smart folders just don't work that well.

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Level 1

8 points

smart folders just don't work that well.

I regularly download mp3s and move them from my Downloads folder into pop, rock, rap etc folders which are all subfolders of my Macbook's main Music folder. I then need to move them into my DJ software. Rather than go into each genre folder one by one and drag them into the DJ software, I'd much rather use a smart folder to show me all mp3s that have recently been moved into the Music folder, and just drag them into my DJ software in one swoop. But plain and simple, Smart Folders just don't show me very many of my new mp3s.

I tell Smart Folders to search folder Music.
For the first + I've tried File Extension = mp3, and I've also tried Kind - Music - All
For the second + I've tried Created Date, Date Added, Content Modified, Last Modified Date, you name it. And for time frame I always choose Last 10 Days.

No matter what it just shows me a few of the new additions to the Music folder. Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as far as why some show up and some don't.

MacBook Pro 13″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Feb 15, 2022 10:21 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

73,434 points

Feb 16, 2022 2:24 AM in response to mrmalkovich

If I understand correctly, this particular file is found if searching "This Mac", but not if searching the folder, even though it is clearly in there... weird.

Not sure if this will help, but as always with search issues, resetting the Spotlight index might help.

You can do it by typing the following in Terminal:

sudo mdutil -E /

and typing your password when requested (there is no feedback when typing the password in Terminal, not even asterisks or bullets, that is normal).

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Answer 2

Feb 16, 2022 1:27 AM in response to mrmalkovich

I don't know why it is not working for you.

For me, something like this:

works fine, and as I change the number of days (say to 7, or 15) the search results immediately reflect that.

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Answer 3

mrmalkovich Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 16, 2022 1:38 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, your settings find all my new songs in my Music folder. However, they also find new songs outside of my Music folder, which I don't want included.

Your settings, adjusted only to Search "Music" folder results in my usual problem.

Here goes the info on a file that is not found. Clearly created today.

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Answer 4

mrmalkovich Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 16, 2022 6:36 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I get nervous about re-indexing. Always seems to create more problems than it solves.

I use Google to back up my files automatically from my Macbook. That is known to mess with indexing. Maybe that's the issue.

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smart folders just don't work that well.

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