8.9   How do Finder tags work with EagleFiler?

macOS 10.9 and later have built-in support tags in the Finder and other applications. EagleFiler syncs its tags with the system automatically. Each file has the same tags in EagleFiler and the Finder, and the tags are searchable in Spotlight.

Tag Syncing

• When you import a file into EagleFiler, it imports that file’s Finder tags as well.
• If you assign or unassign tags in EagleFiler, the Finder tags update right away.
• If you assign or unassign tags in the Finder, the tags update in EagleFiler when you view the file or when you use the Backup Metadata command. EagleFiler also updates the tags automatically when you open the library and periodically after it’s open.
• If you rename a tag in EagleFiler, EagleFiler renames the Finder tags on each file.
• EagleFiler’s database acts as a backup for the Finder tags, which are somewhat fragile due to the way they are stored. If the Finder tags are lost (e.g. when transferring a file over a network, editing a file with an application that doesn’t support tags, or backing up using a product that doesn’t support extended attributes), EagleFiler will automatically restore the tags from the database the next time you open the library.

Differences Between Tags in EagleFiler and Finder

• EagleFiler tags are supported on macOS 10.7 and later. macOS 10.7 through 10.8 do not have built-in support for tags, but EagleFiler uses OpenMeta to share tags with other applications on those systems. Finder tags require macOS 10.9 or later.
• EagleFiler tags can be organized into a hierarchy; Finder tags are all at the same level.
• EagleFiler tags can have abbreviation symbols (including Emoji); Finder tags do not have abbreviations.
• Each EagleFiler library has its own list of tags, so that you only see tags that are relevant to the task at hand; Finder uses the same tags for the whole Mac.
• EagleFiler tags can have any color; Finder tags have a fixed set of seven available colors. EagleFiler does not sync its tag colors with Finder.
• EagleFiler has separate controls for setting a file’s colored label and its tags; Finder changes the label color when you change the tags.
• EagleFiler does not allow certain characters in tag names; any Finder tags that use such characters will be converted to valid EagleFiler tag names. Allowed characters include letters and numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation.
• EagleFiler lets you create multiple tags whose names differ only by case; Finder does not, so such tags will not be visible in the Finder.
• EagleFiler always shows tags in alphabetical order.

Disabling Tag Syncing

Some people prefer not to sync their EagleFiler tags to the Finder. Syncing takes time, which may not be worth it if you rarely use tags in other applications. Or, you may prefer not to see your EagleFiler tag names when adding tags in the Finder if you only use those tags in EagleFiler.

To disable tag syncing for all libraries, click here. To re-enable tag syncing, click here.

You can also disable tag syncing only for certain libraries by specifying their filenames (without the .eflibrary) using this Terminal command:

defaults write com.c-command.EagleFiler DisableTagSyncingForLibraryNames -array "MyLibrary" "SecretLibrary"