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Working with the Finder

In this topic, learn how to use your voice to:

  • Change the display of Finder windows
  • Manage files and folders
  • Create and delete folders, files, and aliases
  • Navigate the Finder
  • Eject drives

Use these commands to navigate and control the Finder. Use menu walking commands to access other Finder features. For example, say Click File menu, then Click Get Info.

Adjusting the window display

To show or hide bars in Finder windows

  • Say Show / Hide Path Bar.
  • Say Show / Hide Status Bar.
  • Say Show / Hide Toolbar.

To show or hide the Dock

  • Say Turn Dock Hiding on / off.

To toggle Zoom view

  • Say Zoom this window.

Adjusting the folder display

To change the way items are displayed

  • Say View as <style>. You can view items as:
    • Icons
    • Lists
    • Columns

To arrange items in your view

  • Say Arrange by <property> to sort items by the specified property. You can sort items by:
    • Name
    • Date modified
    • Date created
    • Size
    • Kind
    • Label

To create a Sidebar shortcut to the selected item

  • Say Add to Sidebar.

Managing files and folders

To open the selected file or folder

  • Say Open selection.

To rename the currently selected item

  1. Say Select name of selection.
  2. Dictate the new name of the item.

To rename another item in the current folder

  • Say Select next / previous name.
  • File or folder names are selected in alphabetical order.

To view a Quick Look heads up display of the selected item

  • Say Quick look selection.

To view the original file associated with a selected alias

  • Say Show original.

To deselect all items in the current folder

  • Say Deselect All.

Creating and deleting items

To create a new folder

  • Say Make new folder.
  • Or

  • Say Make new Smart folder.

To create a copy of the selected item(s)

  • Say Duplicate selection.

To create an alias of the selected item

  • Say Make alias.

To create a compressed Zip file of the selected folder

  • Say Compress selection.

To delete the selected item(s)

  • Say Move to Trash.

To permanently delete all files in the Trash folder

  • Say Empty Trash.

Navigating windows

To go to the next or previous view in the active window

  • Say Go back / forward.

To go to the enclosing folder for the selected item

  • Say Go to enclosing folder.

To go to a specific folder

  • Say Go to <folder>.
  • Available folders include:

    • Computer
    • Home
    • Desktop
    • Utilities
    • Network
    • Downloads
    • Music
    • Movies
    • Applications folder

To open the Go to Folder dialog in the Finder

  • Say Access Go to Folder window.

To search the Finder

  1. Say Access Find window.
  2. Dictate the text you want to search for.
  3. Say Press key Return.

Navigating folders

To open the Connect to Server window

  • Say Access Connect to Server window.

To cycle through the open Finder windows

  • Say Cycle through windows.

To bring all Finder windows to the front

  • Say Bring all to front.

To close all Finder windows

  • Say Close all windows.

Ejecting a drive or disc

  1. Select the drive or disc you want to eject.
  2. Say Eject selection.