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Submission details

-9 +5/-14 votes

Moving files via Finder

Submitted by WaveAndersson on August 28, 2008 to Usability

Problems when you want to organize and preview files in finder. As you browse your way down several folders you loose the overview because folders dont use expand collapse as in windows. Then when you want to move a file you have to drag it to a certain folder - that might not be visible - then you have to open a new finder window...

An easy solution would be to ad some shortcuts.

shortcut 1: alt + m = dialog: move file(s) to - browse folders - ok
shortcut 2: alt + c = dialog: copy file(s) to - browse folders - ok
shortcut 3: alt + e = dialog: edit file(s) with - browse programs - remember

High

High

Not fixed

Discussion (6 comments)

Grey_Podder wrote on August 28, 2008, 11:03pm

I think Column View in addition to spring-loaded folders (see Finder>Preferences>General) would solve your problem. Besides, two shortcuts already exist for 1 and 2 without any dialog boxes. Cmd-drag will move files to other folders and Alt-drag will copy files to other folders. With Column View on you can see nested folders, and spring-loaded folders will also help. Just drag the contents over a folder, and, based on your settings in the Preferences above, the folder will open and you can place the contents there or continue to drag over even more nested folders.

Also, your solution to use dialog boxes doesn't really reduce the number of clicks or navigation time. There's little benefit over opening a dialog box and navigating through folders rather than creating a new Finder window (Cmd-N) and navigating through folders. Still, I think spring-loaded folders would be your best friend.

zog wrote on August 29, 2008, 12:23am

Grey's comments are spot on. You could also use List View, and navigate, expand, and collapse folders from the keyboard that way, if you prefer.

polycat33 wrote on August 29, 2008, 1:18am

I agree with both statements above, the view options in Finder are very useful for what you're talking about.

Also I grit my teeth everyone someones suggestion says, "like in windows." Ahh!

Watchful wrote on August 29, 2008, 3:55am

Finder's list view is far superior to the Windows Explorer behavior... this is a non-issue.

WaveAndersson wrote on August 29, 2008, 3:57pm

Allrighty then - kind of hit the wall there!
I guess i have to live with rheumatism i my arm

I dont no - i prefer shortcut i stead of draggin files around between windows trying to hit the right folder...

And grow up about mentioning windows - this is a matter of usability not brand religion

mojo2012 wrote on September 27, 2008, 10:48am

It would be greate to have a working command-x shortcut. If you are in folder /A/B and want to move file C to /A/, you can't use the mouse. You are forced to drag it somewhere else, got down to /A and drag it again. If the files are on different hdds then it becomes even more inconvenient, because you can't just move it to the desktop without copying the whole file, just to copy it again. That takes time and can't be the sense behind it all ...
Or you have to open /A in another finder window ... very uncomfortable too.

And please apple hardlines, don't use the one argument, that to cut files is not logical, because the file would have to be "deleted" in it's original place, just to paste it in its destination - like with text selection. That's not true. I can cut a peace of paper into two halfs and leave them in their original location - yes they're cut, but not that doesn't mean I've to take one piece and move it instantly after cutting it.

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