Attachments and Files

Next to its note, a thought can hold files, web links, and links to files and folders on your computer. These topics cover adding attachments, previewing and managing them, encrypting sensitive files, and keeping files available offline.

• Adding Attachments — Attach files, web links, and (on desktop) external files, folders, and files made from templates to any thought, from the Add Attachment menu, by dragging files or links in, or by pasting a file, image, or web address from the clipboard.
• Linking to External Files and Folders — On the desktop app, attach a file or folder as a link that stays on your computer instead of being copied into the brain — by drag and drop, from the Add Attachment menu, or by moving an attached file out of the brain; linked files and folders don't count toward cloud storage.
• Viewing Attachments — Preview an attachment inside TheBrain (images, PDFs, text, Markdown, video, and audio), close a preview or step to the next attachment, open a file in its own app (on the desktop app, edits you save there are kept in the brain), edit an attached Markdown file like a note, and switch the attachments section between grid and list views.
• Managing Attachments — Rename, delete, reorder, and download attachments, and on desktop move or copy files in and out of the brain or set one as the thought's icon; renaming a file or folder attachment renames the actual file; a deleted attachment can be undone until the brain is closed, and on the desktop app also goes to your computer's trash; "[Conflict]" files hold a version that lost a sync or undo conflict.
• Encrypting Attachments — Encrypt a file attachment with a password on the desktop app, which turns it into a .brenc file; open an encrypted attachment with its password on the desktop and mobile apps, or decrypt it permanently on desktop to edit it. The web app cannot decrypt.
• Offline Attachments and Light Sync — Light sync, which is on by default for a synced brain and is set separately on each device, downloads attachments only as needed to save space and bandwidth; a cloud badge marks a file that is not on the device yet, and you can mark individual files Available Offline to keep them there.
• Images in Notes — Add images to a note by pasting, dragging them in (desktop app), or uploading files, resize them on a computer, and see where note images are stored and how they count toward storage.