I'm trying to understand how custom property values will work. I looked at the following page but still have questions: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=9788#customproperties
It appears that custom properties are stored in a CSV file, only one for the whole database, at a location specified in Everything-1.5a.ini.
It looks like multiple properties can be named in the CSV header line, each one separated by a comma.
It also looks like custom property can have multiple values, each separated by a semicolon.
It also seems that you can't add custom properties this way, rather, you can only specify custom values for already existing properties (properties either native to Everything, or in the Windows Property System). And any value you specify in the CSV file simply overrides the value that would otherwise appear.
Am I right on these points?
custom values csv questions
Re: custom values csv questions
You can have as many CSV files as you like (you are not limited to one).It appears that custom properties are stored in a CSV file, only one for the whole database, at a location specified in Everything-1.5a.ini.
You might like one CSV to specify Tags, and another to specify Comments.
Correct.It looks like multiple properties can be named in the CSV header line, each one separated by a comma.
It's up to the property class, tags support ; for multiple values.It also looks like custom property can have multiple values, each separated by a semicolon.
Other properties such as Width or Length will only support a single value.
Correct.It also seems that you can't add custom properties this way, rather, you can only specify custom values for already existing properties (properties either native to Everything, or in the Windows Property System). And any value you specify in the CSV file simply overrides the value that would otherwise appear.
Everything will need to have some understanding of what the property is (eg: is it a string, a number, a date)?
I will consider support for custom properties.
eg: customdate1..12, customstring1..12, customnumber1..12
and allow you to give these custom properties a name.
A UI to manage custom values is in development.
Re: custom values csv questions
Is it possible that values could be editable in place in the Everything results list? Maybe property values could be changed for all selected items.
If custom properties could be included in a CSV file, that would open up great possibilities even before there is a UI to edit values etc - we could use Excel to set values for the custom properties, or custom values for non-custom properties.
But what if a file with custom properties and custom values is moved? The file location would have to be changed in the CSV file for the custom properties and custom values to continue to be associated with that file.
I guess Everything routinely scans the applicable CSV file(s) for new custom values and incorporates these values into its index?
If custom properties could be included in a CSV file, that would open up great possibilities even before there is a UI to edit values etc - we could use Excel to set values for the custom properties, or custom values for non-custom properties.
But what if a file with custom properties and custom values is moved? The file location would have to be changed in the CSV file for the custom properties and custom values to continue to be associated with that file.
I guess Everything routinely scans the applicable CSV file(s) for new custom values and incorporates these values into its index?
Re: custom values csv questions
Possibly in a future release.Is it possible that values could be editable in place in the Everything results list? Maybe property values could be changed for all selected items.
For now, you can set some properties from Right click file -> Properties -> Details.
I also have on my TODO list to add a property manager.
Custom values for propertiesIf custom properties could be included in a CSV file, that would open up great possibilities even before there is a UI to edit values etc - we could use Excel to set values for the custom properties, or custom values for non-custom properties.
I have plans for an Everything Property Server.But what if a file with custom properties and custom values is moved? The file location would have to be changed in the CSV file for the custom properties and custom values to continue to be associated with that file.
The Everything Property Server would handle file operations.
For now, please consider:
Storing properties in the file.
Storing properties in sidecar files.
storing properties in alternate data streams.
Storing properties in Everything without modifying files.
Currently, only on startup.I guess Everything routinely scans the applicable CSV file(s) for new custom values and incorporates these values into its index?
I'll look into making Everything detect external changes to your CSV file with custom property values.
Thank you for the suggestions.
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Re: custom values csv questions
This is an interesting topic!
If the same column name exists in two(some) files, will they be merged? Or does the file at the tail(Other.csv in the sample below) take precedence?
sample-setting:
Does this refer to the possibility of specifying multiple property definition files, as in the sample below?You can have as many CSV files as you like (you are not limited to one).
You might like one CSV to specify Tags, and another to specify Comments.
If the same column name exists in two(some) files, will they be merged? Or does the file at the tail(Other.csv in the sample below) take precedence?
sample-setting:
Code: Select all
/property_user_values=C:\Propertys\Tags.csv,C:\Propertys\Other.csv
Re: custom values csv questions
Yes.Does this refer to the possibility of specifying multiple property definition files, as in the sample below?
You can specify more than one CSV filename.
Yes, the last file will take precedence.If the same column name exists in two(some) files, will they be merged? Or does the file at the tail(Other.csv in the sample below) take precedence?
Files are loaded from left to right.
New property values will overwrite existing property values.
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Re: custom values csv questions
Thank you for your reply.
I now understand more about the custom property file specification.
Thanks again.
I now understand more about the custom property file specification.
Thanks again.