Using PDF and Image Files in Set Lists

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Using PDF and Image Files in Set Lists

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You can add not only songs from the Songbook to a Set List, but also any songs in the form of PDF and image files.

In the Set List, only a reference to the file is stored. The file itself remains in its original location.
When you add files from your smartphone, Android asks for permission to allow smartChord to read each file.

Adding Files from the Cloud

When adding a file from the cloud, the process is different:

  • The file is downloaded from the cloud and stored on your smartphone.
  • The storage location is the app-specific directory provided by Android.
    For smartChord, this is for example:
    /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/de.smartchord.droid/files/
  • smartChord has full access only to this directory.
  • Files downloaded from the cloud are stored in the subdirectory “setlist” so they are logically grouped and easier to find.

Even in this case, only the reference to the file is added to the Set List – not the file itself.

What Happens If Files Are Moved?

If you move files on your smartphone, smartChord can no longer access them.
This happens because:

  • smartChord does not know the new file location, and
  • smartChord does not have permission to access the file at the new location.

In this case, the file must be reassigned manually.

What Happens When You Synchronize Devices?

During synchronization, none of your PDF or image files are transferred to another device.

On the second device, the Set List still references the directories and files from the original device.
Even if the files were located in the same directories on the second device, smartChord could not access them because the required permissions were not granted there.

What Is the Solution?

  1. You must ensure that the files exist on all devices yourself.
  2. The files must be stored in a dedicated folder.

By default, this folder is:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/de.smartchord.droid/files/setlist

However, this folder can only be accessed with a file explorer app that has full access permissions.

Recommended Solution

We recommend selecting an easily accessible folder in the settings under “Local Folder”.

When you choose a folder, you confirm to Android that smartChord is allowed to access it.
smartChord will also ask whether it should copy files from the old folder to the new one.

What Happens If smartChord Cannot Find a File?

If a file referenced in a Set List cannot be found at the stored location, smartChord automatically searches for a file with the exact same name when opening the Set List:

  1. First, Android’s media database is searched.
  2. Then, the Local Folder from the settings (including its subdirectories) is searched.
  3. Finally, the app-specific folder (including its subdirectories) is searched.

If the file is found:

  • The reference in the Set List is updated.
  • The Set List is modified.
  • When you save the Set List, the updated reference is synchronized to other devices, where the file must be searched again.

If the file is not found:

  • The entry is marked with an error icon.
  • By clicking it, you can replace the missing file.

Our Recommendation

  • Define a Local Folder in the settings.
  • Store all your PDF and image files in this folder.
  • If you use subfolders, make sure the folder structure and files are identical on all devices.

Syncing Files via Cloud (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive)

While cloud apps like Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive offer an “Offline available” mode, Android stores these files in a restricted “App Container” (Android/data/...). Other apps, including smartChord, cannot access these hidden folders due to Android’s security restrictions (Scoped Storage).

To keep your PDFs and images synchronized between your PC and smartChord automatically, the use of a Folder Mirror is recommended:

Recommended Workflow: Automatic Synchronization

  1. Install a Sync App: Use a dedicated sync tool like OneSync (for OneDrive), Autosync, or FolderSync.
  2. Create a Mirror Folder: Set up a “Pair” in the sync app.
    • Cloud side: Select your folder containing the lead sheets/PDFs.
    • Local side: Select a visible folder on your Android device (e.g., /Documents/smartChord).
  3. Automatic Sync: These apps will now monitor your cloud. As soon as you add a PDF on your PC, it will be downloaded into the local folder on your smartphone automatically.
  4. Link to smartChord:
    • Open the smartChord Songbook or Set List.
    • Go to Settings -> Folders.
    • Add the local folder you created in step 2 (e.g., /Documents/smartChord) as a source.
    • Your files are now permanently available, offline-ready, and stay updated without manual importing.

Tip: This method also ensures that your files are visible when you connect your phone to a PC via USB, as they are stored in the public internal memory rather than the hidden cloud app cache.