Yes, that's the dilemma, isn't it? The fact that it displays tags for
Marco wrote:the focused item only
But it
admin wrote:applies tags to all selected items
And what to do about it? Here are a few suggestions:
Display the existing tags in the Tags: field if only one item is selected. For multiple selections, instead of tag names have a message regarding multiple selections and, like the default behaviour now, that message would be selected for overwrite when the Tags: the field is entered (by click or tab).
Utilize the "Edit tags using a list" button at the end of the Tags: field. Could it pop up automatically when multiple selections are made? Or the message I mentioned above could say something like "Multiple selections made, Click ... (change button name?) to Edit tags using a list" Or have a popup first that says something like "Multiple selections made, Click OK to Edit tags using a list" then popup the list on click OK - with the checkboxes pre-checked for tags of all selected items.
Another bit of a concern I have with tagging through IP is that it 'sets' rather than 'adds' tags which, again, limits its use. And, to the unaware, it would be devastating if they selected hundreds of files to Add one tag to all of them and then find they've overwritten the existing tags.
Maybe you could look at 'options' to Add or Set - with perhaps a popup with an explanation of what will happen (add or set) and that it will happen to all selected items (including "don't remind me about this again").
But different scenarios may require one or the other so, even though you don't want to "complicate the Tags tab by further elements", you could maybe replace the single Apply button, with two smaller buttons - Add and Set.
Whether or not there are any further changes made, I feel the most important thing is to make clear what is going to happen (add or set) and what it is going to happen to (all selected items). That way, no nasty surprises
