Open Column View to proper widths?

When I open Finder in Column View, I have to adjust the divider bars so that I can see the full names of the folders and files. Some need to get wider, some can get narrower.
Is there any way I can get Finder to remember the widths I set and open that way next time?

The Finder stores a single value for the default width of a column in column view, which all newly created windows will be set to.
You can quickly resize the width of a single column to be the optimal width to accommodate the widest item in the column by double-clicking on the column handle (looks like a || ) at the bottom of the column.
Option-double click resizes all of the columns in the window to accommodate the width of the widest item of all the columns.
This procedure also works in the Open and Save dialog windows of Cocoa-based applications (iChat, TextEdit, Mail, Safari) with one improvement: you can also Command-Option-double click to resize each column to its own optimal size. (You can also Control-click on the || handle and choose these options from the menu).
Unfortunately, the Navigation Services framework which Carbon-based applications (most Adobe applications, Quark, MS Office, etc.) doesn't yet offer any of these enhancements. Stay tuned for what Leopard will hopefully bring.
Hope this helps....
Dual 2.7GHz PowerPC G5 w/ 2.5 GB RAM; 17" MacBook Pro w/ 2 GB RAM - Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Similar Messages

Is there any way to set default column widths in the Finder's Column view

When my Finder windows open in column view, all the columns are always VERY wide. I have to then spend time resizing them to a managable width. Is there any way to set default column widths in the Finder's Column view?
<Re-Titled By Host>

No, because you can't set a columns view default.
27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Yo (10.10), Mavs, ML & SL, G4 450 MP w/10.5 & 9.2.2

Finder - column view width

Since Lion, whenever I open a new finder window - the width of all the columns in the column view is too wide
Due to this, it becomes very irritating to resize all columns every time I open finder window.
Cant I make it default option to always resize all columns individually "
I face this issue only on my Mac, other Mac's with Lion are fine.

Deleted the file "com.apple.finder.plist" from you ~/Library/Preferences & relaunched finder.
Its fine now

Possibility for automatic column width in column view

hi there,
i would like to ask if anybody has an idea to fulfil my desire.
i work in column view in the finder of os 10 and it is not handy that i can not read some of my file names due to the column view.
is there a possibility that the columns change their width automatically? or does anyone knows a shareware to solve this problem.
i want to open a new window and all columns change themselves.
thank you very much. kind regards,
michael

While this isn't a solution, if you double click on the column width adjustment button (under the arrows of the column you are looking at) the column will increase width to fully show the widest name in the column.
However, it would be nice to have a Preference available that would let you choose to always have columns displayed with columns at sufficient width to show full names.
I think this issue is a remnant of a small screen psychology. Large screens are now so prevalent that wide columns would not be a significant issue.
Message was edited by: RolandoS

10.8.6 Column view. Can we set the window width to resize to it's longest file?

I have a MacBook Pro, 10.8.6. I always have my windows open in Column view. Can we set the window width to resize to it's longest file? I'm always having to manually make the width wider and it's annoying.
Thanks

Hi, the latest OSX is 10.7, soon to be 10.8, there is a way in Leopard/10.5 & Snow Leopard/10.6 to make finder display that...
http://osxdaily.com/2007/12/02/show-full-directory-path-in-finder-window-title-b ars/
A possible workaround for Tiger/10.4 is both of these which show the full path & is Copyable...
Find Any File...
http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/
EasyFind...
EasyFindPath
Near the bottom of the page.

Sort-by-type for column view in open/save dialog boxes?

Hello all,
I've done a fairly good search both on Google and in these forums and can't seem to find this question addressed. When I go to open or save something (in Preview, for example) I prefer to use Column View in the dialog box, since it is easy to see and navigate the folder structure. However, Column View always shows up sorted by name, even if I specified in Finder that the folder be sorted by type. Because of this, I have to scroll down and hunt for subfolders rather than having them conveniently listed at the top.
My question is this: is there a way to get Column View to sort by type in the open/save dialog boxes? (The Command+J that works in regular Finder does nothing in these dialog boxes.)
Thanks!

No. Column view will only sort by name. If you wanted to put a space before each folder name, then they will sort to the top. Sorting by Kind will put folders above files, but it will also put anything else except files at the top. If there are only folders, however, that would put them first in the sort list.

FINDER NOT SHOWING DIMENSIONS WIDTH OR HEIGHT....IN COLUMN VIEW OR ICONVIEW

I have noticed for the last couple of weeks that my finder no longer shows the width and Height of images or anything. Dimensions has -- on all things. I have never encountered this issue before.
I hit "show item info" It looks like it moves when I check the box in thumbnail mode, but there is nothing there.
I have google'd around and have yet to find a solution.
Would be much appreciated if someone could point me in the right direction.

These files are EPS files not image files. They have a TIF or PICT preview inside the file, I believe in the resource or data fork of the file. The file extension is EPS, and I cannot change that, just type the letters. The actual extension, the 4 digit one, that is invisible is the one that is important. In the case of EPS the actual extension is EPSF or EPSI.
Just to try the fix I changed the name and it did try to make a preview, but it came up with nothing. It was blank in column view. The OS still reads it as an EPS regardless of the change in file extension.
Anyone have some answer that involves a command line, I think that is really going to be the only thing that solves this one.
Power Mac G5 1.6GHz Single Mac OS X (10.4.2)
Power Mac G5 1.6GHz Single Mac OS X (10.4.2)
Power Mac G5 1.6GHz Single Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Has anyone else been unable to click [open] a document folder while in the column view in finder?

Since I have downloaded Mavericks, I am unable to open any document folder in the column view in finder. When i go to any other view such as cover flow or list, they open. But when it is in the column view, I am unable to click any folder - or any document for that matter. Can anyone help or atleast tell me I'm not the only one?
Mike

okay i figured it out. for some reason i had to go to the settings menu and click arrange by name and it automaticaly fixed it. it was weird all of the names were gray, and the color tags were to the left of the folder titles. i hope this helps if any of you had that problem too.

View always opens in Icon view, not Column view

Hello,
I open Finder and it always opens in Icon view. I set it to open to Column and close Finder. When I reopen Finder, it opens in Icon again. I've tried trashing the Finder plist, repaired permissions, but nothing. Is there anything I can do to keep it opening the same way? It's pretty frustrating.
Thanks.

Hi Danielmak,
This Terminal command is not specifically related to Column View I'm afraid...
I don't fully understand what it does, but what I can tell you is that the script - for me & a few others - got rid of the common problem where the Finder-window only for the Macintosh HD (i.e. double-clicking on the Mac HD icon) always re-set back to Icon-View after a re-start, despite changing the window to List View and un-checking 'Always Open in Icon View' in View Options (Cmd+J).
I'm not sure I fully understand your problem, but..... You can have separate Finder-windows in different view-types (icon/list/column etc), BUT, the view-type does not automatically change between different types as you drill down into the folders in that particular window.
If you want a particular view-type & window-size to stick for each drive or folder on the desktop, you have to make your changes at the first level, then close the window... When you double-click again on that same drive, the view-type (don't forget to un-check the 'Always open in icon view' in View Options) & window position should be the same. If you drill down into the folders in that hard drive, & THEN make changes to view-type & window size, they will not stick (i.e. the next time you double-click on the HD icon, it will re-open in the originally-set position & view-type.)
Hope that helps. Apologies if I've misunderstood the question.
All the best,
Jason

In the finder window, column view, I double click on icon, eg. a spread sheet, and document will not open since I updated to OSXv10.8.2. Help anyone?

In the finder window, column view, I double click on icon, eg. a spread sheet, and document will not open since I updated to OSXv10.8.2. Help anyone?

Hi Ron,
Highlight one in the Finder & do as Get Info on it, what does open With say to use?
What did you update 10.8.2 from exactly? 10.6.8 maybe?

Opening windows in column view by default

Hello all,
I just got a new iMac 24” aluminum a few days ago and have set up all of my apps, defaults etc. I want my windows to always open in column view and have used View Options to set it that way. Each day when I start up though, the windows revert back to Icon View and I have to reset them again. On my old machine I had them opening in column view by default and they always did so. And I remember that there used to be a button at the bottom of the View Options window that, when clicked would keep whatever you set your options to as a default for all windows. That button no longer exists. Possibly somewhere in one of the updates along the way it’s been removed. Anyway, I want to set my windows to always open in column view by default and can find no way to do that anymore. Does anyone know how?
BTW, the new alu 24" is GREAT!!
Rick

Then there's something wrong with you OS installation. Not really sure if there's an easy fix other than an Archive and Install. But you can try a few things first.
1. Repair the hard drive and permissions:
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger and Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger, and 4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.6.1 for Leopard) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Delete the /Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist file.
3. Create a new user account and log into that account. Does the problem cease?
4. Boot into safe mode. Does the problem go away?
5. Use a utility such as TinkerTool System and clean system and user caches.
If none of these have any effect then an Archive and Install may be necessary:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Freeze during column view in finder and open file box?

Whenever I open a file and the open file dialog box is in column view it freezes when I click on the file and the view shifts to reveal the icon and info. It happens a lot in finder too, but not as often. It usually doesn't start happening for a few minutes after I reboot.
I'm pretty sure quicktime is associated with that icon/image preview. I just formatted my hard drive hoping that would help but it doesn't. I have to force quit applications alot if I forget to get out of column view...someone please help!
I don't remember this happening before I installed macromedia studio 8, but I'm not sure. I have to use those programs.

see thread http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3805971&#3805971
though no solution yet.

File Open dialogs in column view do not sort by name

Any app in OSX that has a Save dialog file browser, some (but not all) of my folders are not sorted alphabetically in column view.
Here's how it looks in Safari when I save:
Here are my sort options from within that save menu:
It's sorted perfectly in FInder when you open a Finder window. Here are the view options in Finder:
Any idea what's going on here?
Using OSX 10.9.2.

No solutions for this known bug?

Making finder open in column view?

I really like the OS X Finder's "Column View". Unfortunately, Finder windows always seem to open in icon view, even though I've checked the "Open New Windows in Column View" option in Finder preferences. Any idea why this option might not be working (on a brand-new installation with the latest software update installed)?

Hi, Mike, this below is from the Helpviewer: Click screen bring up finder go to Help on Menu Bar , Helpviewer> Click Index "Mac Help Index" click 'f" all about Finder.
"To always use column view when you open a Finder window, choose Finder > Preferences and click General. Select "Open new windows in column view."
If you choose icon or list view, the Finder saves your view settings. The next time you open the window you will see the same view settings you chose previously.
You can also customize the items that appear in the toolbar of Finder windows, or you can change the overall look of windows."
Hope this helps.
~Eme

Always open in "column view"

I would like the finder to always open in column view, but whenever I make a search using spotlight, it opens in icon view and column view is greyed out in the
finder>view menu

I believe column view is not an available feature in Search function; possibly because it already shows you the individual files (rather than folders with their contents opening in another column). I prefer column view myself, but have never been able to set it in the search function.

Open Column View to proper widths?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for