Move from internal to indexed

DEVONthink
1

Hi there

I have a large group of files (pdf’s) in DT. I wish to move those files out of DT and into a folder and index this folder in DT. I have tried using the manual to find a “best practice” for this, but didn’t manage to find anything. Did I miss it in the manual or what is the best way of doing this task?

TIA

2

May I ask your reason or motivation for making this change?

3

How about something like: export the files to where you want them in the file system, then index them back in to a database, the delete (carefully) the imported (now copies) still inside DEVONthink?

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4

Sure. I have a few other apps that needs regular access to the files for reading and editing.

5

@rmschne’s suggestion isn’t incorrect. But you can also do this:

  1. Decide where the indexed files will reside in the Finder.
  2. Index that location into your database.
  3. Move the imported files in the database to that indexed location. By default, they will be moved to the external folder (a process called deconsolidation) and are now indexed.

However, do not do this until you’ve read and understood the In & Out > Importing & Indexing section of the help.

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6

The most important bit!

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7

Please follow the advise of @BLUEFROG.

If you go along with @rmschne the DEVONthink item id for the files will be changed, which would break links you might have established.

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8

That is the reason for the method I recommended, as I don’t know if item links are in play here.

9

Good point. I went with the solution from @BLUEFROG and it seems to work just fine. Thanks a lot to you all :folded_hands:

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