Question about Tags

DEVONthink
1

I’ve noticed that Devonthink creates some unnecessary tags, particularly while importing emails.

Here is an example:

CleanShot 2025-12-05 at 15.01.22@2x
CleanShot 2025-12-05 at 15.01.22@2x760×242 30.9 KB

and here is also my Tags settings just in case:

CleanShot 2025-12-05 at 15.01.42@2x
CleanShot 2025-12-05 at 15.01.42@2x1490×840 97.8 KB

I’m not sure why these tags are being created, but the bigger problem I’m facing is that today I have selected these tags, and deleted them. I was then able to see them in the Trash. However, I saw that instead of just deleting the tag I don’t need — Devonthink has also put the documents with that tag in the trash. This is totally what I did not expect!

My expectation: if you select a tag, and hit backspace — only the tag is being deleted, NOT the document.

Is this the correct DT behavior…?

2

Yes, it is the correct behavior and the document is not in tne Trash. It is the reference to the document. This is discussed in the Getting Started > Tagging section the built-in Help and manual .

1 Like
3

thanks! so it’s still safe to delete the tags completely (“Emptying the trash”), I assume

4

Imagine you put a picture of your pet in an envelope. The pet is not in the envelope.

Now you put the envelope in the trash. Your pet is not in the trash.

So throwing the trash into an incinerator poses what danger to your pet?

That is exactly how tags work.

1 Like
5

Your settings are Import Tags and Convert hashtags

6

I know that. But there is not single keyword / hashtag in the email “9361”. Also no finder tags..It’s an import from Apple Mail.

7

Well, you have 110 items tagged 9361 so what’s the common thread?
All emails?
All from the same sender?
…?

8

Yes. It’s a newsletter.

9

Can you post one of those here?

10

Lol now opening one of those emails to copying them here, I’ve scrolled ALL THE WAY to the bottom of the email and have spotted this:

image
image1206×317 17.9 KB

#9361 — that was been screwing around with my tags all this time. Ladies and gentlemen: we got him! :raising_hands:

2 Likes
11

Just a heads up with emails: loads of your emails have probably got #whatever in them since it’s used in html.

Unless you actually need the convert to tag option enabled you’re better off without it if you’re importing emails and web content since it might cause an issue.

2 Likes
12

Agree…! I think I’ve turned it on for some special use case and since left on.

I’ll turn it off now :raising_hands:

1 Like
13

Another simple and logical conclusion :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like