Lightroom Catalog
Photo Sidecars & CameraLRCAT is a Lightroom Classic catalog recording image locations and editing information, not a container for all original photos. Back up both catalog and images and retain matching companions such as lrcat-data.
- What it is used for
- Photo organization and edit metadata management
- What the file contains
- Binary data
All sections, questions and sources
Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai
Opening steps
Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.
Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.
Troubleshooting by symptom
- Missing photos: originals may be on another disk; locate and relink them.
- Older version fails: check backward compatibility of upgraded catalogs.
- AI edits incomplete: check matching lrcat-data/required companions.
- Preview visible but full-resolution export fails: inspect original-image paths/connectivity.
- Restoring catalog lacks photos: catalog backup does not replace source-photo backup.
- AI edits missing after migration: check matching companion files such as LRCAT-DATA.
Catalog migration / photo export
- For migration, supply matching catalog, companions and original images; inspect a copy.
- For viewing images, inspect edits in Lightroom Classic and export JPEG or another delivery format.
- Check counts, originals, edits and exports after migration and back up both photos and catalog.
Catalog-only backup does not protect source photos; rendered exports do not replace the whole catalog.
Check catalog, photos and companions
LRCAT manages paths/edits; photos need independent backup and matching companions should be retained.
Previews may display despite unavailable originals; viewing does not establish complete migration.
Source for these steps：Adobe · Lightroom Classic catalog FAQ / Adobe · Save metadata to external sidecar files / Adobe · Back up a Lightroom Classic catalog
Verify recovery before switching
Choose backups by timestamp/name and compare image counts, edits and collections in a copy.
Preserve old catalogs during upgrades and validate references, companions and required exports before using recovered work.
Source for these steps：Adobe · Lightroom Classic catalog FAQ / Adobe · Save metadata to external sidecar files / Adobe · Back up a Lightroom Classic catalog
Related-format differences
| Format | Main role | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| LRCAT | Catalog/edit metadata | Originals are separate |
| LRCAT-DATA | Additional edit data | Keep with the matching catalog |
| JPEG / RAW | Image content | Back up originals independently |
Handling and security
Back up catalog and images; avoid modifying active locks/internal data and review photo/location privacy.
Questions and answers
Can LRCAT restore all photos alone?
Back up the original photos separately.
Is lrcat-data unnecessary?
Retain the matching file for applicable edits, including AI data.
Can an old version open an upgraded catalog?
Check compatibility and retain the pre-upgrade copy.
May I delete originals if previews exist?
Previews differ from originals in purpose/resolution; preserve and back up original photos.
Should I immediately replace the current catalog?
Verify image references/edits in a separate copy first and retain the current catalog until validated.
Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
- Formal name
- Lightroom Classic catalog
- Steward / specification
- Adobe
- MIME type
- Depends on the producer or server; an extension alone does not establish a MIME type.
Primary and official sources
- Software documentationLightroom Classic catalog FAQ
Distinguishes catalogs, originals and lrcat-data.
Adobe · Link checked： - Software documentationSave metadata to external sidecar files
Explains XMP/ACR sidecar metadata.
Adobe · Link checked： - Official documentationBack up a Lightroom Classic catalog
Distinguishes catalog backup from protecting original photos.
Adobe · Link checked：