Use Smart Folders in Notes on Mac

You can create a custom Smart Folder to organize notes by criteria that you specify. Smart Folders don’t contain notes; they contain references to notes in other folders. Smart Folders also can’t be locked, turned into subfolders, or shared, although they can reference shared notes.

1. Go to the Notes app on your Mac.

2. Do one of the following:

   • Click File > New Folder, then select “Make into Smart Folder” in the pop-up menu that appears.

   • Choose File > New Smart Folder.

3. Type a name for the Smart Folder.

4. Specify the criteria for including notes in the Smart Folder.

   • Set the first rule: Click the first pop-up menu, choose an option (such as Tags, Date Created, or Date Edited), then complete the rule using the other available menus (they vary depending on your choice in the first pop-up menu).

     For example, to include only notes that contain checklists with checked items, choose Checklists from the first pop-up menu and Checked from the second one.

   • Add or remove rules: To create additional rules, click . To remove a rule, click .

   • Set the scope of multiple rules: If you have more than one rule, use the pop-up menu under the Name field to choose whether a note must meet any or all of the criteria to be included in the Smart Folder.

   Tip: To create a Smart Folder that contains only untagged notes, choose Tags from the first pop-up menu, then choose Untagged Notes Only from the other pop-up menu.

5. Click OK.

When you convert a folder into a Smart Folder, all of its notes are moved to the Notes folder and tagged with #[Folder Name]. This can’t be undone.

1. Go to the Notes app on your Mac.

2. Click the folder you want to convert in the sidebar.

   If you don’t see the sidebar, choose View > Show Folders.

3. Click next to the folder name, choose Convert to Smart Folder, then click Convert.

   You can’t convert a folder that is shared, contains a locked or shared note, or has a subfolder.

You can change the name of a Smart Folder, modify one of its filters, or add filters. A Smart Folder must have at least one filter.

1. Go to the Notes app on your Mac.

2. Control-click a Smart Folder, then choose Edit Smart Folder.

   You can also position the pointer over a Smart Folder, click , then choose Edit Smart Folder.

3. Do any of the following:

   • Change the Smart Folder name: Enter a new name in the Name field.

   • Change the criteria for what’s included in the Smart Folder: To remove a rule, click . To add a rule, click . To change a rule, use the pop-up menus.

You can also move the Smart Folder in the sidebar. Just drag the folder to the location you want.

1. Go to the Notes app on your Mac.

2. Do any of the following:

   • Control-click a Smart Folder, then choose Delete Folder.

   • Position the pointer over a Smart Folder, click , then choose Delete Folder.

   • Click a Smart Folder in the sidebar, then choose Edit > Delete.

3. Click Delete to confirm.

Deleting a Smart Folder doesn’t delete the notes it references; they remain in their folders.