smart group with attachment search?

Gerben · Post by **Gerben** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:40 am

If i am correct one can currently create smart groups based on a search in whatever field, but not in attachments? It would be great to have the possibility to also include the full text of attachments as a search criterium.

By any chance on the list?

Gerben

Post by **Jon** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:44 am

Take a look at this thread:

http://www.sonnysoftware.com/phpBB2/vie ... ttachments

Jon
Sonny Software

Gerben · Post by **Gerben** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:27 am

Thanks, but i think i have been unclear.. It is not about "Show all references with or without attachments". I wonder if it is possible to search the text of pdf's and include those results in a smart search.

Gerben

Post by **Jon** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:10 pm

You mean, search for all references where an attachment contains "world war II" and the author (in the reference entry) is "Gerben" and the date in the reference entry is "2001"? No, that's not possible.

You can, however, do a spotlight search for all references where an attachment contains the words "world war II", then use the Live Search textbox to narrow it down by typing in "Gerben 2001", which is much the same thing.

Jon
Sonny Software

Gerben · Post by **Gerben** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:46 pm

You mean, search for all references where an attachment contains "world war II" and the author (in the reference entry) is "Gerben" and the date in the reference entry is "2001"?

Yes, i just would like to be able to use text strings in an attachment as criterium in a smart group as well.

You can, however, do a spotlight search for all references where an attachment contains the words "world war II", then use the Live Search textbox to narrow it down by typing in "Gerben 2001", which is much the same thing.

Thanks for the suggestion. Actually, the first thing is already enough for me (the spotlight search) and i often use it. But is it feasible to include this as a criterium in the smart groups as well in the future?

Best,
Gerben

Post by **Jon** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:10 pm

It's an interesting idea. But realize that it adds very little to what Bookends already does now -- the combination of Spotlight search followed by the Live Search works well. The inclusion of a Spotlight search in the Find dialog (or smart groups) saves a few steps, that's all.

Jon
Sonny Software

Gerben · Post by **Gerben** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:26 pm

The inclusion of a Spotlight search in the Find dialog (or smart groups) saves a few steps, that's all.

Well, you are right (and thankx for the explanation on Live Search which will certainly be of use) but those few steps can often make quite a difference in one's workflow

Gerben

ps: just remember that something like this should be possible in Devonthink Pro.

Gerben · Post by **Gerben** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:03 am

Hello,

I am writing a paper now and i realize again how great it would be if there was a possibility to create smart groups that have a spotlight search as a criterium (so text strings, multiple strings would be even better).

Of course i can do a spotlight search now with a text string but there are two advantages with smart groups: one can 'save' the searches and they would be self-updating.

I have no idea how difficult it is to implement this but can this be considered for a future update?

Thanks,
Gerben

Post by **Jon** » Sun May 06, 2007 9:02 am

Hi, it's on my list of things to explore.

Jon
Sonny Software

Gerben · Post by **Gerben** » Sun May 06, 2007 9:11 am

Great to hear!

Thanks,
Gerben