Cataloging drives and folders

Exporting a catalog

Updated 2026-10-01 · 3 min read

Export is for portability: the catalog can travel even when the source drive cannot.

The useful distinction

Catalog’s Export action creates an Everywhere catalog archive that can be copied like any other file. Export the catalog after a completed scan, keep its name tied to the source, and move it through an approved channel. Exporting does not include the original file contents; it carries the searchable inventory and its source identity so the destination Mac can browse it offline.

A careful workflow

Open Catalog… from Everywhere’s menu bar item and add the drive or folder that matters. Let the first catalogue finish, then search by filename and browse the recorded folder tree. When the source is disconnected, the catalogue remains available and results are labelled offline so you know why opening the file requires reconnecting the drive.

Keep the original drive unchanged, use a clear catalogue name, and rescan after a large round of changes. Catalogues are for the places you choose; they do not silently turn a whole-Mac search into a second scan.

Common questions

Does export include the drive’s files?

No. It exports catalog data, not the source files.

Should I export while a rescan is running?

Wait for a completed scan so the archive represents a consistent catalog state.