On my iPad, I use iCloud Drive and the Files app. My files are organized in folders in iCloud Drive so that I can access them on all of my devices.
I frequently want to point to a file that is stored in a different folder.
For example, I have four folders in iCloud Drive that I access via the Files app on iPad. I would like to have a reference/pointer to the same file (e.g., a PDF) in all of those four folders.
Having copies of the file in different folders causes redundancy and it needs space. When I update the file, I have to update it in all folders.
On macOS, I can create a symbolic link or an alias for such purposes. I believe that this is not possible on iOS and iPadOS.
I‘m aware of tags and favorites. However, they are global and I don‘t want to clutter these with files I need only in certain projects. They also cannot be organized hierarchically like folders and subfolders.
So, what is the best way to point to a file in a different folder without having a copy of that file?
Although symlinks and aliases are not supported by iPadOS, I am looking for creative ideas to deal with this shortcoming.
Let‘s start collecting ideas:
For a small number of projects (or something similar), tags are feasible, where the tag name may be equal to the project name (thanks „nohillside“)
One could have one folder where all the original files for all projects are stored. Then, in a project folder, one would have a text document with the name of the file, which serves as a pointer. With this approach, one would not even have to store the full path but only the name of the file (since all original full-size files are in one and the same folder). This would work but it is cumbersome since one cannot just click on the text document to open the original file.
Other creative ideas, which may be better and/or easier to use than the ones above — or that are just alternatives — will be added here.