Feature: Add toolbar icon with dropdown list of tags

[carlosvsilva]

What feature or improvement do you think would benefit Files?

The toolbar where copy/paste icons are, needs another icon to assign a tag to the current selected file.

Requirements

• This proposal will allow the users to tag files effectively with a clearly visible button, without forcing the user to search with the pointer for the screen location of each file and right clicking and going to the secondary tag menu which is too much hassle and makes it harder for the user to rely on tags for everyday use.

Files Version

2.4.40.0

Windows Version

Win11 22H2 10.0.22621.1265

Comments

[yaira2]

You can drag items to tags in the sidebar to assign them. I think the existing two methods is enough but I'd like to hear some feedback from other users on this.

[yaira2]

We're also planning to add keyboard shortcuts for assigning/removing tags so I think this will be redundant.

[carlosvsilva]

Well, having to pinpoint with the mouse the exact location of the file on the screen, and then dragging it to the exact location of the tag on the sidebar will cross the threshold of hassle for the average user to continue to use tags, and I think most will just give up.
Having the icon on the toolbar will be the most effective means of using tags daily without giving up on them. Even keyboard shortcuts might not be easy to remember, except for the heaviest of users.

I would also suggest an option in settings to enable/disable multiple tags per file, because at least for me (status/priority of work on each file) having more than 1 tag on a file is counterproductive. In my workflow, a file is either regular priority/high/urgent priority, or 'done'. Never 2 at the same time.
Thanks.

[yaira2]

Well, having to pinpoint with the mouse the exact location of the file on the screen, and then dragging it to the exact location of the tag on the sidebar will cross the threshold of hassle for the average user to continue to use tags, and I think most will just give up.

The file has to be selected in the first place, and by that logic, you still need to move the mouse to the toolbar, click the button and locate the correct tag from the dropdown. Keyboard shortcuts will be easily accessible from the command palette once it's ready.

[carlosvsilva]

Dragging and dropping while searching the screen for the exact locations is much harder in general, and in a laptop touchpad nearly impossible, particularly on the go. So why make it too difficult to users on laptops (the market trend according to Intel, having even cancelled 14th gen processors for desktop) to use tags in Files? Apple has that icon in their Finder toolbar for a good reason :) Why not leverage their extensive UX research? :) I believe it would be a fundamental thing for Files to include. Thanks.

…

________________________________ From: Yair ***@***.***> Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:29:35 PM To: files-community/Files ***@***.***> Cc: Carlos ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [files-community/Files] Feature: Add toolbar icon with dropdown list of tags (Issue #11475) Well, having to pinpoint with the mouse the exact location of the file on the screen, and then dragging it to the exact location of the tag on the sidebar will cross the threshold of hassle for the average user to continue to use tags, and I think most will just give up. The file has to be selected in the first place, and by that logic, you still need to move the mouse to the toolbar, click the button and locate the correct tag from the dropdown. Keyboard shortcuts will be easily accessible from the command palette once it's ready. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#11475 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AJX6YTPP7UGBIAATTMQGLZ3WZST37ANCNFSM6AAAAAAVIOL6PM>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[yaira2]

Dragging and dropping while searching the screen for the exact locations is much harder in general, and in a laptop touchpad nearly impossible, particularly on the go.

It's about the same amount of effort to click the toolbar button and find the tag in the flyout than it is to use the context menu or drag & drop. Most users are happy with these options and in the future, keyboard shortcuts will provide a quicker method. The command palette will make the shortcuts accessible to regular users as well, and keep in mind, most are already happy with the existing methods for applying tags.

Adding a button to the toolbar for tags seems like an unnecessary addition given we're already adding shortcuts. The button would crowd the toolbar, and it wouldn't even be used by the majority of users. When I ask myself if it's worth complicating the toolbar for this, I keep arriving at the conclusion that it's not necessary.

Please keep in mind, this isn't final, I'm just putting down my thoughts. It's also possible I misunderstood what you're looking for so perhaps you can share a screenshot of this feature in Finder.

[carlosvsilva]

Well Finder does exactly what I suggest adopting in Files:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/mac-finder-remove-tag-purple.jpg

Even better, the right click in macOS doesn't hide the tags in a submenu, it's right in the first list of options of the first right-click.

If Files adopts a tags icon in the toolbar like Apple, the mouse never even needs to leave that tags toolbar icon, as users can navigate many files with a keyboard (pressing the initial letter of the name, and using arrow keys to fine tune) while the mouse quickly assigns the desired tag via toolbar icon.

But if tags are not meant to be as important and widespread as Cut/Copy/Paste, then instead of the toolbar icon, maybe having the tag colored circles in the first level of right click on a file, instead of a submenu, can be an excellent middle ground :)

Thanks

[yaira2]

But if tags are not meant to be as important and widespread as Cut/Copy/Paste, then instead of the toolbar icon, maybe having the tag colored circles in the first level of right click on a file, instead of a submenu, can be an excellent middle ground :)

We did this originally, but it was very confusing to know which color was for which tag. It also got out of hand when there were a lot of tags.

Well Finder does exactly what I suggest adopting in Files:

Can you attach a screenshot?

[carlosvsilva]

We did this originally, but it was very confusing to know which color was for which tag. It also got out of hand when there were a lot of tags.

now in the sidebar the names of the tags by color are available at a glance

I believe an implementation that works would be Files 5 default tags (or customized first 5 tags) in the root of the right click menu, and any remaining tags in the sub-menu (submenu only for the "overflowing" tags).

Screenshot of a nice proposal:

[yaira2]

I see, so it's a smaller button without any text. I'll give this some thought and see the other feedback comes in regarding the tags feature before making a decision.

[Jay-o-Way]

Same thing as in an email app, right? So yes, makes sense to me.
But guys, if you're going to debate on the number of pixels a pointer might have to move...??

[carlosvsilva]

Dragging and dropping while searching the screen for the exact locations is much harder in general, and in a laptop touchpad nearly impossible, particularly on the go.

[yaira2]

Having the icon on the toolbar will be the most effective means of using tags daily without giving up on them. Even keyboard shortcuts might not be easy to remember, except for the heaviest of users.

We're working on a command palette so it's just one shortcut. It hasn't been finalized but in addition to regular actions, I'd like it to display the available tags.