# Smart collections nowhere to be found

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-windows\
**Created:** [July 30, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697 "2021-07-30T00:33:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/1 "2021-07-30T00:33:30Z")

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Server Version#: 1.23.6.4881  
Player Version#: Plex Web 4.62.1

_(A previous topic “[Smart collections no where to be found](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-no-where-to-be-found/711206)” was closed, so I am opening a new one)_

I do not see “Smart Collection” (nor “Smart Playlist”) from **[https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/](https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/) \> Movies \> A Movie \> … (More) \> Add to**. I do see “Add to Collection…” and “Add to Playlist…”.

I am NOT using an IP address in the URL. I HAVE updated to the latest version. I HAVE logged-off, cleared cache, cookies, history, logged-on.

Besides the missing options, what have I missed?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 12:37am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/2 "2021-07-30T00:37:19Z")

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You can create smart playlists and collections from the advanced filter in the library view

# 

**Edit:** See „Creating Smart Collections“ in the related support article  
[https://support.plex.tv/articles/201273953-collections/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201273953-collections/)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/3 "2021-07-30T00:46:36Z")

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I did read that support article, but obviously I did not grasp what I needed to do!

Thanks very much - problem solved. The nice orange arrows in the screenshots helped.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 12:49am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/4 "2021-07-30T00:49:59Z")

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At the moment, when selecting Create Smart Playlist, when saving, it becomes a Smart Collection.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/5 "2021-07-30T00:58:44Z")

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Are you sure you used the „Save as Smart Playlist“ option? I’ve just tried to reproduce this but it’s been working fine for me

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/6 "2021-07-30T01:06:27Z")

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OK. Thanks, but…

1. Select Create Smart Playlist
2. Add filters
3. Click on “Save As…”
4. Create Collection box opens

I had to click on the disclosure arrow 🔽 instead of “Save As…”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 7:32am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/7 "2021-07-30T07:32:42Z")

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Would you mind sharing some screenshots of those steps? I’m not sure I fully understand.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ParadiseLost13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@ParadiseLost13](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ParadiseLost13)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/8 "2021-07-30T13:35:00Z")

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Sounds like you’re doing it correctly. You just need to name the collection. Then press create to finish. The tags section of the edit metadata will not display a tag under collection for that item as it is a “smart collection.” That being said make sure you’re using “create smart collection” and not “create smart playlist.” While similar function they are a bit different in usage.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/9 "2021-08-02T19:18:22Z")

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Screenshot 1 - Result of clicking on **Add to…** icon  
Screenshot 2 - Result of clicking on **Create Smart Playlist** option  
Screenshot 3 - Result of clicking on **SAVE AS** button. Results in **Create Collection** dialog window  
Screenshot 4 - Result of clicking on **SAVE AS disclosure arrow** instead of SAVE AS button. Results in multiple options window

 ![fm1](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/a/6/a695569d986c94235299a30c44204be723e59429.jpeg)  
 ![fm2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/e/c/ec6e461264fd4e1249d0ca7b998270103b2891a6.png)  
 ![fm3](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/8/3/830344d7a3582e606c05ad596469236ebb17a63d.jpeg)  
 ![fm4](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/7/9/79687d5b9e1cfe6cbfe5d9543f6f3633e784d810.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/10 "2021-08-02T20:20:53Z")

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Not necessarily a pretty way… I suppose the more obvious approach would be to trigger this from the advanced filter. However… given `Create Smart Collection` (and `Create Smart Playlist`) open exactly that, it appears that base is covered.

As for the sequence… that’s still working fine for me and after saving the new smart collection (as per your screenshot #3 + clicking `Create`), I’m getting my new collection stored as a smart collection.  
Not sure about your screenshot #4 and what you mean with “clicking on SAVE AS disclosure arrow instead of SAVE AS button”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 8:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/11 "2021-08-02T20:22:48Z")

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The disclosure arrow is the arrow to the right of the Save As… button text. When you click on that it gives you a list of options.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/12 "2021-08-02T20:24:24Z")

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ok… but what are you trying to do in that step? Didn’t you just successfully create a smart collection by clicking on `Create` in your 3rd screenshot?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/13 "2021-08-02T20:26:49Z")

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I wanted to create a Smart Playlist. I thought my screenshots clearly show what I originally posted about. One wants to create a Smart Playlist, but when clicking on Save As you don’t get to save the Smart Playlist - you get to save a Smart Collection. You can only save the Smart Playlist if you DON’T click on Save As… but DO click on the arrow - NOT INTUITIVE.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Insomnic\_1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/insomnic_1/32/215416_2.png) [@Insomnic\_1](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Insomnic_1)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 8:30pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/14 "2021-08-02T20:30:06Z")

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Ah.

When you click Save As… it’s not giving you an option between Collection or Playlist, it’s defaulting to a Smart Collection. You are suggesting that by defaulting to Smart Collection rather than offering an option of Smart Collection vs Smart Playlist it’s not intuitive. Do I have that right?

I think you have a fair point… “save as” as a button typically provides options vs defaulting to a specific option. I think it might be useful if that entire button acted like clicking the down arrow perhaps?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/15 "2021-08-02T20:31:10Z")

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Yes, I agree that the entire button should behave like the down arrow.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/16 "2021-08-02T20:44:07Z")

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Ok… finally got your point. This seems to be a super specific use case where you initiate the advanced filter through the `Add to` button on the library itself.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Insomnic\_1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/insomnic_1/32/215416_2.png) [@Insomnic\_1](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Insomnic_1)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/17 "2021-08-02T21:18:05Z")

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I typically build my Smart Collections using the filter at the library and then use the yellow `Save As` button shown here but I’ve always clicked the arrow on the button myself. I’ve never used the `Add to` button but I also never make playlists and I always equated that button to playlists.

It looks like if you use the `Add to` button it will prompt for what to use but if you just click `Save as` it defaults to a Smart Collection unless you click the little down arrow.

The `Save As` button doesn’t seem to show unless you use advanced filters.

The screenshot in the Smart Collections section of the [Collections documentation](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201273953-collections/) kinda highlights the two different buttons but says hitting `Save as` and `Add to` should function the same.

Might be a small thing but it might be useful to have someone take a look at those kinda duplicated but not equitable UI\UX functions maybe? Or clean up the documentation to say that button defaults to Smart Collection?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Designwallah](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/designwallah/32/2051_2.png) [@Designwallah](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Designwallah)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 11:52am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/18 "2021-08-03T11:52:55Z")

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I haven’t yet found a different method of creating a Smart Collection or Smart Playlist.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2021, 2:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/19 "2021-08-03T14:35:48Z")

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`Filter` \> `Advanced Filter`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/smart-collections-nowhere-to-be-found/732697/20 "2021-11-01T14:36:01Z")

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