There are several topics here that seem to be very old now related to a bug resulting in scanned items going to the Global Inbox instead of the group selected. My question seems different enough and the previous topics old enough to raise it separately.
Is there some way for scans (from ScanSnap) to import directly into the group that is selected in the Sidebar and whose items currently appear in the View? As it is, one “drills” down nested groups in the sidebar to select a desired group (green circle on screencapture). When the scan is completed, DevonThink presents a dialog box containing the entire Database/Group structure where one must “drill down” again to the desired group for the scan to import there (red circle on screencapture). The process is very inefficient.
Welcome @dwolfe.cincydonuts
No, there is no bug with where incoming documents are routed. That is controlled by DEVONthink’s Preferences > Files > Import > Destination.
And no, what you’re asking is not possible. However…
- The group selector has a search field right next to the Destination dropdown.
- The group selector remembers the last used location, so if you’re filing in the same location, just press Return when this panel appears.
Thank you for your quick response. My comment about a bug was based on several topics here from a few years ago where it seemed to be reported by some (even you, I think) that no matter the toggle in Settings, imports were always going instead to the Global Inbox. The Import Destination Settings don’t appear to apply to scans—at least in my reading of the dialog box. Perhaps the text should also include scanning?
If “Global inbox” is a specific location, should the other option read “Selected group” or “Select a group?”
If “Selected group” it does not behave that way, at least for scanning. If the answer is “Select a group,” I would advocate rethinking. I get the dialog completely for the described activities, which all refer to use cases involving importing items when NOT viewing a database.
But what purpose is served by displaying a dialog to select a group when users actively viewing a group in a database likely universally expect a scan or import to go to that group?
Instead, when a user has a database open, with a group within the database selected and viewed in the Viewer, and the user scans a document, there should at least be an option for the scanned document to “land” in the viewed group, just like when a group is viewed and a file is dragged into the View window, it is imported into the viewed group.
The “Select group” destination setting works for me with my ScanSnap when I scan using ScanSnap Home and have it configured to send scans to DevonThink. After a scan I get a selector for the group to place the scan, and I always use the same one (but not the Global Inbox), so I just need to hit Return for each scanned document. I agree that it would be a bit of a pain if I didn’t always want scans to go into the same place, in that case it would be nice for an option to place incoming scans in the “currently presented” group in the main window.
Such bugs would have (should have) been remedied long ago.
If “Global inbox” is a specific location, should the other option read “Selected group” or “Select a group?”
The current label has presented no challenge to our customers.
If “Selected group” it does not behave that way, at least for scanning. If the answer is “Select a group,” I would advocate rethinking.
rethinking what specifically? We have no other specific reports the group selector isn’t working properly.
But what purpose is served by displaying a dialog to select a group when users actively viewing a group in a database likely universally expect a scan or import to go to that group?
What you’re describing is particular to your perspective, not the general view of everyone. Hence, the group selector allows someone to choose the destination for the incoming documents. However, the request is noted, with no promises.
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