DataTags & Search
DataTags are structured metadata fields you attach to items. They make your content searchable and filterable across every environment, even as your library grows into hundreds of items.
What DataTags are
Every item in Knovis can carry a set of metadata fields: a title, description, keywords, notes, date, link, and more. These fields are called DataTags. They're separate from the item's label and thumbnail; they're the information layer beneath the surface.
You fill in DataTags in the item dialog under the Data Tags tab. They're stored with the item file, so they follow the item wherever it's placed.
Standard fields
| Field | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Title | The full name of the content (distinct from the canvas label) |
| Description | A short summary, one or two sentences |
| Keywords | Searchable tags, semicolon-separated |
| Notes | Your personal observations, context, or reminders |
| Date | Publication date, air date, or any relevant date |
| Link | A related web URL (separate from the item's target) |
| Collection Role | How this item fits in the collection : Overview, Primary Source, Case Study, Deep Dive or Background |
| Flagged | Mark items you want to surface quickly |
Keywords
Keywords are the most flexible field. Separate them with semicolons: research; history; primary source; 2024. Use them to describe topic, category, source, status, or whatever helps you find things later. The more consistently you tag, the more useful search becomes.
Searching
Choose View → Find / Search (Ctrl+F) to open the Search Results side panel. It searches your whole library, or only the open environment when This environment only is ticked. Type a keyword, part of a title, or a phrase from a description: a plain search looks in Title, Description and Keywords. The Criteria tab searches any DataTag field, with Contains, Equals, Does Not Contain or Any, combined with AND/OR.
In the results, double-click an item to open its target, or Shift + double-click to zoom the canvas to it. In edit mode, double-clicking opens the item's editor instead.
You can also ask the agent: "find halo" opens the same panel with the matches.
Saved searches
A search can be saved as an item: create an item with the target type Item Search and set it up on its Search Criteria and Search Display Data tabs. Activating the item runs the search and shows the current matches in the Search Results panel, so it always reflects your library as it is now. This is useful for views like "all flagged items" or "everything tagged with a specific keyword."