How to Batch Edit in Lightroom (CC and Classic)

Batch editing is a technique used in photo and video editing where you apply the same adjustments or style to a group of photos or videos simultaneously, saving time and ensuring a consistent look across your collection. It’s like editing multiple files at once, making your work more efficient. There are many methods to do batch and bulk edit in Lightroom

Batch edit is a very useful and time-saving technique in 2024 while working on your photos and videos in Lightroom CC, Lightroom Mobile, and Lightroom Classic. In this guide, we’ll hold your hand and walk you through the simple yet mighty art of batch editing in Adobe Lightroom. So, let’s get started on this exciting journey!

How to batch edit in Lightroom?

Method 1: Copy and paste edits from one photo to another

When we have successfully applied all the desired changes to one photo and we want to apply those changes to another batch of photos, the best and the most recommended method is to copy the settings and paste them into all the remaining photos. It’s my favorite method when I am doing batch editing in Lightroom. This process is just like copy pasting mechanism we use in our daily tasks. Here are simple steps to follow;

Step 1: Choose an image that has the edits you want to copy. To copy all the edit settings, you can use the keyboard shortcut for Lightroom Command+C (on Mac) or Ctrl+C (on Windows).

Step 2: If you want to copy specific edit settings instead of copying all the adjustments, for instance, you may wish to copy Exposure adjustments without affecting Color adjustments. You can do this by using Command+Shift+C (on Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+C (on Windows). This action will open a dialog box where you can select which types of edits you want to copy. You can also utilize the Select menu to choose from different categories of changes, such as All, Modified, Default, or None.

Step 3: While holding down Command (on Mac) or Control (on Windows), click on the images you want to apply the edit settings to. Then, press Command+V (on Mac) or Ctrl+V (on Windows) to paste the edits onto all the selected images. This makes it easy to apply the same adjustments to a whole batch of photos quickly and effortlessly.

Quick Tip: There is one more quick method of copy paste but that works on single photo only, not batch editing In bulk. And that is when you apply editing to one image, you just click on the “previous” button on the right bottom corner to apply the same settings on the next photo after selecting that next photo.

Method 2: Apply presets during import

Apply batch editing with preset during import when you have a series of photos or videos from the same shoot or event that should share a uniform style or mood, streamlining your editing workflow.

Step 1: Access the Import Dialogue: Click on the “Import” button to access the import dialogue, where you can select and import your photos.

Step 2: Locate the “Apply During Import” Panel: In the import dialogue, find the “Apply During Import” panel. It’s typically on the right side of the screen.

Step 3: Choose a Preset: In the “Apply During Import” panel, you’ll see a section labeled “Develop Settings” or something similar. Click on the dropdown menu next to it.

Step 4: Select a Preset: From the dropdown menu, select the preset you want to apply automatically to all the images you’re importing.

Step 5: Complete the Import Process: Once you’ve chosen the preset, proceed with the import process as you normally would. Lightroom will now apply the selected preset to all the images during the import.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the preset settings are automatically applied to all the images you import into Lightroom, saving you time and ensuring a consistent style across your batch of photos.

Quick Tip: Before enabling automatic preset application during import, ensure that the chosen preset matches your desired style to maintain a consistent look across your imported images.

Method 3: Apply presets in the Library module

In case you don’t want to apply preset settings during import, you can apply preset after importing the photos. It is the same method you use to import a preset in Lightroom. One extra thing in this method is that you have to select a batch of photos on which you want to apply preset.

Step 1: Open Lightroom and navigate to the Library module.

Step 2: Select the photos you want to edit with the same style (use the Shift key for multiple selections). 

Step 3: Ctrl+Click: Click while holding the Ctrl key (Windows) on each photo you want to select.

Step 4: Shift+Click: Click on the first image, hold down the ‘Shift’ key, and click on the last image. This will select all the images in between as well.

Step 5: In the Library module, find the “Quick Develop” panel on the right side.

• Click on the “Saved Preset” dropdown (use the Tab key to navigate if needed).
• Choose the preset that suits your style from the dropdown menu (use arrow keys to navigate).
• Your selected photos will now have the same style, making your editing process quick and easy.

Method 4: Batch Edit With the Synchronisation Option

Synchronization in Lightroom Classic offers a more precise and comprehensive way to apply batch edits compared to manually applying settings to each photo, ensuring both efficiency and consistency.

Step 1: Click on the “Develop” module located in the top-right panel.

Step 2: Edit the First Image: Begin editing the first image in your batch. Make adjustments to exposure, contrast, or any other settings as needed. Remember that this method of synchronization works in the way that the changes in the first photo will be applied to other photos. So, edit the first image very carefully. 

Step 3: In the filmstrip or grid view at the bottom, select the images you want to apply these edits to. You can select multiple images by holding down the Ctrl key (Windows) or Command key (Mac).

Step 4: In the Develop module, navigate to the “Sync” button. It’s typically located at the bottom-right of your screen.

Step 5: A dialog box will appear where you can select which specific settings you want to sync. Check the boxes for the adjustments you made on the first image.

Step 6: Click the “Synchronize” button to apply the chosen settings to the selected images. Lightroom Classic will quickly sync the changes across your entire batch.

Quick Tip:

• The synchronization option applies changes to all the photos you selected. However, if you want to do some changes in the individual photo, you can use the “Reset” button in the Develop module to undo any unintended changes and start fresh if needed.
• Be cautious when using synchronization, as it applies changes to all selected photos. Make sure the edits on the first image are correct before syncing. However, you can also change the reference photo.

Method 5: Use ‘Auto Sync’ to Automatically Synchronize Edit

Synchronization is a very good tool but the main disadvantage of synchronization is that it only applies changes that have already been made. If you realize after synchronization that there is something you need to change. You can’t apply this change to the whole batch in batch editing. You just can’t change the first picture to apply changes to the whole batch of photos. In this case, auto-synchronization is very handy and beneficial. 

Auto-synchronization is just like the real-time mechanism. You apply any change to any image and this change will automatically apply to remaining photos in a batch. Simple steps to use this method of auto-synchronization are as follows:

Step 1: Enter the Develop Module in Lightroom Classic. Select the photos you want to edit simultaneously by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and clicking on them.

Step 2: Enable ‘Auto Sync‘ located at the bottom of the Develop module. Sometimes, the ‘Auto Sync’ option is hidden by default. Try clicking on the “Sync” button or ‘Auto Sync’ toggle located at the bottom of the Develop module to enable it. It may not always be displayed unless you activate it.

Step 3: Edit the first image in your selection with the desired adjustments. The edits will now apply to all selected images in real-time. Review and fine-tune the synchronized edits on individual photos if necessary.

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Be careful with ‘Auto Sync’ as any edits made to the first image will instantly apply to all selected photos. Ensure your initial edits are accurate.
• Remember to select all the photos you want to synchronize. If a photo is left out, it will not receive the synchronized adjustments.

Method 6: Batch Edit With Metadata

Metadata is information that’s automatically recorded into a photo when your camera takes it. This includes details such as the date of capture, lens settings, color settings, time of day, and more. You can use Lightroom to edit metadata for batches of photos, making it easier to manage and organize your image collection. 

Step 1: Select the group of photos you want to edit based on specific metadata attributes like the capture date or camera model.

Step 2: Access the Metadata panel in the Library module to edit information such as keywords, captions, or copyright details. While in the Library module, scroll over to the “Apply During Import” box on the right. Select “New” under the Metadata bar. This will open a comprehensive box with various metadata options.

Step 3: Once you’ve made the necessary changes, use the “Sync Metadata” option to apply these changes to all the selected photos. It’s essential to review and confirm that the changes are accurate and have been applied consistently across all the selected photos.

Using metadata for batch editing simplifies the process of organizing and managing your photos, making it easier to search for and categorize your image collection based on specific details.

How to batch edit in Lightroom Mobile?

Adobe Lightroom Mobile has a different edit workflow as compared to Lightroom CC on desktop and Lightroom Classic. However, Lightroom mod apk for mobile is easy to use than Lightroom Classic.

• Import your desired photos by tapping the “+” or “Add Photos” icon.
• In the Library or grid view tap the selected photo, and then choose the “Edit” option to open the editing panel for the first photo.
• While in the editing panel, find the “Copy” icon and tap it to copy the edits made to the first photo.

• Return to the Library or grid view, select the other photos you wish to edit, and tap the “Paste” icon to apply the same edits to the entire selection.

• Review the edited photos and make any fine-tuning adjustments as necessary by tapping on each photo and using the editing tools.
• Once you’re satisfied with the edits, save the batch of photos by tapping the “Save” or “Export” option within Lightroom Mobile.

Moreover, you can also use lightroom presets on mobile to apply editing settings in batch editing

How to Batch Edit in Lightroom: Conclusion

In conclusion, batch editing in Lightroom is a time-saving technique. You can use the “Copy and Paste” method to replicate edits across multiple photos or apply presets during import to ensure a consistent look. You can also apply synchronization across different photos. I tried my best that after reading this article you can do batch editing in Lightroom very easily and save your valuable time and energy. I hope that the question of how to do batch edit in Lightroom is answered satisfactorily. However, your suggestions and more productivity tips are always welcome.