add existing tag in Files, when the list of existing tags is long

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add existing tag in Files, when the list of existing tags is long

I organize my files in icloud using tags, and I have a lot of tags. This creates a problem when trying to tag files on ipad. The "tags" window on ipad allows me to add a new tag (that's the top item; "Add New Tag...), or it allows me to add an existing tag from the list of existing tags. But the list of existing tags is not organized alphabetically, and I have a long list of tags. To find a specific tag, I have to search through reading each tag, since the list isn't organized.

Is there a workaround? Yes, I could simply tag everything on my mac. However, that runs into the search problem; as documented here: IpadOS Tags Search Problem - Apple Community, tags added on mac are visible in the file info but not necessarily searchable.

Suggestion: instead of that first function being 'add only a new tag', it could be simply 'add a tag'. Currently, if I click "Add New Tag..." and type in the name of a tag that already exists, the "Done" button will be grayed out. In other words, it won't let me add a tag that it recognizes as existing. Why not? Why make me search through my long list of existing tags to add an existing tag?

iPad, iOS 9

Posted on Aug 23, 2023 7:12 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

127,400 points

Aug 23, 2023 11:22 AM in response to andrewdlister

IOS 16.6

Tap and hold on a file in the File Manager. A secondary menu presents a Tags menu item. On the list of tags, select the tags you want placed on that file and then click Done. Tags are placed on the selected file. No need to bother with Add NewTag…

To remove a tag(s), you do the above and deselect the tags on the Tags panel, then click Done.

iPadOS 16.6

Same as above, however there is no Done button on the Tags listing. Click on the Tags that you want to add to the file and then click outside of the Tags panel and the tags will be applied to the selected file. Wish Apple would be consistent across iOS and iPadOS…

To remove tag(s), deselect them from the Tags panel and then click outside that panel to remove them from the selected file.

There is no facility for alphabetical tag organization. You could submit a feature request directly to the iPad product team though. Just don't expect a reply… The Apple product teams do not participate here, so one must send them feedback in the prescribed fashion to make them aware of an issue posted here.

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Answer 2

Aug 23, 2023 12:48 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks, I will submit a feature request. It seems that the system has been set up for people who have a limited number of tags. I think it wouldn't add much complexity either to permit alphabetical sorting of tags, or to have the list of tags automatically winnowed based on the first letters one types into the box, e.g. if I type "#t", the list of tags updates to show only tags starting with "#t", then when I add "a", it shows only tags beginning with "ta", etc. What I want to avoid is having to search through a long unordered list for "#tax".

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

127,400 points

Aug 23, 2023 1:04 PM in response to andrewdlister

You might suggest an alpha-based Rolodex [a][b][c] ... [z] where pressing an [a] button would show just the tags begining with the letter 'a'.

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add existing tag in Files, when the list of existing tags is long

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