# How to filter and remove entries with missing files?

**URL:** https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-filter-and-remove-entries-with-missing-files/2135
**Category:** Help
**Created:** [June 3, 2020, 6:53pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-filter-and-remove-entries-with-missing-files/2135 "2020-06-03T18:53:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![avm19](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@avm19](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/avm19)
#### Post date: [June 3, 2020, 6:53pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-filter-and-remove-entries-with-missing-files/2135/1 "2020-06-03T18:53:12Z")

</div>

My database was generated by importing a folder with (unlinked) PDF files. Later I deleted some of the files (outside JabRef). Now I want to remove the corresponding records from the database. I don’t know a way of doing, besides scrolling through each record and checking if the “File” field is highlighted yellow/orange.

**Is there a way of selecting and removing records with broken file links from the database?**

If this functionality is missing, I propose extending the search query language with flags or fictitious fields, e.g., “file=pdf file\_valid=false”.

Related discussion:

> [@JabRef does not recognize if linked files are deleted](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-does-not-recognize-if-linked-files-are-deleted/280):
>
> When I delete a file, that is linked to an entry, JabRef only recognizes it when I check for integrity. When I try to open the PDF, nothing happens. I should get informed that the files path might no longer be valid and maybe I should be given the opportunity to change/delete the linked path. Please vote if you support this proposal: [poll](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-does-not-recognize-if-linked-files-are-deleted/280/1)

> [@Delete linked files automatically when an entry is deleted](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/delete-linked-files-automatically-when-an-entry-is-deleted/1121/2):
>
> Currently, there is the option to remove the file or to only remove the file link in the General Tab. A move to trash option is currently technically not possible with Java.