebuild options!
Regards
Léonie

Only an exclamation point shows up when I click a thumbnail in my iphoto folder. Is there any way to recover these photos by using the thumbnails?

Only an exclamation point shows up when I click a thumbnail in my iphoto folder. Is there any way to recover these photos by using the thumbnails? Please help. Thanks!

That exclamation mark is displayed when iPhoto cannot link to the original file. First make sure you are running a "managed" library by checking iPhoto's Advanced preference pane to make sure the checkbox to copy files into the library during import is checked.
Click to view full size
If it is checked you can try the following: make a temporary, duplicate copy of the library 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

Black box with exclamation point instead of photo

I recently switched from a PC to Mac and used a transfer cable to move my photos into iPhoto. Small thumbnails look fine, but when I open some of them all I get is a black box with an exclamation point inside a white circle. This seems to apply only to SOME of the pics that were originally SCANNED into my PC as jpeg files. Although I suspected this was how photos imported, I did try the Rebuild feather, but that didn't work. Is still have my originals on my old PC, but I'd like to get rid of it. Is there still a way I can access what's on my Mac -- or successfully import from my PC?
Thanks in advance for the assistance!

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

When i try to see some of my photos the photos appear and when i click on the individual photos I get a circle with an exclamation point. What's going on?

Why am I getting a circle with an exclamation point when I try to acces my photos ?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) 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 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event 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.

Exclamation point pops up when viewing photos??

I just imported a set of photos from a new camera that I haven't imported from before. I can see all the pictures when scrolling through the album, but when I double click one to open it larger I get this big exclamation point image. iPhoto also fails to show the same set of pictures in an iPhoto slideshow, although it shows them in a screensaver-slideshow fine. It can't be the format, because they're JPEG just like all of my other pictures. What's wrong?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
How to progress? Depends on the version of iPhoto. If it's 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

Photo GONE? grey exclamation point in iPhoto6

Okay...this is crap. Apparently if you do ANY EDITING to any picture whatsoever outside of iPhoto itself (this includes using things like Photoshop), EVEN IF ITS UNDER THE SAME EXACT NAME, for some reason, iPhoto can't retrieve the the actual file again and a big grey exclamation point appears in place of your photo.
yeah thanks apple. so much for "ease of use".
white macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
looking to get a macbook

iPhoto can handle many formats. The caveat is that the format not be changed. If you do, while going thru iPhoto to edit, create a layered or other type of edited file that requires the psd extension you need to do a Save As to the desktop and then import as a new file.
I've run some tests editing files in the Originals folder with Photoshop that I accessed outside iPhoto and did not get the "!".
Do any of those "!" files have the Revert to Original menu option available? If so activate it to get the original file back. I doubt if you'll find any but it's worth a try.
If you know which files they are and can find them via the Finder you can copy them to the desktop, delete them from within iPhoto as you normally would and then re-import from the Desktop.
Using 2 Image Editors in iPhoto
If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and Photoshop or Photoshop Elements without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PE/PSE as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". Then if you can Control-click on an image, the drop down menu will allow you to edit in your selected external editor.

Black screen with exclamation point when trying to view photos

In iphoto 8, when I try to make some pics bigger by clicking on it, the screen changes to a black screen with a white exclamation point in it. This does not happen to all the photos, only some of them. Can someone tell me what happened and how do I fix it?
Thanks!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event 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.
Regards
TD

When i enlarge photo (on some of my pictures) it quickly changes to a triangle with an exclamation point in the middle - how do I correct this problem?

It started a few days ago. I was looking through my photos. I could check them when they were smaller - as soon as I enlarged them - screen turned black, a grey triangle with an exclamation point appeared in the middle. It is not changing every picture - just some. How do I get rid of this problem? What caused this in the first place? Any help would be appreciated.

Try the following:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
2 - Run Option #4, Rebuild Database, followed by Option #1 if needed.
Happy Holidays

When I open Iphoto, I see all my photos for a second and then they disappear and only a white dotted box appears. Then I click on it and for photos is a triangle with an exclamation point. It doesn't happen to all but quite a lot. how to I get them back

When I open Iphoto, I see all my photos for a second and then they disappear and only a white dotted box appears. Then I click on it and for photos is a triangle with an exclamation point. It doesn't happen to all but quite a lot. how to I get them back

Have you recently deleted photos using the finder or run clean up software? Is so restore your backup
If not the backup your iPhoto Library and launch iPhoto while depressing the option and command keys. Rebuild your database
LN

I accidently click on ''Import the list'' but now all the music have an exclamation point I think they are all in Musique.txt on the desk... How can i take back these music on my library? I tried : Import the list and take Music.txt , but it do not work

I accidently click on ''Import the list'' but now all the music have an exclamation point I think they are all in Musique.txt on the desk... How can i take back these music on my library? I tried : Import the list and take Music.txt , but it do not work

Ok, I had a glitch, forced to restart, and lost my train of thought.
Reinstalling iTunes should fix the major issue that might have gone wrong, perhaps your explaination points will disappear and everything will be peachy again.
But if they don't, you can open the XML file in iTunes Folder using a Text edit program to see what the common pathname is to the iTunes Music folder or where your content is located.
If you moved the itunes folder, it needs to go back.
I can't download iTunes to my Vista virtual machine to test it out right now because iTunes is down, so I can't verify the pathname, perhaps your issue and the iTunes being down are related somehow?
You don't want to import all your music again, but it's a option, but you lose all your playlists, that's what I'm trying to recover.
If oyu don't have a whole lot of playlists, then simply select all the explaimation point music and delete, select File from the menu and import your itunes folder again.

Photo transfer and update from 5-year-old Macbook to new iMac using Time Machine resulted in half of 2014's photos being un-viewable (only a gray triangle with exclamation point shows). How do I fix it?

I turned on my new iMac for the first time today and set it up using a backup on Time Machine from my old Macbook, which is running OS X 10.9.5 and has iPhoto version 8.1.2. When I went to open iPhoto on the new computer, it said I had to update the photos to work with the new version. Now, my photos from part of July 26, 2014 and onwards do not show up in the new iPhoto. The albums and spaces for the photos are there, but only a gray triangle with exclamation point shows in their place. Every other photo from 2003 to half of July 26, 2014 appears to have updated without issue. None of the fixes/rebuilds I tried worked. When I open up TimeMachine, it has no backups that I can use for the new computer (perhaps, because I wanted to still have access to use my old backups for my old laptop so told it not to use them for the new computer). My most recent half a year's photos are the ones I need the most. How do I make them appear on my new iMac?

Do you still have the old Mac? Then check, if the iPhoto Library has the newer events from July 26 onwards.
If yes, copy the iPhoto library from the old Mac to the new mac by connecting both computers. And then try to upgrade the copied library.
If you no longer have access to the old mac, you could try to inherit the backup of the old Mac and try to restore the iPhoto Library from it.
See Pondini's FAQ: http://pondini.org/TM/B6.html

Importing photos - exclamation point (!)

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for