Hello! New user here. I’ve updated DT to beta 3 yesterday and noticed that renaming files now preserves original names within non-audited databases. Yet, I believe such a feature should be an attribute of audited databases only?
Welcome @Seagull
The original name applies to any kind of database. Do you feel this is problematic in some way?
Thank you! I imported over 400 files into a newly created DT4b2 database, renamed dozens of files, and none of them preserved their original names. Yet with beta 3, it happens with every file. This is why I was surprised to see that beta 3 behaves differently. I feel it’s problematic that this feature cannot be disabled, nor can original names be removed. I’ll have to keep in mind to check original file names before importing them into DT, as they may contain sensitive data that I prefer not to ‘record’.
You’re welcome.
Development would have to comment on this.
I guess you’re right. Sorry for the confusion! After spending more time, I managed to spot the renamed files from beta 2, and they indeed had their original names recorded. I was mostly renaming groups, I suppose, and since groups don’t track original names, I didn’t notice the different behaviour for items.
Meanwhile, may I kindly request you to consider adding a ‘Forget’/‘Remove’ button next to ‘Copy’ and ‘Rename’ in the context menu of the Original field, along with the ability to clear the Original field via batch processing in non-audited databases?
P.S. A small UI suggestion: changing ‘Rename’ to ‘Restore’ might better reflect the action.
I understand that use cases vary and preserving original names can be helpful. But sometimes, you’re just correcting a mistake in the file name—for instance, ‘2025.03.31 – Invoice.pdf’ is actually ‘2025.04.30 – Invoice.pdf’. You fix it, but then each time you search for the file, you have to exclude the Original filename field from the results. In other cases, when dragging screenshots into the Sorter, the original names are meaningless, like ‘Screenshot 2025-05-31 at 01.00.00.png’. And, as I mentioned earlier, sometimes original names are sensitive in terms of personal data or origin.
Could you also advise me whether creating individual topics for suggestions/questions is preferred over including multiple points in a single post?
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Why is the_file_ name so important? I never look at it, only using the DT name of this
Search for name: ... instead than there’s nothing to exclude.
One topic, one post.
Thank you for sharing your opinion. I understand that, in your case, ignoring original filenames might be sufficient. However, I’ve outlined several scenarios where simply disregarding them may not be appropriate — such as correcting naming mistakes, managing sensitive data, or preventing exposure of personal or client-related details present in original filenames, not to mention the issue of indexing being cluttered with irrelevant terms like ‘123’ or ‘Screenshot’.
This kind of restriction might be more suitable for audited databases, but in non-audited contexts, users may seek flexibility and control over their data. Ensuring original filenames don’t affect my search results will take one extra thing to keep in mind while searching, yet the main purpose of this software is to unload the brain, rather than load it with workarounds.
That’s why I believe the option to selectively remove original filenames would be a meaningful improvement. I hope the developers can consider this suggestion, as it enhances functionality without enforcing a single workflow. @BLUEFROG now that I know it’s not a bug, does it make sense to start a new topic suggesting such an improvement?
Currently, filenames can be modified by scripting. And for indexed files, you can simply change them in Finder.
Development will have surely noted your suggestion by now. That’s not an indicator of implementation, but it will be considered.
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I tried changing filenames of indexed files in Finder. They immediately show a ‘File Missing’ error in DT. So it’s not as straightforward as you suggest. Now that the DT team has confirmed the suggestion will be considered, I’m relieved.
Not here, just tried it. The change is reflected in DT after I told it to update indexed items. Do you index files on a cloud drive like iCloud or OneDrive?