help with sharing songs from JustChords to OpenSongApp

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Rich D

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May 26, 2025, 12:35:16 PMMay 26
to OpenSongApp
Our band leader has our set lists and songs all in JustChords.
I am able to export the files as either PDF,  JustChords file, or ChordPro.

The setlist export has the songs listed on the first pages and then all the songs thereafter in one file.

I cannot seem to be able to import them into my OpenSongApp Android tablet.

Please help with instructions on how to do this easily.  
Thank you in advance,

Rich

Gareth Evans

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May 26, 2025, 2:42:53 PMMay 26
to Rich D, OpenSongApp
Hi Rich,

The simplest way is to get your band leader to use a 'shared folder' in Just Chords.  This shared folder will be synchronised with the OpenChords server and will include her songs and setlists.  OpenSongApp will then allow you to synchronise with this folder and download the songs and setlists.  You can also edit and add to this folder and push your changes allowing your band leader to also get any files you create.

Just to clarify some terminology:
  • OpenSongApp:  The Android app (shortened to OSA below)
  • Just Chords:  The iOS app (shortened to JC below)
  • OpenChords:  An online server created to allow sharing of folders containing songs and sets between OpenSongApp and JustChords users (shortened to OC below)
JC doesn't yet have full instructions or user manual of how to perform their actions (it's a pretty new app and they haven't got round to it yet), but they have a good discord discussion group where your band leader can get help.  I develop OSA on a MacBook (everything else I use is either Android or Linux), so I can test JC on that.  Here's how I would do it on Just Chords (I've created a very basic set of videos showing the process on my Mac, albeit unedited and without sound):

1.  On JC, your band leader should create a new folder that will be synchronised to the OC server allowing other JC and OSA users to be able to pull/push changes as required.  The shared folder can have any name.

2.  Move or copy existing songs in the JC library (or other folder) to the folder to be used for synchronising.  Your band leader may wish to use this as their default folder from now on.   For the video, I used 'Copy'.  If they already have their songs in a folder, they can just change the type of folder from 'Folder' to 'Shared folder'.

3.  Push the changes to the OC server (what a shared folder is all about).  I did notice while recording this video that setlists moved to this folder didn't synchronise and were deleted.  I've alerted the JC developer and he will fix this bug asap.  If your band leader creates new setlists, these will synchronise properly as shown later.

4. In future, your band leader will create a new setlist and push the changes to the OC server.

5.  If the band leader shares the OC link with you, you can click on the link to open it with OSA and you will have the opportunity of pulling their changes.  Once you've done this once, you will simply open in the menu option in OSA to check for changes to this folder as shown on my website.  You don't need a link to the OC folder every time there is a change as OSA will remember the shared folder details for you:

The exporting of a single setlist file (as mentioned in your email) from JC is, I think, quite new in terms of what it contains and its format.  I will liaise with their developer and will have a look at implementing the direct importing of this without the need for a synchronised folder.  However, we both recommend using the shared folder via OC.

Hope that helps?


Best wishes,
Gareth

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Rich D

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May 26, 2025, 7:18:22 PMMay 26
to OpenSongApp
Gareth,

You are a hero!  You should sticky note this.
The instructions were exceptional and perfect.

I was able to move 52 songs in minutes.
I did notice the bug with the JC set lists not syncing.  And after they failed to sync from JC, the program deleted them from the shared folder in JC.
The only other difference I also saw was that the graphics for the chords at the start of the songs show up on JC but did not transfer over to OSA.
Again, many thanks for the reply and help.  Your program is alive and thriving in Central Connecticut.  I will be telling everyone in our music community about it.
I'll join the forum to keep up with the development of the new features.

Sincerely and with gratitude,

Rich

Gareth Evans

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May 27, 2025, 2:41:35 AMMay 27
to Rich D, OpenSongApp

Hi Rich,

Glad you got it working.  The JC developer is going to fix the bug with the moved delays being deleted.
The chord diagrams alt in the song.  JC draws then at the start.  OSA had them as a popup (look under song actions, chords, chord fingering).  You can assign a shortcut (page button, foot pedal, screen gesture) to show them if you want.

https://www.opensongapp.com/user-manual/songs/song-actions/chords/chord-fingering

If you have any issues with OpenSongApp, just message me, or even better keep it on the forum as you did and I'll gladly help out.  Also check out the online manual help pages at:

https://www.opensongapp.com 

I'm really happy with the partnership with the guys at JustChords.  It will help make both of our apps better and allow Android and iOS to better share resources in a band setting.

Best wishes, 

Gareth


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