Accumuilating attached files - Why and How to Stop?

[Acorn]

BTW: I can replicate the issue you describe, that is for example take a couple of images, link them to PDFs save and export. Delete the images (and links), export again and you will still see the PDFs in index_htm-files. I think I understand the logic, but it would be better explained by @Acorn.

I doubt it. Each Xara design file get an associated signature folder when external assets are added in. Xara's logic is probably if the linking object (Placeholder for PDF icon) is removed from the page, the designer may not intend the linked object to be removed also so it is kept forever.

Here is my noddy guide to adding external assets:

Xara - External Assets.xar

You have two main approaches:

1. External Storage and Linking.
2. Embedding.

Method 1. Xara used Approach 1 when you drop a PDF onto your page and pick Link. Xara does not tell you where the external storage is (%localappdata%\temp\XaraTempSupportFolders\).
Method 2. I hide the PDF icon and used the destination address (index_htm_files/<filename>.pdf).
Method 2a. FTP the external assets to your own sub-folder and link that instead - total control.
Method 3. Use the little described Shift+Ctrl+Alt+A approach to embed the PDF file onto a Shape. Deleting the Shape loses the link to the asset. The asset remaining in its storage location. If you need the Shape, use Shift+Ctrl+alt+D.
Method 4. Just use Link > Link to file. Deleting the Link, removes the link to the asset. The asset remaining in its storage location.

It becomes a matter of taste but I would probably use Method 4 for small-sized external assets & Method 2a for client work.
I avoid Method 1 as a lot of the time I can be mobile or using different devices: try and remember to load up XaraTempSupportFolders. Not in the least also because Xara has been sloppy in providing a link to a "cloud" resource, all for a piddling little icon that will not scale and is very low resolution.
If I am in a hurry and use Method 1 and improve with Method 2.
Don't even try Method 3 with Xara Web Designer (Premium) as you do not have access to a Names Gallery and will be hard pressed to identify the Used files and when you linked them to.

Acorn

[Initiostar]

Each Xara design file get an associated signature folder when external assets are added in. Xara's logic is probably if the linking object (Placeholder for PDF icon) is removed from the page, the designer may not intend the linked object to be removed also so it is kept forever.

Many thanks Acorn, that's what I guessed would be the case. The implication is when you delete any links (in this case to PDFs) the PDFs are retained in 'index_htm-files' and published.

Your Method 2a resolves this issue and would I think be preferable where you have lots of PDFs in different sub-folders; Method 4 as you say, OK, if there are not too many.

Gary