iData Pro

Development is stopped! This software now is free!

This application will not be developed any further. There is no option to transfer data into other programs.

I've been using iData and its predecessors since forever and it is the one app I can't live without. It contains everything important I need to store and it's all instantly available. Love it!

I’ve been using a Mac since late 1984 and have therefore a thorough knowledge of many Mac applications both old and new. Once upon a time there was “QuickDEX" - a small database that was unbelievably fast and could bring you the result of a search in a wink. Back then, there was no need to make fields or stick to any specific criteria to search for your information. You could just save everything in a huge database without limitation because finding them later was a snap with its turbo speed. Then came “InfoGenie” that was as fast and intuitive as its predecessor but this time with more bells and whistles like separate fields, automatic insertion of date and some other new functions. Now we are finally at the third generation of these memorable databases. The new iData Pro is a venerable substitute of the above-mentioned programs that is second to none. Contrary to its previous generations it can also handle images and rich text. I use it on a regular basis in my daily life. Whatever I throw at it is quickly saved and stays within reach. Search functions have been greatly enhanced since its initial release and despite its potentiality it’s still a relatively small application and occupies very little memory or resources of your computer. If you need to consult hundreds bit and pieces of information saved in a casual or even disorderly manner and like to find them swiftly and with great ease then you owe it to yourself to give iData Pro a try. Fariborz AMIRSHAHI - Verona (Italy)

Version 4 is out now and has been greatly enhanced over its already venerable predecessor. I like especially its new “FIND” functions that has now turned it into a powerful yet simple all-purpose database. Can’t recommend it enough to all new and old users. Fariborz AMIRSHAHI - Verona (Italy)

Since updating to OS7 on my iphone, idata no longer seems to work. Is there an update? This DB has been my life line and no have come to a rude STOP.

I’ve been using iData3 for several years now as a very capable replacement for askSam under Windows. This is a superb program, with a good feature set, rapid searching, and the ability to combine both field- and freeform data in the same record. I use the software to manage research notes, and, as well, a large library of scientific manuscripts. One of the very best features of the program is the ability to easily link to external files (PDFs, Excel files, .txt files, sound files, etc.) This means that one can use the program as a very efficient front-end (e.g. for abstracts) and then use a link to point to the full version of a file or data. This allows one to keep the front-end program lean without the bloat involved in storing PDFs or Excel files, etc. inside the database. One can also do links from one record to another within a given database (but not across databases). Highly recommended. Support is quick and responsive. Disclaimer I have absolutely no personal involvement with either the developers or the software — I’m just a very happy user.

This antique software should be $10, not $70. It has barely been updated since it's heyday 15 years ago in the mid-90's. The mac is sorely in need of a mid-range database and this COULD be it but not at this rate of development. Sad.

iData 3 is my everyday, can't-do-without, instant database for my personal and business data. Finds any word or phrase in one second. Does more complex searches if needed. Stores text, graphics, etc. Although capable of creating multiple fields of data, I use it simply as one field per record and it works great for me. I use FileMaker Pro for heavy-duty database use. But iData 3 is my personal instant database, and it syncs with the iPhone version (get iData Mobile

This really is an application I keep finding new uses for, and it keeps getting better. It may not be the slick powerhouse you think you need, but if you try it you'll find it takes care of all kinds of jobs, from a simple bookmark list to maintaining complex, linked research databases. It's wonderfully flexible and very, very stable. I've been a user since I first got DataGenie, years ago. I confess I often try other things then realize "iData will do that... better". iData has built-in telephone and email utilities that I rarely use, and it takes a while to get used to the differences between "Preferences" and "Datafile Settings." Otherwise, there are numerous import options; and between "Export" and printing, you can almost always find a way to get you data out for further processing. DEVONthink Office Pro has the ability to import datafiles as sheets, so you're not locked out of any other format. Best of all, the developer, Robin Casady, is responsive and helpful. It is updated regularly with surprising new features and overall improvements.

StickyBrain, Yojimbo etc.. out the window... I have one think to say: DevonThink !!! These guys should pay me for all the publicity LoL But hey when a product is REALLY good... any other is just pale in comparison.

iData 3 is indispensable. I use it as a personal dictionary, to catalogue my books and keep track of all sorts of data. I'd be lost without it. I was the user who reported the slight matching errors with combined diacritics: the devs fixed it almost faster than I could keep up with my email! That's service. iData 3 is extremely stable, intuitive, easy to use and flexible. I recommend it highly. It's one of my Five Favourite Apps. my MacBook and I would like to be stuck on a desert island with. ;)

Using StickyBrain as noted by some must have a fast processor and lots of Ram. iData Pro i have been using for years and could not keep up with all the changes in StickyBrain (Bloat with its extended database). I finally dumped StickyBrain in favor of iData version 2 and use Growl for notification.

Sticky Brain beat you to Palm support, they have my money for now. Do what they did, just sync to Memo Pad and forget about the Palm client app for now. At $20 cheaper I'd still go with Sticky Brain for now, but I'll keep my eye on this old favorite.

PLEASE add back Palm support and I will upgrade ASAP. The Palm interface could use just a little bit of work to take it from just barely okay, to perfect.

Oops, the first sentence of my reply was supposed to read, "We have not received any reports on this particular problem.

I've been using iData 2 heavily for quite a few months now, so I thought I'd drop back in and do a brief review. I couldn't imagine being without it, now. I use it for what has now become quite a large personal dictionary, and have it open constantly. It's extremely easy to use, rock-stable (if anything ever does give me trouble, it's not iData 2), quick to respond and well-designed. I initially got it because I needed full Unicode support, and iData 2 is still one of the very few that provide that. I now also rely on its instant search (other dbs I tried slowed down markedly as my file became larger) and its comfortable interface. I'm looking forward to installing its Palm OS version, so I can take my info anywhere, and synchronize the two. (new T3 :D ) Beats me why the previous reviewer said he had stability problems with it. I tried very hard to break it at one stage, and didn't get anywhere. :) (I think it's forgiven me.) from Clytie

Tried demo but it didn't feel very stable. I imported Mail from Entourange which crashed the software twice and when I did manage to import it was messy and not very usable. First impressions were less than favourable and I don't think I could trust this software with database tasks. Sorry!

As a long-time user of the predecessors of iDate 2 (iData Pro, Info Genie and QuickDex), I think that the file size overhead is worth the added benefits of styled text, embedded graphics, customizable toolbar, and clickable links to files on disk. The new formatting of iData 2 adds bold, colorful, easy to apply touches. The always easy-to-use software adopted added features we're used to in other Panther-era software, such as Office 2004. But I can quickly bring up free-form notes much faster with a ___and____ and____ find operation in iData 2 than I can with Office 2004's Entourage. Not that Entourage isn't fast: it's that in iData 2 I don't have to go through a couple different stages to start my search. iData 2 does a superb job of handling phone dialing, including prefixes, area codes, and extensions. All it takes is a lightning-fast search, highlighting of the entire number sequence, and clicking on the phone icon. No wrong number dials, either. I suffered from tendonitis in both elbows that required splints for 6 months and several cortisone injections in the joints and from carpal tunnel damage in both wrists and punching in phone numbers was a source of pain and inflammation until iData 2's predecessors introduced automatic phone dialing. And iData 2 builds on its rich heritage in that and other features. It's quite handy to import my email contacts and browser bookmarks into iData 2 and while in a free-form note to simply click on one to address an email message or fly to a website. A click on the preference gives instant access to iData 2's own spellchecker component. I don't like to be distracted by spellcheckers at work so I really like the ability to turn it on only when I'm ready for it to proof what I write. One of the greatest qualities of iData in all its versions is its excellent technical support. The help program and users' guide have really improved. But I became so enamored with the personal, responsive support--including the willingness to listen to suggestions for product improvement, that I donated my services as a volunteer beta tester. I respect the thorough beta testing that the program went through and the quickness of its author to pick up on suggestions for new features and improvements that went far beyond eliminating bugs. I don't use palm devices, so I can't comment on how iData 2 works with them. I once wrote that iData 2's predecessor "operates like a first-class, computer-savvy secretary, only faster and with greater ease for any executive, professional or home user." It certainly did that for me in the course of writing two books, in processing my lecture notes and in helping me during my rise to head three national organizations in my field. The secretary of which I wrote then has now been promoted to executive secretary with iData 2.0.2! Respectfully, Norm Nager Emeritus Professor of Communications (Retired)

I was so impressed by the demos of iData 2 that I scrapped it and bought a license for iData 1. Why? Datafiles with simple plain text data, such as those generated by the late, great IngoGenie, balloon up to enormous size under iData 2. Look at an iData 2 file with BBEdit and you'll see why. Each record's metadata is up to 10 times the size of the actual data you're storing. YMMV of course, but iData 1 works for me while iData 2 is just plain overkill.