Merge or split Events

You can reorganize your photos by merging two or more Events, or splitting an Event into two or more smaller ones.

To merge two or more Events:

  1. Click to select Events in the Source list.

  2. Select two or more Events you want to merge.

    Tip:  Drag your pointer to enclose two Events that are next to one another. To select Events that aren’t adjacent, click the first Event to select it, and then hold down the Command key as you click additional Events.

  3. Choose Events > Merge Events. (If you are in full-screen view, move your pointer to the top of the screen to make the menu bar appear.)

  4. In the dialog that appears, click Merge.

  5. If you want, rename the newly merged Event by clicking the title below the Event and typing a new name.

    You can also edit the name in the Information pane. To open it, click the Info button in the toolbar.

    Image of Info button

    Tip:  You can also merge two Events by dragging one Event on top of another Event.

To split an Event manually:

  1. Click to select Events in the Source list, and then double-click the Event you want to split.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • Click to select the photo that marks the beginning of the new Event. All photos from this point on will appear in the new Event.

    • If the photos you want to move into the new Event aren’t all adjacent, press Command as you click only the photos you want.

  3. Choose Events > Split Event. (If you are in full-screen view, move your pointer to the top of the screen to make the menu bar appear.)

    You can also press the S key. (Learn more about other keyboard shortcuts.)

  4. Click the All Events button (in the top-left corner of the Events window) to return to Events view.

  5. Below your new Event, click the placeholder title and type a name.

    You can also type a new name in the Information pane. To open it, click the Info button in the toolbar.

    Image of Info button

To autosplit an Event:

You can split one or more Events into smaller Events based on the date or time the photos were taken.

For example, if you have an Event that includes photos taken during an entire day, such as at a birthday brunch and an evening barbecue, you can have iPhoto split that larger grouping into smaller Events that cover a shorter time period.

  1. Set the Event time frame in iPhoto preferences.

    Photos imported from now on will use this time frame until you change it.

  2. To split an Event that’s already in your photo library, select the Event and choose Events > Autosplit Selected Events.

    The Event you selected is split into smaller Events based on the new time frame you set in step 1, but the other Events in your library are unaffected unless you repeat step 2 for them.

    Tip:  You can also select more than one Event to autosplit. Drag your pointer to enclose two or more Events that are next to one another. To select Events that aren’t adjacent, click the first Event to select it, and then hold down the Command key as you click additional Events.