Merge Bookmarks On Separate Devices While Retaining Folder Structure
Hi everyone,
What would be the best way to merge the bookmarks on a desktop & a laptop while retaining the bookmark folder structure?
I've organized the bookmarks on both the laptop & desktop in a similar folder structure, right from the tree/nests to the naming. (I'll go back over this once & ensure that both are identical). The bookmarks that the folders contain, however, are mostly different, with the odd duplicate entry.
1. So if I had to merge the bookmarks on both these devices such that, once finished, they'd both have the same bookmarks in the same folders respectively, what would be the best way to go about it.
2. Also, once done, how do I set things up so I'm not required to go through the process again?
I've read up a bit on the forums about importing & exporting bookmarks. My understanding is that exporting & importing will append one device's bookmarks to the other. In this particular instance, I'd have 2 folders sharing the same name but containing different bookmarks. From there, I'd have to drag & drop bookmarks between folders, if I want single folders. Is my understanding correct?
The other option of syncing seems to fit the bill, but I haven't come across any information about how syncing will affect the folder structure.
Thanks for your time. Much obliged.
All Replies (5)
Here is an idea; Add a folder that lists bookmarks by type. Example; /work /home /games /news
Thanks for replying. However, I did't quite understand you. Could you please elaborate?
To further explain my original question - I have a bookmark folder titled 'Art' under which there are sub-folders such as 'Inspiration', 'Tutorials', 'Reference' etc. This bookmark structure exists on both my PC & laptop.
What I would like to achieve is have all of the bookmarks from both these devices combined, present on at least one. I would also like for the bookmarks to be sorted under their respective sub-folders, the way it is currently.
So, say I import over the bookmarks from my laptop to my PC. My PC should then have both the bookmarks that currently reside on the PC as well as the ones imported from the laptop. However, while doing this, I'd like for the bookmarks from the laptop filed under Art>Inspiration to go under Art>Inspiration on the PC.
Is there any way of achieving this?
Hope that makes much more sense. Thanks for your time.
Modified by kidrow
There is the built in sync. But note that users have sometimes lost data.
There are two ways for Firefox to export/import bookmarks. They are Json and HTML files. Json files are compacted while HTML files can be opened with a text viewer.
Another difference is when Json files are imported, they overwrite the current file. HTML files, however, merge the current with the imported file.
To open the Bookmarks Manager, press the Alt or F10 key bring up the tool bar, and select Bookmarks. Hot key is <Control>(Mac=<Command>) <Shift> B.
Once the window is open, at the top of the page, press the button labeled Import and Backup. Select Export Bookmarks To HTML, and follow the prompts and save it to a HTML file. Copy the file to another computer. Repeat the instructions above, BUT select Import Bookmarks From HTML,
I have never done what you are trying to do, due to my keeping two different sets of bookmarks and only having one device with multiple Profiles.
But IMO doing an Export & then Import using bookmarks HTML format might not be the best way to accomplish your goal. I think that the upper level of folders might get merged, but the lower levels might just get duplicated. I think that using Sync might be better at getting a "merge" at more levels of folder hierarchy.
As Fred mentioned, the JSON backups don't merge - the current bookmarks would be overwritten in the target installation. HTML format does a merge, but I don't think the 'merge' extends to all folder levels. But I haven't done a complete Import / merge in 11 or 12 years now, and that was just once or twice as I recall, so my recollection is a bit fuzzy.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-set-sync-my-computer https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-sync-troubleshooting-and-tips
Thank you both for your time. & apologies for the late reply.
I haven't yet attempted to sync the bookmarks. When time permits, I will back up the bookmarks on both the devices, & then try & sync them. Hopefully, it'll work out fine.
Will post the results after I've done that. Cheers!