Bug with indexing

DEVONthink Feedback
1

When I index files, if some have moved and i update items, thos ecome back as failed rather than no longer being in the index list. it used to be different - but now everytime i move something, i have to have it register as failed forever. i am not sure what to change but this is new behaviorl.

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I took a look at DEVONthink “Help” to remind me of some of the pitfalls with indexing which may apply to you.

The “Help” says:

Moving Indexed Items: DEVONthink stores individually indexed items by its absolute path in the filesystem. If you move an individually indexed file or folder, it will disappear when the database updates or be reported as missing. This is because the item no longer exists in the indexed location, so the absolute path points to nothing. If you move a file or subfolder inside an indexed parent group, the change should be reflected in the database or the Finder. The parent folder still exists in the same location and DEVONthink can adjust for the changed relative paths within it.

Is there a specific reason why you are indexing rather than importing? Indexing adds complexity and I only do it for very specific–and rare for me–reasons.

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I would take a bet this situation has been answered 50 - 100+ times in this forum, because of the same errors and misunderstanding. Which is why Search is your friend. Try it sometime. Indexing is actually very easy to understand and very easy to break if you don’t follow the rules:

  • In Finder, don’t move files in folders you are indexing in DEVONthink to folders that are not children of the indexed folder
  • Don’t rename folders you are indexing.
  • Don’t let any app move your indexed folders or the files indexed inside them.
  • Don’t index files – index folders, for safety.Don’t let any app delete indexed files.
  • Don’t index at all unless there’s another app that has a legitimate need to access the same folder hierarchy you want to index, not you know how that app manages files, and not until you have thought about all the consequences.

When it comes to indexing, there are no “dos”, just “don’ts”.

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