A snapshot tag uses the Tag Wizard to evaluate criteria once, capturing all matching files at creation time into a regular manual tag. Unlike a smart tag, a snapshot doesn't store criteria and won't update when new files are uploaded or processed.
How to create a snapshot tag
Open the Tag Wizard from the Tags tab and define your criteria just as you would for a smart tag. Before saving, uncheck the "Auto-update when files change" checkbox at the bottom of the dialog. When you click Create Tag, Hintyr evaluates the criteria against every file in the case, adds all matching files to a new manual tag, and discards the criteria. The result is a standard manual tag pre-populated with the files that matched at creation time.
Notice that the save button label changes from Create Smart Tag to Create Tag when you uncheck auto-update. This visual cue confirms you're creating a one-time snapshot rather than a persistent smart tag.
Auto-update vs snapshot behavior
The key difference between a smart tag and a snapshot tag is what happens after creation:
- Smart tag (auto-update checked) - Criteria are saved with the tag. You can re-evaluate later to pick up newly matching files. The tag stays a smart tag and shows a sparkle icon.
- Snapshot tag (auto-update unchecked) - Criteria are evaluated once, then discarded. The resulting tag is a plain manual tag with no stored criteria. New files that would have matched won't be added automatically.
After creation, you manage a snapshot tag exactly like any other manual tag. You can add or remove files by hand, rename it, or delete it. There's no way to re-evaluate its original criteria because they aren't retained.
When to use snapshot tags
Snapshot tags are useful when you need to freeze a document set at a specific point in time. Common scenarios include:
- Production set preparation - Capture all documents matching production criteria as of a specific date. New uploads after that date won't be added, keeping the set stable while you apply Bates numbers and redactions.
- Baseline comparison - Take a snapshot before and after a major upload to compare which files were present at each stage.
- Review milestones - Freeze a criteria-based document set at a review checkpoint. You can then manually adjust the set based on further human review without worrying about automatic re-evaluation changing it.
- Audit trail - Record exactly which files met certain criteria at a given moment, which may matter for defensibility or compliance.
Snapshot tags vs manual tags created from scratch
Once created, a snapshot tag is identical to a manual tag. The only difference is how it was initially populated. A manual tag starts empty and you add files by hand. A snapshot tag starts pre-populated with files matching the criteria you defined in the Tag Wizard. After creation, both behave the same way and offer the same management options.