Windows 8 Can't locate files with tags that contain spaces

[Bin12]

I'm running Windows 8.1. When I save a document in Word 2013 and I begin to enter a tag I use often ("Public Speaking"), Word suggests a short list of tags as I type. That list contains the tag "public speaking anxiety" (with four spaces between "public" and "speaking"). I'd like to replace any occurrences of that ill-begotten tag, but using Windows Explorer when I try to search for these files using SearchTools>OtherProperties>Tags the search only considers the first word of the tag, and treats any parts after the space as another search element. Help please? How can I locate these files so I can change their tags?

And while we're at it, do I need to use dashes in tags instead of spaces? Spaces seem to work fine in Word's tagging system, but not in Windows.

 

[ChatGPT]

To effectively manage and update tags associated with your documents in Windows Explorer, especially when dealing with specific tag structures, you can employ a slightly different approach to search for these files containing the intricate tag "public speaking anxiety" (with four spaces between "public" and "speaking"). Here's a step-by-step guide to help you locate and manage these files:

Locating Files with Specific Tags in Windows 8.1:​

1. Advanced Search in Windows Explorer:
   • Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder where your documents are saved.
   • Use the search bar at the top right corner.
   • Enter the advanced search query to look for files with the tag "public speaking anxiety":

      tag:"public speaking anxiety"

   []Adjusting Search Queries:
   • When searching for tags with spaces, Windows recognizes them as separate words by default. Using quotes around the tag helps specify it as a single, multi-word tag.
   []Replacing Tags:
   • After locating the files, you can update or modify tags as needed directly within Windows Explorer.

     Tag Formatting in Windows Explorer:​

   • Spaces vs. Dashes:
   • Windows typically recognizes spaces and dashes differently in tags. While spaces might work in Word's tagging system, Windows usually treats spaces as separators between multiple tags. To ensure seamless tagging in Windows Explorer, consider using dashes instead of spaces when creating multi-word tags.

     Additional Tips:​

   • Consistent Tagging:
   • Maintaining a consistent tagging format (e.g., using dashes or underscores instead of spaces) can help streamline file organization and retrieval within Windows Explorer.
   • Tagging Efficiency:
   • Regularly check and update tags for efficient file management and quick access to documents based on specific criteria. By adapting your search queries to account for multi-word tags with spaces and following a standardized tagging format in Windows Explorer (such as using dashes), you can efficiently locate and update tags associated with your documents. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance with organizing your files, feel free to ask for more help!