by Marcel Dufresne
Jan 5, 2021
HoudahSpot is a versatile file search application for the Mac that works with Spotlight to help you find items stored on your drives. HoudahSpot takes the Spotlight search to a higher level with its powerful filtering ability. By quickly refining your search, you will find what you are just looking for much faster. It is perfect for tracking down a misplaced file, or when you are looking for something but you can’t quite remember its exact name. Because HoudahSpot builds upon the existing Spotlight engine, it allows for fast searches without the need to run a full index rebuild. HoudahSpot works both as an efficient everyday replacement for the built-in Spotlight interface and when needed, it acts as a powerful search tool.
With its intuitive technology, HoudahSpot makes it easy to create queries and narrow down the search to get to the files you are trying to find. HoudahSpot starts searching as soon as you type in a query without having to click the “Start” button. Find files by name, text, kind, date, tags, pixel count, author, recipient, etc. There is a myriad of criteria you can search. Further exploring of the results is straightforward. You can add any number of columns to the results list. There are well over 100 attributes that can be listed and sorted. Finally, you can examine the result files by previewing text content, file metadata, or by using the Quick Look feature.
I last reviewed HoudahSpot three years ago. For the purpose of this review, I am going to emphasize only the significant changes to this upgrade. Click here if you wish the previous, more in-depth accounting of the application.
My favourite feature is the Apple Mail plug-in that allows HoudahSpot to list Mail message files alongside my other search results.
HoudahSpot now has the capability to get search results from only the top level of a folder hierarchy. Some wanted the ability to find files by various criteria but avoid the recursive nature of a typical file search. They want to see a filtered view of a single folder’s contents.
The Tag Cloud lists your favorite file tags as well as all the tags found in the current search results. It also indicates the number of occurrences of each tag. By clicking one of the tags, you will be able to refine your search.
Filters help you focus on relevant files by only showing you a subset of the search results. You can filter files to show only those that share a common property. HoudahSpot can also filter files by name, path, and folder names. These filters support regular expressions. With HoudahSpot 6, you can combine multiple filters.
The Filter by Folder restricts search results to only the files in the root level of a select folder and ignore nested folders. You can now use HoudahSpot’s search criteria and filters to get a filtered view of a folder’s content. For example, you can list only geotagged images (files where GPS coordinates are known).
Group search results by date, size, kind, or application. This option is another way HoudahSpot can help break up search results into manageable chunks. HoudahSpot 6 can now also group by file tags or volume/drive.
HoudahSpot 6 remembers recent searches and enables you to resume an earlier search quickly.
It is configured so you can share your current search set up with a colleague or friend.
HoudahSpot 6 highlights differences in file path as you navigate the search results.
HoudahSpot 6 adds two new items to your list of customizable column search items. “Parent folder” and “Volume/Drive” are incorporated into the over a hundred choices.
Snippets are pre-configured building blocks for your search criteria. You can now option-click a snippet in the sidebar to include it in your search.
And lastly, HoudahSpot 6 has been updated with a modern look to match macOS 11.0 Big Sur. It runs at native speed on the new M1 Macs.
Comparing my older version of HoudahSpot with the current upgrade, I find that some visual changes have been incorporated to make searching more intuitive and easier to read. The window background colour seems paler and the font much darker and easier to read with my old eyes. Also, some of the icons in the window menu bar have been rearranged so they can be found faster.
HoudahSpot is a versatile desktop search tool. I use it to locate hard-to-find files and keep frequently used files within reach. I know the built-in Spotlight function has the ability to filter my searches but I always forget how to use it. HoudahSpot makes it easier to find files by name, text, content kind, author, recipient, pixel count, etc. HoudahSpot is free to try. In the demo mode, it shows a message and adds a delay when you open a file from search results. The full version costs $34. Registered users can unlock HoudahSpot using their license file or activation code. HoudahSpot 6 is built for macOS 11.0 Big Sur. It requires macOS 10.14 Mojave or newer with Spotlight indexing enabled. HoudahSpot is optimized for both Intel- and “Apple Silicon”-based Macs.
HoudahSpot has been around for over ten years and continues to complement my computer use. I find it as quick as Spotlight but much more versatile. Its ability to create complex search filters without a great deal of effort is remarkable, and more importantly, it will actually help you refine a search and quickly lead to the one specific file you’re looking for. Read more about this handy application by visiting their Web site. Save yourself some time and frustration by using this intuitive search engine.
Mause Reviews 