I would love to have the ability to archive certain files, by which I mean I would like to be able to set a property (‘Archive’) on each file that allows me to exclude it from views, even though it is still in the database and retains all of its same groups and tags. I would like to be able to easily toggle between viewing all files in a group (i.e., archived and not archived) and only active files (not archived). I can set a custom metadata property called ‘Archive’. Is it possible to set up the viewing and toggle behavior using applescript? I am not an experienced applescript user. However, if someone can confirm that it is possible and perhaps suggest a few places to start, I can generally muddle my way through.
No. One possibility might be to use e.g. a label for active and archived files. Then you could use the Info filter (see Tools > Filters) to view the desired stuff.
Ok. Then I would add this as a feature request. It would add an enormous flexibility to DT3 and would allow users to distinguish between deep storage and active storage. It seems like it would be relatively easy to produce in your database structure, since it would just be a property attached to each file that would affect whether it was visible in views or not, and whether it was included in searches or not. There could be a series of preferences as to whether you wanted archived files included in searches always or never by default with drop down menus to change this in the search box. Then a toggle view to see all files, archived files, or active files. The whole thing could be turned off with a preference. That is probably a major change, but I think it would be a major improvement in organizational flexibility and utility. Right now I have a bunch of ARCHIVE groups in most of my main groups. It would be great to be able to toggle these into view and exclude them from searches if I wanted to.
it would just be a property attached to each file that would affect whether it was visible in views or not, and whether it was included in searches or not. There could be a series of preferences as to whether you wanted archived files included in searches always or never by default with drop down menus to change this in the search box. Then a toggle view to see all files, archived files, or active files. The whole thing could be turned off with a preference.
I thought you said it would be “relatively easy”
Beyond Criss’ good suggestion, why don’t you move those items to a separate archive database?
I actually have such an Archive database created. Most of the files there are old files, a few years old. They need to be stored for tax/legal purposes. But they are rarely needed/assessed. Probably once a year or even less. Almost 99.99% for viewing purpose. Very rarely is there a need to modify them.
Is it possible for me to remove this Archive database from DT and yet searchable? That is to say, I will archive/move this database to external harddisk or cloud storage (not sync), to save limited storage space in my MacBook.
If I do a search in DT, DT will return the result but mention the file are missing or not available. Then I will copy the old archived database back from external hard disk or cloud storage to my MacBook to assess the file.
