Create Files

Learn how to create new files in TagSpaces including text, Markdown, HTML, and JSON formats with automatic timestamp tagging for unique file identification.

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Creating and Importing Files

In addition to previewing various file types, TagSpaces also allows you to create new files in several text-based formats, making it a great note-taking application.

To create a new file in TagSpaces, you have several options. The easiest way is to click the plus icon button, which is almost always visible in the application.

<CenteredImage caption=“Create new file with the plus button” src=“/media/editcreate/create-new-plusbutton.avif” maxWidth=“350px” />

This opens the content creation menu, where you can choose from the actions described below.

Timestamp as Default Tag

When you create a new file in TagSpaces, a timestamp in the format YYYYMMDDThhmmss is automatically added as a tag:

  • YYYY: The current year
  • MM: The current month
  • DD: The current day
  • T: A delimiter between the date and time
  • hh: The hour
  • mm: The minute
  • ss: The second

For example, a file created on January 17, 2017, at 10:30:32 would have the timestamp tag 20170117T103032.

These timestamp tags ensure the uniqueness of automatically generated file names.

<!-- Such timestamps make it possible to easily group files from different locations based on the time of creation. Of course this would be possible by reading the same information from the file system, but tagging with the timestamp allows for greater flexibility. For example you can change the timestamp to anything you like, while keeping the original creation modification date of the file, and tagging the file will allow you to use TagSpaces's powerful grouping and organizing features in the same place you manage other tags. -->

Creating files in the desktop app

On the desktop version of the app, you can open the Main Menu (by pressing ALT on Windows or Linux) and then select New File from the File menu.

<CenteredImage caption=“Create new file from the main menu” src=“/media/editcreate/create-new-file-menu.avif” maxWidth=“650px” />

In the tray menu there is also an entry called New file which will open the dialog for creating new markdown files.

<CenteredImage caption=“Tray menu on mac OS” src=“/media/core/tray-menu-macos.avif” maxWidth=“300px” />

New Plain Text File

Creates a plain text file with the .txt extension.

New Markdown File

Creates a text file with the .md extension, which will allow you to add content in Markdown format.

<CenteredImage caption=“Dialog for creating markdown files” src=“/media/editcreate/create-markdown-file-dialog.avif” maxWidth=“550px” />

New HTML File

Creates an HTML file with the .html extension, allowing you to add rich text content.

At the top of the file creation dialogs, the automatically generated file name is displayed. The text is preselected, so you can easily change it to whatever you need. This is especially useful when creating new cards in the Kanban perspective. Below the text field, you will see the path where the file will be created. The default path is usually the current folder, but if no location is open, the file will be created in the root folder of the first location in your location manager. The file name follows this format: note[20191113T164613].md (or .html or .txt). The default file name includes a timestamp tag, which is explained bellow.

Creates a URL file containing a link to a website. These files are supported natively on macOS and Windows. They are suitable for creating bookmarks.

<CenteredImage caption=“Create new file with the plus button” src=“/media/editcreate/create-new-link-file.avif” maxWidth=“450px” />

:::tip The created link files can be then opened in TagSpaces with the URL Viewer extension. :::

New Audio File

<ProFeature /> Opens a dialog where you can record an audio note.

<CenteredImage caption=“Create new file with the plus button” src=“/media/editcreate/create-new-audio-file.avif” maxWidth=“550px” />

:::tip The recorded audio files can be played in TagSpaces with the Media Player extension. :::

New From Template

<ProFeature /> Opens a dialog where you can create files from different templates.

<CenteredImage caption=“Create new files from templates” src=“/media/editcreate/new-from-template.avif” maxWidth=“550px” />

:::info The file template are completely customizable in the settings of the application. Just click the Manage templates button in the top of the dialog to open the [file templates tab](https://docs.tagspaces.org/ui/settings#file-templates in the settings. :::

New Form Device

Allows you to import files into the app. See the Importing Files section for more details.

New From URL

Opens a dialog where you can enter a URL in the text field and click the OK button to start the download and save the file in the current folder.

<CenteredImage caption=“Dialog for downloading files from URLs” src=“/media/editcreate/download-file-dialog.avif” maxWidth=“550px” />

:::info Downloading files from URLs generally works for files shared from object stores, but often fails due to CORS restrictions implemented by websites. As a workaround, you can use our browser extension. :::

New Folder

Opens the dialog for creating new folders, where beside the name you can choose also the folder's background color.

<CenteredImage caption=“Dialog for creating new folders” src=“/media/editcreate/create-new-folder-dialog.avif” maxWidth=“550px” />

Importing Files

TagSpaces offers several ways to import files. After a successful import, the file will be copied to the currently open folder.

Importing from the Folder Menu

You can also import files from the folder menu, located in the top-right corner of the application.

Screenshot showing how to open the folder menu

Choose New From Device to open your operating system's file chooser. From there, select the files you want to import.

Importing Files on Mobile Devices

On mobile devices, tapping the New From Device menu opens a dialog that lets you choose various sources for files. In the following screenshot from an Android device, you can see options like:

  • Camera: Opens the Camera app to take a picture and import it into the current location.
  • Camcorder: Allows you to record a video that can be imported into the app.
  • Voice Recorder: Launches the Voice Recorder app to create an audio note that can be imported.
  • Files: Opens the Files app to select files for import.

Depending on your Android device and installed apps, this dialog may display more or fewer options.

<CenteredImage caption=“Importing files on mobile devices” src=“/media/editcreate/tagspaces-mobile-import.jpg” showCaption maxWidth=“300px” />

On iOS, you have the options to take a picture with the Camera app or select one or more files from the Files app.

:::info If the current folder is located on object storage (e.g., AWS S3), importing will trigger the file's upload to the S3 bucket. :::

Importing via Drag and Drop

You can also import files by dragging them from your desktop or file manager and dropping them into the app.

<CenteredVideo caption=“Importing and exporting files via drag and drop from the desktop” src=“/media/videos/file-drag-and-drop.mp4” posterUrl=“/media/videos/file-drag-and-drop.jpg” maxWidth=“100%” autoPlay showCaption />

:::note If the current folder is located on object storage (e.g., AWS S3), dragging and dropping files will trigger their upload to the S3 bucket. :::