Before you start
- Open the Brain and look at its file list. A file that failed shows Couldn’t be read, and the Error filter above the list shows only those files. The reason is written under the file’s name.
- Files Elephas refuses before adding them, such as an unsupported type, do not appear in the list. You see a notice instead: “file name could not be imported.” followed by the reason. When several files are refused at once, the notice gives the count.
- Check the supported file types if you are not sure Elephas reads a format.
Steps
1
Find the message
In the Brain, choose the Error filter above the file list and read the line under the file’s name.
2
Fix the cause
Use the tables below. Most fixes happen outside Elephas, such as saving the file in another format or making it smaller.
3
Retry or add the file again
For a file in the list, click Retry on its row, or open the row’s More menu and choose Retry. For a refused file, add it again after fixing it.
File messages
Folder messages
Elephas looks up to 8 folder levels deep. Files nested deeper than that are not added. See add files and folders.
Web page messages
See add web pages.
Permission problems
- Mac
- Windows
macOS may ask whether Elephas can access files in folders such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, or a removable or network drive. If you clicked Don’t Allow, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Files and Folders, find Elephas and turn on the folder it needs. Then click Retry.Files in iCloud Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive must be downloaded to your Mac first. Open the file once, or mark it to always keep on this device.
How it works
When you add a file, Elephas copies it into its own storage and reads it on your computer. Indexing happens on your computer. Always. Nothing is uploaded to read your files, and a file that fails is never sent anywhere to be fixed. Elephas protects itself from files that are too large or unusual by refusing them with a plain reason, instead of freezing or failing the whole batch. Each file is read on its own, so one failed file does not stop the others. Scanned PDFs and images are read with text recognition on your computer. It reads English by default and handles up to 500 pages per document. See scanned PDFs and images.Troubleshooting
A file says it is already in this Brain
A file says it is already in this Brain
Elephas found an identical file already in the Brain and linked to it instead of adding a duplicate. Nothing failed.
A scanned PDF imported, but some pages say they have no readable text
A scanned PDF imported, but some pages say they have no readable text
Elephas added the file and notes pages it could not read, such as blank pages or pages with very faint text. The rest of the document works. A clearer scan reads better.
Importing a large library is slow
Importing a large library is slow
Big folders and long scans take time, and Elephas reads them in the background. See performance and large libraries.