Master the Art of Creating Folders on a Mac
Learn how to effortlessly create folders on your Mac using Finder and Apple's file manager Discover shortcuts, smart folders, and other valuable tricks for organizing your files Master the art of creating both simple and smart folders with these essential Mac beginner tips
Use Finder's File > New Folder option to create a new folder. After creating the folder, give it a suitable name. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+N to quickly create a new folder. Mac users can leverage Finder, Apple's native file manager, to conveniently create folders. Apart from regular folders, there are also smart folders, useful shortcuts, and nifty tricks to explore. Below, find a comprehensive guide on creating various types of folders.
Use Finder to Create Folders
To create a regular folder, open Finder (the icon with a blue-and-white smiley face) and go to the desired location.
Next, go to File > New Folder. Give the folder a name and press Enter to confirm. Now, you can easily organize your files and folders by dragging them into the newly created folder.
To achieve this, utilize the Command+Shift+N keyboard shortcut. Additionally, a useful technique is to generate a folder from a chosen selection of items. This can be done by either clicking and dragging icons or by utilizing Command+Click to select multiple items that you wish to include in your newly created folder.
To organize the folders, go to File > New Folder with Selection (or use Command+Control+N). This will create a new folder where you can move these folders into. Alternatively, you can also right-click (Command+Click) on the highlighted items and select the option to move them into the new folder.
Create Folders from the Command Line
To create folders on a Mac, utilize the command line, specifically through Terminal. Begin by launching Terminal and navigating to the desired directory where the new folder should be created. For instance, entering the command cd ~/Documents/ will direct you to the Documents folder located within your user folder.
Following this, employ the command mkdir foldername (replacing foldername with the desired name for the folder) to generate a fresh folder. In case you are unfamiliar with Terminal operations on a Mac, refer to our compilation of essential Terminal commands for all Mac users, providing a speedy crash course.
Turn Searches into Smart Folders
Smart Folders are a convenient way to organize items on your Mac. You can access them by going to File > New Smart Folder in Finder. Smart Folders function by converting search queries into folders that automatically update based on specific criteria. For instance, if you want a folder that only contains PDF documents you've opened in the past month, you can create a search query and save it as a folder. This allows for quick and easy access to the desired files using Finder.
The process of creating Smart Folders on a Mac is simple and can also be found in several other Apple applications. For instance, you can establish Smart Folders within Apple Notes, generate Smart Playlists in iTunes (Apple Music), or create Smart Albums in Apple Photos – all of which function in a similar manner.
More Essential Mac Beginner Tips
New to using a Mac and want to get started? Or perhaps you're looking for a refresher on the basics? Discover how to ensure your Mac is always up to date, efficiently uninstall software from your Mac, and understand why having an antivirus is most likely unnecessary.
It’s also worth exploring the importance of a Time Machine backup, and why you might want to wait before you install major operating system upgrades.
