Document Filter

The Document Filter is used to limit the contents of the Documents Browser.

It consists of two elements: The Filter Field and the Filter Button.

The Filter Field is similar in function to a standard search box. You select a search range via the looking glass triangle, then enter the string you're searching for.

Documents matching the search criteria will then be moved to the top of the Document Browser, while all other documents will be moved to the bottom of the browser with their titles grayed out.

The Filter Button switches on the Filter List above the standard Document Browser. The list is holding so-called Filters and Collections; clicking on one of these will show only their respective contents in the Browser.

The Filter Button is also used to create and delete Filters or Collections, and to change the way multiple selections in the Filter List will get displayed in the Browser.

Groups are an excellent way to to sort your Filters and Collections in the Filter View. By nesting groups, you can organize your documents even better.

With the Focus Button right next to each group you can switch your focus entirely into one group to concentrate on it with a single click. It will look like the Group you’re currently in is the only one, helping you to focus and not be distracted by the other documents. However, getting back to the original view is as easy as clicking the button as well.

What are Filters? Filters are best described as auto-updating search queries. They are pretty similar to Apple's implementation of Smart Folders.
- Selecting a Filter from the list will have the Document Browser only show the documents that match the specified criteria.
How do I set up a Filter?
- You set up a Filter by Ctrl-clicking on the Filter button and selecting "New Filter…". A sheet will appear in which you can define various criteria a document must meet in order for it to appear in the Filter.
  You can mix different criteria, e.g. you could set up a Filter which will show all documents created on a specific date, having the status of a draft and a title which has the word "Chapter" in it.
What is a Collection? A Collection is similar to a Folder. However, in contrast to the Finder, one document can appear in multiple Collections.
- Selecting a Collection from the Filter List will have the Document Browser only show the documents within the Collection.
How do I create a Collection?
- There are several ways to create a Collection.
  1. Select one or more documents in the browser and drag them to the Filter Button.
  2. Ctrl-Click on the Filter Button and select "New Collection…"
How do I add documents to a Collection?
- There are several ways to add documents to a Collection.
  1. Make sure the Filter Button is pressed (i.e. the Filter View is visible). Select one or more documents in the browser. Drag the documents to the desired Collection in the Filter View.
  2. Select one or more documents in the browser. Ctrl-Click on one of the selected documents. A menu will pop up, and one entry will read "Add to Collection". Select the desired Collection.
What is a Group?
- A Group is like a container for Filters and Collections. By categorizing them in different Groups, you can not only structure and organize your project better, you can also find your documents faster.
  If you have a lot of Filters and Collections in your project, you can even create whole hierarchies by nesting Groups.
How do I create a Group?
- To create a new Group, simply open the context menu in the Filter View and select "New Group...". A sheet will appear, where the Group name can be entered. Select "Save", and the Group will be inserted in your Filter View. You can move Collections, Filters and even other Groups into your Group by dragging them onto the Group item.
What are the benefits of Groups/Filters over classical folders?
- If you organize your project the classical way, you might put them in folders like "Drafts", "Introduction" or "Chapter 4: Digging Deeper", depending on how you structure your project. But what if some of your drafts are ready to be proof-read? Or maybe you want to move a section from chapter 4 to chapter 5? What if a document is still work in progress, but also belongs to chapter 4? You'd have to constantly move around files, rename folders, and keep different versions of the same documents updated. Instead of being creative, you are kept busy fiddling around with your files.
  Instead of doing it the static way with folders, we need something more dynamic here. Something that updates all those files and folders automatically. Enter Ulysses' Groups and Filters. Using Filters, you can combine properties like Labels, Status, Notes and many more to categorize your documents. Whenever you change a property in a document, Ulysses will update the Filters for you. The results are obvious: no more moving files around, no renaming, no more synchronizing and more time to write your Great Novel. And if categorizing documents in Filters isn't enough, you can put your Filters in different Groups. Structuring your documents and finding your documents becomes as easy as it can get.