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===== - Auto Book File Lister =====

The Auto Book File Lister allows you to quickly create structured file and folder listings by dragging and dropping files or folders into the window. The listing can be customized via a wide range of options and previewed live on the right side of the interface.

The File Lister is optimized for ease of use and convenience, with project management applications in mind. In typical scenarios involving thousands of files, output is generated instantly. While performance for extremely large listings was not the primary focus, the Auto Book File Lister has been successfully tested on full disk scans with over a million files – in such extreme cases, generation may take a few minutes.

==== - To Get Started ====

Simply drop one or more files or folders onto the Databases panel on Auto Book's Home tab. 

That is, drop files/folders to be listed here:

{{ :autobook-v2.13-databases-panel.png?direct&600 |}}

Then configure the options on the left-hand side and click **Create File List** to generate your listing.

Your selected options are automatically remembered so that most often, you can simply reuse your previous settings and only need to click **Create File List**.

Here's an example screen with Preview:

{{ :autobook-v2.13-filelister-sample.png?direct |}}
==== - Which Data to Get ====

Select what kind of information to include in the file list:

  * **Folder/file name only**  
    Only the names of files and folders will be listed.

  * **Name, size, and date modified**  
    Adds file size and last modified date to each entry.

  * **Extended information (all details)**  
    Includes additional metadata such as attributes, timestamps, and full size info.

==== - Path Information ====

Control how path data is represented:

  * **Don't show path**  
    Only the file/folder names are shown, without any path info.

  * **Show path in separate column**  
    The file/folder path appears in a separate column next to the name.

  * **Show path and file/folder name together in the first column**  
    Merges the path and file/folder name into a single entry.

    - When this option is selected, the checkbox **ONLY for folders** appears and limits path merging to folders only.

    - The **Use absolute instead of relative paths** option lets you toggle between absolute (e.g., `C:\...`) and relative paths.

==== - Where to Put the Data ====

Choose the output destination for the generated file list:

  * **Copy file list to clipboard**  
    The list is copied to your clipboard and can be pasted elsewhere.

  * **Save file list as a Database**  
    Stores the file list as an Auto Book Database in the Databases folder. The file list will be show in the [[manual#Databases Panel and Context Menu|Databases panel]] on Auto Book's Home tab and can be opened in Auto Book [[manual#Dataviewer|Dataviewer]] by double-clicking it.

  * **Save file list to parent folder**  
    Writes a plain text file containing the listing into the parent folder of the dropped files/folders.

==== - File and Folder Options ====

These checkboxes let you refine the structure and filtering of your file list:

  * **Include all subfolders**  
    Recursively processes all subfolders beneath the dropped items.

  * **Don't list the folders themselves (only their content)**  
    Skips folder entries and only shows the files inside.

  * **Indent folder structure**  
    Visually represents folder depth using indentation.

  * **Show 📁 before folder names**  
    Adds a folder icon before each folder name in the listing.

  * **Exclude hidden files/folders**  
    Skips any items marked as hidden by the operating system.

  * **Exclude system files/folders**  
    Omits files and folders marked as system-critical (e.g., `System Volume Information`).

==== - Preview ====

The **live preview** on the right side of the window shows how the resulting file list will look based on your current settings.

The columns adjust dynamically depending on the chosen options. Folder nesting is visualized when indentation is enabled, and the 📁 icon appears next to folder names when that option is selected.

==== - Final Step ====

Once all options are configured, click the **Create File List** button to generate the listing using the selected output method(s). Use **Cancel** to close the dialog without generating a list.