Filed under: Mac 101
Mac 101: Spring-loaded folders
Dragging a file from one folder to another is one of the Great Innovations of Modern Times. It's like the web, or sporks. But sometimes it's a hassle: what if you want to drag a file to a folder...inside another folder? Dum dum dummm...In comes another Great Innovation of Modern Times: the spring-loaded folder. This allows you to drag a file to another folder through a folder hierarchy. Makes no sense? Give it a try:
- Click and hold a file to drag it.
- Move the file over a folder and wait a few seconds. The folder opens.
- Still holding the file, drag it over another folder. That folder opens.
- Repeat as necessary.
Nifty, eh?
[Update:] Two more great tips from readers in the comments (they could do this job for me): From serenity: "Another simple one is that you can change the time it takes for the folder to "spring" in the Finder preferences." Hit Cmd+Comma to open Finder Preferences. And another from aptenergy: "Also, if you drag your item out of a folder that's been spring loaded, it will automatically close." Thanks guys!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
serenity said 4:59PM on 6-26-2007
Indeed a very useful tip. Another simple one is that you can change the time it takes for the folder to "spring" in the Finder preferences (Cmd+comma).
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aptenergy said 5:01PM on 6-26-2007
Additional tips: The delay time can be changed via Finder's preferences. Also, if you drag your item out of a folder that's been spring loaded, it will automatically close.
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dgtljunglist said 5:02PM on 6-26-2007
Better yet, hit spacebar while hovering a file over a folder for instant springing action.
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dacloo said 5:08PM on 6-26-2007
Well it can be a problem if you need to move it through a whole hierarchy...windows popping up and when you make a mistake it becomes confusing and holding the mouse button is annoying.
I'd rather see a better way of switching folders in the Finder (e.g an addressbar that can be edited, or horizontal breadcrumb navigation on top) and most of all: CUT / PASTE! (or better naming: grab file...release file...)
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Ryan Devine said 5:45PM on 6-26-2007
also you can hit "space bar" when moused over the folder with the icon you are dragging and it will cause it to instantly spring.
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Kalessin said 6:03PM on 6-26-2007
This also works nicely when you want to drag a file into a folder that's located in an open window, but whose icon is hidden by your current Finder window.
Drag the file into the open window, which brings it to the front. You can then drop it in the previously-hidden destination folder. Or wait for that one to open...
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Ahmad said 6:19PM on 6-26-2007
ALSO YOU CAN HIT SPACE BAR FOR INSTANT SPRING
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Dan Pourhadi said 7:05PM on 6-26-2007
For everyone who's saying you can hit spacebar for the instant-spring...it *is* in the post, if you read that last paragraph :)
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naugahyde said 8:03PM on 6-26-2007
I wish it would work with folders i put on the sidebar though.
Also, I want the window shade effect back!
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David said 8:58PM on 6-26-2007
Don't forget that if you're dragging a file from a window that has a bunch of other windows behind it obstructing it, you can drag it to a hot corner to activate expose', which will spring load the window you hover over and allow you to proceed, or hit a hot corner to go to the desktop and drop it in a folder there.
I LOVE drag and drop with hot corners.
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Allister said 10:11PM on 6-26-2007
Anybody got an easy way to drag a file UP one level in the directory hierarchy?
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