# Create/Analyze m3u Files

The operation of Create m3u files depends on whether Yate is operating in Album Mode or Playlist Mode. More information on open modes can be found here.

When in Album Mode, the function will create m3u files in each folder containing files in the current selection. Only files in the current selection will be represented in the created files. If the album name is unique for each represented folder, the created file will be named album name. If the album name is not unique, the created file will be named Yate.

When in Playlist Mode, a file save dialog will appear where you select the name and location of the file to be produced. An option will be presented to opt for absolute paths. The default is to generate relative paths, if possibile. Note that the setting is persistent. The produced file will contain an entry for every file in the file list regardless of the current selection.

When in Album mode, you will be given the option of producing a single file as if in Playlist Mode. Create Single m3u File... is a convenience menu item which always produces a single file.

When producing the file, Yate will save it with a .m3u extension if the contents of the file can be saved with the encoding specified in Preferences - Cur Sheets/m3u Files. If the filenames contain characters outside the encoding, the file will be saved as a UTF8 file with the extension .m3u8. Note that if an m3u file is created and an m3u8 file of the same name exists, it will be deleted. If an m3u8 file is created, if an m3u file of the same name exists, it will be deleted.

Unlesss told to do otherwise, Yate writes the files with relative paths whenever possible and if not uses absolute paths. A produced file will contain all relative or all absolute paths.

Unless you choose the Write absolute paths option, Yate will attempt to write the file with relative paths whenever possible. A produced file will contain all relative or all absolute paths.

You can choose to write the file encoded in a Standard, Extended or Yate format. More information on the formats can be foundin m3u File Formats.

Note that the Create m3u Files action statement has more capabilities than this UI based method.

When m3u{8} files are loaded errors are silently ignored. These errors be can caused by files which cannot be located and duplicate entries. The Analyze m3u Files menu item will perform an analysis of one or more selected files and will report all errors. You will be prompted to select one or more files to analyze. If you choose a folder, all m3u(8) files in the folder will be analyzed.