@Vova
Does this include iOS and Android file system ?
4 Likes
@Angelo Is this planned for one of the upcoming releases this year, i.e. opening files from anytype with external applications, editing them and saving changes back to anytype?
3 Likes
In my opinion it is a critical feature to have 
.
E.g. having design documents, UML diagrams etc. attached to a page; being able to open in native app; and save from the native app would be a great productivity boost!
8 Likes
Is there any update on ETA for this feature? It‘s a dealbreaker for me atm.
4 Likes
Hi @Nevarro Can you please share with us on what exactly do you want and what is your use case.
The file system integration still in early R&D stage. This year we have only plans for prototyping stage.
4 Likes
Sure.
I‘d like to be able to access files that are attached to a page in a way which allows me to open them in the native OS App (e.g. .docx opened in MS Word on Mac because that‘s the standard app for the OS), edit and save it with changes saved within Anytype.
I would like to do my lesson planning with Anytype at some point. And I would need to add editable files (.docx/.xlsx/.pptx and maybe any type of file).
6 Likes
The current workaround for this is to use online resources instead of local ones. For instance, you could use Google Docs or similar and just post bookmarks in your objects instead of files. Obviously, it’s not ideal, but maybe it’s something to consider if this is a deal beaker for you.
3 Likes
Thanks for sharing this idea.
Unfortunately, I cannot use such services due to privacy restrictions. And if I could, I would probably rather stay with Notion, who have offered this integration right from the start.
I hope a file integration will be implemented into AnyType so that I can fully switch over and don’t have to use workarounds due to privacy limitations.
5 Likes
Switching between editors to make quick changes to documents that weren’t created in Anytype, does feel a bit inefficient.
The main conflict is that Anytype is privacy focused, and there’s no way for the app to encrypt content which exists outside of it’s purview.
The best compromise IMO, would be to have more robust import/export options.
Something like:
-
File>Import (or drag/drop)
-
file opens in Anytype
-
you make your changes
-
save/export to initial file format, in original location
In this scenario though, it would only be shielded by encryption during the time that it’s being worked with.
5 Likes
Import and Export don’t feel like the right solution for this.
Haven’t other apps solved this already? What do they do?
When a user double-clicks a file in Anytype, couldn’t Anytype silently save it in a temporary directory, open it using the host OS (e.g., open with Finder), and then watch that file for changes so it could silently import it? Seems like there should be a solution that doesn’t have as much user interaction.
Also, you asked about a use case: I want to author documents, even Markdown docs or presentations in Markdown, and view them in Marked.app or iA Presenter, etc. I’d like to store these files in Anytype. Bear.app allows me to open a file in Marked.app but it uses iCloud on the backend.
7 Likes
We are definitely want to go in this direction. Our current plan to implement sync with file system and basically make Anytype a wrapper for operating system. So you can open another files and programs from Anytype directly
10 Likes
For now it is not that big a demand for such capabilities and it will require substantial amount of work to be done. I could see it happening soon If more users will use anytype as a file storage and will be willing to pay for extended file storage. This will incentivise us to work more towards this direction but for now our next primary target is collaboration and public sharing of spaces.
4 Likes
Hello. In a related topic, I would suggest to add a custom storage location for the media, e, g, files, pdfs, images, videos, ppts etc, which currently have to be uploaded into Anytype. That way, the files can be saved into an external storage and thus, not fill up the storage space in our device. I don’ t know if this is easier or harder or quicker or slower. But, I think anyone working with a large amount of media may benefit largely from such a feature.
It woupd also be very useful and responsible to use/ embed the same image in different objects without reuploading them each time.
Also, for the collaboration feature, that may be worked on next, responsible file management and transfer features would help a lot, I think. Myvl reasoning for this is that, many students and teachers and teams, share a lot of pdfs and word documents and video lectures etc.
There are few FRs already about each of the topics I have mentioned here. So, I am not adding any new FRs. I just have ny likes and upvotes to those topics. 
About to migrate to the pre beta. Thanks to the team for the unbelievable hard work thay have done for this update and release. 
7 Likes
Not working anymore 
WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND
Define a specific feature that is missing or could be improved:
When you open a pdf and modify the pdf and save it, the pdf automatically updates on Anytype example: I have a quiz on cats I put the pdf on anytype and I open it with Anytype I fill out the questions and I save, what I want is for the pdf on anytype to update and display the new elements automatically instead of deleting them and returning to the original state of the pdf.
HOW COULD IT BE DONE
ᅟDetail the solution you would like to get what you need:
I dont know sorry
REAL WORLD USE CASES
Describe specifically how this feature would be used, and why it should be implemented:
For example I am in class and the teacher gives a document, I scan it and I post it directly on Anytype and on Anytype I click on open I modify it and at the end I save it and it is saved on Anytype and the modification are displayed and saved and if I have to modify it again no need to 1 find the pdf, 2 modify it, 3 return to Anytype, 4 delete the original file, 5 put the pdf back on the document(s). It’s faster, isn’t it?
RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVES
ᅟPlease explain any workaround or feature you may have considered:
Nop sorry
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
ᅟIf further context, people, or related Feature Requests should be mentioned, do so right here:
Nop sorry
1 Like
WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND
When a user opens a PDF object and clicks the “Open” button, the document opens in the default PDF reader/editor app. When changes are made to the file and saved, those edits don’t persist in Anytype. Instead, it seems that a new useless copy of the file is created in the location where Anytype stores the data.
The Evernote desktop app does this flawlessly - when a file is modified and saved, it gets updated instantly in the Evernote app.
HOW COULD IT BE DONE
When opening, editing, and saving files in an external app, the file should be updated in Anytype too.
REAL WORLD USE CASES
I often need to edit/annotate files I uploaded to Anytype, and current behavior doesn’t allow that. Evernote handles this perfectly.
RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVES
ᅟPlease explain any workaround or feature you may have considered:
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
This may be a better approach than creating a full-featured PDF editor app inside Anytype, as some users suggested, because you can use the specialized PDF app of your choice, and I doubt creating a full-featured PDF tool in Anytype could ever be on par with a full-fledged PDF editor.
3 Likes
Really looking forward to this feature, it’s a must for me.
I see that there are several ways of wanting more or less the same thing here.
As far as I am concerned, I don’t want to move all my files within a software’s private database : either I have redundant storage usage (because the file is copied - Not good for the planet! ) or I end up depending entirely on that application : if it bugs, I just can’t find my files.
It is all the more important if you want Anytype to be used within companies (which is the purpose of Multispace I suppose) !
My IT department spends a considerable amount of money on Microsoft to make sure that all their docs are backed up, stored only in Europe, comply with GPDR, etc. etc. I let you imagine their reaction if I tell them that I use a third part app that stores the files on their side. You know how much system admins LOVE users telling them that they gonna use any random app found on the internet this WE, that doesn’t guarantee anything on topics they worked for months securing to avoid legal issues.
WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND
Easy access to my files stored on my computer / private cloud.
Everyone nowadays use sync feature to access their files locally - you don’t use your firefox / chrome to browse your cloud folders. I would need to click on a link on anytype that would either open the file locally, and if it can’t find it, open it online.
I find the idea of bookmarks a mere work around :
- First because you can’t add templates for different types of bookmarks
- Second, because a bookmark for a website is NOT a bookmark for a file
HOW COULD IT BE DONE
Create a new object type (let’s say “filepath”) that we could call through " /filepath ".
I could just input the following info :
- the file name
- its local path
- its online path
REAL WORLD USE CASES
I have handwritten notes taken on my ipad. I want to archive them without rewriting everything.
-
I export a pdf file into my Google Drive “handwritten notes”.
-
I copy the filepath and type on Anytype /filepath
-
Anytype shows a popup asking me to write : the file name, its filepath, its online path.
(only the filename being compulsory AND one of the 2 fields).
I type the info in & click OK. -
Anytype shows the file name with its icon.
-
When I click on the icon or the filename :
5.1. Anytype tries to open the file (with the system’s default software) and if it can’t…
5.2. Anytype opens the online location (and then, it is up to the user to do what he pleases)
On my computer, I can get the file opened right away in the correct app.
On my phone / tablet, I can access through its online path
RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVES
Nop sorry
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
Nop sorry
Hello @ignatovv !
I was checking the post about the roadmap (great way of sharing your plans on github btw!!!) and saw your discussion with Valentin. I understand some people will want all their files in a database but the other preference is also important to consider. I saw that you will be working on files as an object, so you are likely not going this direction. But my request could be a great MVP (it would be a rather a final feature for me though 
)
Honestly what i need for this is just a relation, only instead of an external URL it’s the internal filepath. So, when I click it it opens normally with the default app - why would I want my hundreds of book files on Anytype (bloating in a COMPLETELY unnecessary way) the app, when I have them already on Calibre? On Anytype I just want my page with the book details and my book notes and whatever, not the file itself - but I want to be able to open said file with a click. I’m really looking forward to being able to do this.
1 Like