Search functionality not working in all cases
under review
H
Henry Sir
MacOS 15.3.1, Capacities Desktop-App 1.45.22
Sometimes (dependent on search string) using "CMD+P", or "Search content" in Raycast an object gets outlined which I don't know what it contains. Clicking it to open I receive a msg. that the object has been deleted.
I tried to figure out the reasons and tested
a) I really renamed an object (type Page), let us say from „Obj_old" to „Obj_new“ -> using CMD+P search string „Obj“ presents the no longer existing „Obj_old", too - which is unexpected. Being provided with a list of objects which partially contain valid content, and a portion of it only open a "Object deleted"-indicator page is not that helpful (see screenshots 3+4).
b) used Raycasts „search content“ and asked to search for „Obj“; the same here - the old object is presented in the list, too; clicking to open it, opens Capacities page, telling me that object has been deleted.
...to b) I did restart the app, and, following Beth's advice, synchronised data using Raycast function. Result of recheck was the same.
In general, I assume that this is related to the trash bin content, as it seems, as the objects contained within are presented as hits of a search, too.
Is there a way to delete bin early, instead of waiting 30 days to have them eliminated by apps design?
Additional:
As being a bit irritated by this behaviour, I did some tests around searching and experienced 2 add. points:
c) Having an object type Weblink, and inserted text "TESTTESTTEST" into the text field.
- Searching for "TEST" does not present this weblink object in the search results - neither does it with strings "TESTT", "TESTTE", "TESTTES", nor "TESTTEST". Only with search string "TESTTESTT" up to the fully qualified the Weblink this Weblink object gets listed (see screenshots 1 + 2).
- the same behaviour using "Extended search"
d) sent a Whatsapp msg to daily page containing a word "Bugbell"
- reminding myself that it had to do with bug, I searched for "Bug", without success, neither with "Bugb", only "Bugbe" and further qualified search string does lead to presenting this daily page object in search results.
Hope you will find a solution (or an explanation, if I overlooked an info) - but currently I am a bit uncertain, whether I can find the things I am looking for the moment I would like to...
In case of questions feel free to contact me.
Log In
Steffen Bleher
under review
H
Henry Sir
Hi Steffen, as requested I reworked the topics as following. Supporting pics are already in this thread...
- Top1: Search function presents results, which are not valid anymore (beside those, which were found correctly):
- Deleted objects - contained in trash bin
- with fix announced (info from 27.05.2025) all post-fix deleted objects shall be deleted after 30 days as planned. But objects deleted prior to this fix/date are still in trash bin, and get referenced while searching.
- Objects which cannot be opened. Trying so, a msg "Error occurred" appears.
- those objects are not in the library, nor in trash bin - I have no clue why the get presented/ where the algorithm is taking the information from.
- Top2: Search function partially does not present results as expected, when search string is not fully qualified
- An object type Weblink, contains text "TESTTESTTEST" in the text field.
- Searching for "TEST" does not present this weblink object in the search results - neither does it with strings "TESTT", "TESTTE", "TESTTES", nor "TESTTEST". Only with search string "TESTTESTT" up to the fully qualified the Weblink this Weblink object gets listed.
b1) Searching for "abase" (as a sub-portion of the string "database")
- List of results: 5 objects - 3 of those are related to "Heptabase", 2 to database.
b2) Searching fully qualified "database"
- List of results: 13 objects, all related to database.
H
Henry Sir
- Requests:
- Top1
- Please make it happen:
- that deleted objects are not presented in search results at all.
- users being able to delete all old objects in trash bin - at least once - to get rid of those.
- Feature requests:
- Implementation of add. field/info "deletion date" to objects in trash bin.
- Possibility to check the content of the object within the trash bin; by this one would not have the need to restore the object, just to find out if it was the one looking for.
- Please explain what the result "Error occurred" is for - I asked a couple of occasions, but no info so far & fix it, so these orphans will not show any longer
- Top2
- it should be possible to achieve comparable search results, independent of search string length - so in general -> providing a reliable search functionality
- Honestly expressed - I cannot imagine that i M the only one facing those issues, especially when using standard products as MacBook Pro 13, MacOS 15.5, and Capacities desktop app V1.49.4 (as most probably many others, too).
Best,
Henry
Capacities
closed
Thanks for sharing. We could reproduce the “Deleted objects” bug and fixed it. Unfortunately, it’s only fixed for objects getting deleted from now on but we’re looking for a fix for old objects as well.
I could not reproduce the other issues, both cases are working for me. It would be great if you could modify the documents by adding some more text to them and then try again (20 sec later).
Thanks for your help.
H
Henry Sir
Dear Team,
as I tried to provide at least a certain structure from a) - d) it would be helpful referencing to those, to make me understand, what to expect and what not.
I try to recap my understanding:
- Deleted objects from the past will remain forever, until you can fix them?
- new ones (as from today onwards) are going to get deleted after 30 days?
[Remark: as per diff. comm.channel - a) it would be helpful one would find an indicator "deletion date" and, b) as in other apps (e.g. Heptabase) to be able to see object content. What is it useful for, if one need to restore an object only to find out whether it is the one, one was looking for (and if not, to delete it again)?]
- the search issues (my points c) +d) ) could not be reproduced?
I am puzzled as this seems to be a repetitive behaviour of Capacities and I do wonder if and why I am the only one having this issue, although using a Mac, latest version of MacOS + Capacities Desktop Rel., and why it can't be reproduced.
On top of it there is sub-issue e) inserted on 31.03. to this record, which is as well open/ still existing:
- I just search for "z/d" again
- the weblink (see image) is presented
- clicking onto it -> Msg. "Error occurred"
- so far, nobody responded, to let me know what this does mean per definition, error occurred?
- I checked trash bin and scrolled through all deleted objects - it is not in.
- I checked weblinks (sorted descending, and scrolled through entries "H" (as the the weblink shall start with "Hill's") - it is not in.
So, where is the search result coming from and how can I get rid of of those?
Please let me know how I can be of help... If you want me to test something in certain way or to provide more detail, too :-)
Henry
H
Henry Sir
Dear Team,
With respect to your recommendation to modify document/adding more text...
- the general matter is whether I can remember what a possible word or string might exist. For me it is relevant that the object will be found in any way, and not that it only is found when I can memorise search strings?!?
- I just did and inserted "is a search string" behind the the one I searched for (TESTTESTTEST), and did a successful search for "is a search"
- tried a couple of others and ran into the next question - using search "abase" as part of the word "database", I receive a few results. Searching but for "database", I receive a lot more hits. So, why is this? Can I only search fully qualified?!?!
Henry
H
Henry Sir
A new one (first time) on the search issue matter.
Searching for z/d, search result shows the Weblink I looked for, trying to open it -> Error occurred (so this time no object opening, nor indication that it has been deleted)
Capacities
in progress
The ticket is in progress. This means that we are actively working on it.
Steffen Bleher
under review
H
Henry Sir
Anything new on this matter?
BTW: the iPad app has the same issues as desktop app
Steffen Bleher
Henry Sir: We have this on the radar, thanks for sharing in such detail. Reworking search is on our list!
Capacities
open
Not actively worked on, moved to open for now.
Steffen Bleher
under review