Filtering the Comparison Results

 

The Results to Show Filters area

The Results to Show Filters area

 

hmtoggle_arrow1What is a filter?

 

A filter hides specific files and subfolders in FolderMatch based on criteria you set.

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1What is a "Results to Show" filter?

 
By default, FolderMatch lists all files and subfolders when comparing two folders. The “Results To Show” filter allows you to hide results based on criteria like File Name, File Type, Last Modified Date, File Size, and Comparison Result.

 

(Do not confuse this filtering with the Include/Exclude filters which determine which items to include in a comparison/synchronization.)
 
Filter examples:

 

•Show Microsoft Word documents updated in the last week

•Show files and subfolders that differ

•Show photos with names starting with "DNC"

•Show all files larger than 0 bytes

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1How to filter the comparison results

 

To filter the comparison results from the Results to Show toolbar, you either 1) select a filter from the list or 2) create your own custom filter.

filtersmenu_nocallouts

 

 

Filters List
 

The filters list contains predefined filters as well as filters you’ve created and named. Predefined filters include “All Files & Folders”, “Differences Only”, “Similarities Only”. Filters you’ve created appear beneath the dotted line. To filter the results shown, select one of the filters from the list.

 

Predefined Filters:

 

FolderMatch provides three predefined filters: All Files and Folders, Differences Only, and Similarities Only

 

All Files and Folders

This option shows everything. It’s not actually a filter but a view-all option.

Differences Only

Displays files and folders that differ between the two compared folders.

Similarities Only

Shows only files and folders that are identical in both folders.

 

User-defined Filters:

 

You can create your own filter by choosing criteria from the drop-down Filter Criteria menus and saving the filter with a unique name. This custom filter will then appear in the Filters list.

 

 

 

filtersmenu-color

 

To create your own filter, choose filter criteria from the drop-down Filter Criteria Menus.  You can filter based on:  

 

Name

Filter files based on their file names (excluding the extension).

Type

Filter files based on their file type (extension).

Date

Filter files based on the Last Modified Date/Time stamps.

Size

Filter files based on their file size.

Results

Filter files based on their comparison result (e.g. same, newer, older, orphan).  Refer to this help topic for the full list of comparison result types and their meanings.

 

As you select filter criteria, the Filters List selection will change to “Custom.” FolderMatch will display a Filter Status button in the Filter Information Area, showing visual details about the current filter.

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1How to see details about the current filter

 

The Filter Information Area shows status information about the current filter.  It's the blue-colored section beneath the Filters Toolbar.   

 

•No Filter Active: When no filters are applied, a regular filter image appears with text explaining how to select a filter.

 

filtersinformationarea_nofilters-color
 

 

•Filter Active: When filters are applied, the filter image will show a green dot, and text will indicate that filtering is active. Details about the current filters will be provided.
 

filtersinformationarea_filtersapplied-color

 

Buttons representing each filter criterion applied will appear at the bottom of the Filter Information Area. These are the filter status buttons.  One button appears for each type of filter criterion being applied.  For example, three buttons are shown when you filter based on Type, Date, and Result.
 

did you know
Adjust Text Size
To change the text size in the Filter Information Area, hold down the Ctrl key ctrl keyon your keyboard and use the scroll wheel on your mouse to adjust the font size.
 

 

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Edit a filter

 
To modify an existing filter:

 

1.Add Criteria

•Steps: Select the new criteria from the Filter Criteria drop-down menus.

•Example: To add a Date filter, choose the Date menu and select the new criteria.

 

resultstoshow_datecriteria

 

2.Change Criteria Details

•Steps: Update the details of existing filter criteria from the Filter Criteria drop-down menus.

•Example: Change the Date criteria from “This Month” to “This Week” by selecting the new option from the Date menu.

 

resultstoshow_datecriteria_thisweek

 

3.Remove Criteria

•Steps: Click on the corresponding Filter Status button to remove a criterion.

•Example: To remove the Size filter, click on the Size filter status button. A red X will appear when you hover over the button.

 

size_filterstatusbutton

 

4.Remove All Filters

•Steps: Click on each filter status button to remove them individually or select “All Files and Folders” from the Filters List to quickly remove all filters.

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Save a filter

 

To save a custom filter, press the Save button Save Filter toolbar button on the Filters toolbar. When you do so, the program will ask you to provide a name for the filter. The name must be unique (i.e. no predefined or user-defined filter may already have this name.) The program will add the name of your custom filter to the Filters list and save it for your future use.

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Delete/Rename a filter

 

To delete or rename a filter, press the Maintain Filters List button Maintain Filters List toolbar button on the Filters Toolbar.  This will open the Maintain Filters List window where you may delete or rename user-defined filters.
 
Note: The Predefined filters cannot be deleted or renamed.