About how to export files

[jiyuan]

I want to export a pdf file from inside dt to outside the software, file-export.
Then, the folder outside the software does have the pdf, but the files inside the software are still there.
I want to be able to export all the pdf files to the outside of the software with no files inside the software.
Please ask me how to do.

[BLUEFROG]

May I ask what you’re actually trying to accomplish? Are you no longer using DEVONthink?

[jiyuan]

I’d still like to keep using dt.
I want to do some data analysis on my documents and then I’m running out of hard drive space. So, would like the documents to be stored in finder, and both dt and my data processing software can access finder!

[jiyuan]

May I ask if you are implying that if the file imported into dt is exported out of dt and the file is no longer retained inside dt. This would give bad results?

[rmschne]

@jiyuan

you are implying that if the file imported into dt is exported out of dt and the file is no longer retained inside dt.

I don’t see any such implication in @BLUEFROG’s question.

Might I suggest you try what you want to do with one file and see if you export (or drag and drop out) if the imported (not indexed) file is still in DEVONthink. Please report back here with the result.

[jiyuan]

I select a file in dt’s software window and drag and drop it to finder. finder comes up with a file. However, the file is still there in dt.
I would like to move the file to the finder outside of dt and still keep the index and tags, hyperlinks, etc. to the file.
It is like the result of using ‘index files’.
Is this possible?

[chrillek]

@jiyuan

I would like to move the file to the finder outside of dt and still keep the index and tags, hyperlinks, etc. to the file.

So, basically you want to index files in DT, not import them. What you could do is create a folder in Finder, index that one in DT so that it appears as a group there. Then drag&drop a file from DT into that group. That should “deconsolidate” it (a term explained in the manual)

[rmschne]

@jiyuan

I would like to move the file to the finder outside of dt and still keep the index and tags, hyperlinks, etc. to the file.

How can you “keep” this information in a file when you want the file not in DEVONthink? I think that unrealistic expectation.

Maybe your instincts to “index” the files back into DEVONthink after deleting their “imported” versions is in the right direction, but before going down that route please carefully read and understand the “ins and outs” of indexing files as documented in the “DEVONthink Manual”. And do it all carefully with backups so that you don’t inadvertently lose files with no recovery.

[jiyuan]

This method was successful!
I transferred the files out, while also keeping the indexing and labelling.
Thank you!

[chrillek]

The manual is always a good resource … But it was just a coincidence that I knew about “deconsolidate” and could search for that.