Is there an app (like Spotlight) that can index external drives and return search results when the drive is not connected? I have multiple external drives, some with photo, app and video resources, some with client files and some with backup data dating back to 1988. I also have a number of BluRay backup disks with raw video footage and stock footage. Is there an existing app that can index each drive/disk when I mount it, then store a searchable index on my Mac HD? What I want is to search for, say, 'John Smith logo' and have the app give results for 'Drive G' or 'DISK 21'. I can then mount the indicated drive and retrieve the file, and not have to spend half an hour searching every time.
Spotlight, I believe, only stores the index on the drive in question, so cannot search unconnected drives.
I haven't used it in quite some time, but the go-to app for me, way back from System 9 days was CDFinder, now called NeoFinder &amp; still maintained by its author, right up to Catalina.
I used to use it for cataloguing dozens of backup &amp; old project CDs &amp; DVDs. It would do exactly what you require - find a file, tell you what drive it is on, then once you insert that drive, pop open at that location.
Simple yet effective.