Import is replacing dots in filenames with dashes but I want it to recognize hierarchy

[bugfixd]

Please select the area your bug applies to. (Multiple selections are Possible. You can leave blank if you're not sure.)

• [ ] Workspace. VSCode workspace, vaults, Intellisense/autocomplete, Dendron settings
• [ ] Lookup. Dendron's Lookup Command
• [ ] Views. Dendron Preview, Tree View, Side Panels in the UI
• [ ] Schema. Dendron Schemas
• [X] Pod. Data import from / export to Dendron
• [ ] Publish. External Site Publish
• [ ] Markdown. Markdown features, such as syntax support and features

Describe the bug

I am doing batch importing of Markdown files. I have named my files using dot delimited filenames, with the goal of importing them into my Dendron hierarchy.

However, Dendron is treating the dots as part of the filenames and replacing the dots with dashes, rather than interpreting the dots as representing hierarchy.

For example, if I import the following files:

pets.cats.fluffy.md pets.dogs.rover.md

then when Dendron imports them, it renames them to:

pets-cats-fluffy.md pets-dogs-rover.md

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Create files to import using dot delimited filenames representing Dendron hierarchy.
2. Run the command: Dendron: Import Pod > dendron.markdown
3. Check the imported files, which have been renamed to replace dots with dashes in the filenames.

Expected behavior

When I import files which I have intentionally named using dots to represent hierarchy, I want them to be imported with the dots intact so that they are properly incorporated into my Dendron hierarchy.

Suggestion: Perhaps a setting could be added to the Markdown import pod configuration file (Dendron\pods\dendron.markdown\config.import.yml) to specify how dots in filenames should be handled.

Screenshots

Desktop

• OS: Windows 10 Pro
• Browser (if with published websites; include version): Chrome
• Versions (all that apply to bug):
  • Dendron Extension: v0.93.0
  • VS Code version: 1.66.2

[aleksey-rowan]

Hey, @bugfixd, if you have markdown files and you've already renamed all your files the way you want them to appear in hierarchies, you can just manually copy them into your vault, reload VSCode, and run Dendron's `Doctor: fixFrontmatter" command to add the missing frontmatter and that's it.

[bugfixd]

Hi @aleksey-rowan, thanks for that suggestion. It's a good workaround. 👍

But compared to a proper import, it's not as easy and it takes more steps. Note that importing also handles assets, automatically moving them into the assets folder and refactoring asset links in the notes. :)

[hikchoi]

Hey @bugfixd, thank you for the report.

This is the expected behavior. Changing them into dots is necessary because we can't assume all of our users have their file names already in a dot hierarchy form.

That being said, I think your suggestion makes sense. Do you mind if I change this into a feature request instead of a bug since it is working as intended?

@Harshita-mindfire pinging for visibility. Can we add a config / prompt to ask if the user wants dots treated as hierarchies?

[bugfixd]

Hi @hikchoi, thanks for your help. :) Sure, go ahead and change it into a feature request. 👍