Default Folder X adds a bunch of very cool features to all Open/Save dialogs here are some of my favorites: If you spend a lot of time opening or saving files, take a look at Default Folder X ( ). (I personally prefer three wide columns, so I resize the dialog until it has three columns, then I option-resize to make those columns as wide as possible.)Īlthough the previous tips make browsing Open/Save dialogs much more pleasant, these dialogs still have a long way to go before they work the way they should, in my opinion. However, if you would just like to make the existing column wider instead of adding more columns, hold the option key down as you resize the dialog box the number of columns will remain the same, but they will change in size. As you make the dialog box wider, more columns will be added. Simply grab the lower-right corner of the dialog and stretch it as wide and long as you want your preferred size will be set as the default for that application. But if, like me, you have a lot more than ten items in your Documents folder, or you tend to open or save files from and to directories that are several levels down, you find yourself scrolling up/down/left/right in the dialog. The default Open/Save dialog shows two columns of files, each with eight to ten files listed. This is another basic one, but one that users seem to be shocked by when I point it out (plus, it has a neat hidden option). (If you've created additional folders in your home directory that fall between Desktop and Documents, you may need to press the down arrow more than once.) This procedure isn't perfect, but until Apple provides a keyboard shortcut for Documents, it's a decent workaround. Then just press the down arrow (assuming the file browser is active if not, press the tab key to activate it first) this will quickly change the focus of the dialog from Desktop to Documents.
However, if not, and if you want to get there quickly, press command+D in any Open/Save dialog to go to your Desktop folder. If you frequently open files from, and save files to, your Documents folder, you'll find that in most applications, the From and Where pop-up menus in Open and Save dialogs (respectively) include your Documents folder, and it may in fact be selected by default. Likewise, pressing shift+command+H in Open/Save dialogs will switch the browser to your home directory.
If you want to open a file that's on the Desktop, or save something to the Desktop, pressing command+D in any Open/Save dialog will immediately switch the browser to your Desktop folder. Quickly Access the Desktop, Home, and Documents Folders