Customize Finder view modes in OS X
Posted by Matt Thommes on 07/1/06 in Apple, OS X, Software, Tips
Here’s a quick tip on how to customize the view options for Finder windows in Mac OS X.
Most Mac users already know that every Finder window (in the current version of OS X) can be viewed in three different ways: Icons, List, or Columns.
But did you know you can fully customize each view for specific folders?
While in the Finder, go to View > Show View Options.
Here you’ll see a lot of different options, each pertain to the current view that you’re using. Each view has it’s own set of options to choose from:
The three different Finder View Options: Icon, List, and Column
In my opinion, certain folders should be viewed differently. For example, my Documents folder is best viewed in List mode, and sorted by Date Modified, so the most recently modified documents are at the very top:
My Documents folder is viewed in List mode
However, I like my Applications folder to be in Icon mode, with some added color enhancements, and larger icons:
My Applications folder in Icon mode
Those gorgeous-looking icons really stand out here, and I can quickly locate the program I need, by it’s icon.
Also, whenever you click on that folder location, in the Finder, your “custom view settings” should be saved.
Be careful, though. The Finder pretends to be “smart,” by choosing the View Mode of your last opened folder. This may seem like “erratic behavior,” but never fear - your custom settings are still there.
For example, my Applications folder I like in Icon mode, with some custom color settings, for the background. However, if the folder I view prior to my Applications folder is in Column mode, my Applications folder will be as well. To fix this I just switch to Icon mode, and my custom color settings are still there.
It seems tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it - you’ll be customizing each view, for all of your folders in the Finder.
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Snoopy Westmoreland | Dec 24, 2006 | Reply
Good article. I just had a comment about customizing the views and some troubles I’ve had doing so. It seems that no matter what color I set as the background color in the window, when I close and open it again the color is different. It seems to go back and forth between two different colors each time I open the window.
Also, a minor issue I have is the color of the text in the window is fixed at black. So if you make the background color dark, the text is unreadable. Why doesn’t the text automatically adjust it’s color to always be readable?
Thanks.
Matt Thommes | Dec 24, 2006 | Reply
Snoopy, thanks for your thoughts… The first issue seems to be involving the Finder automatically opening new windows in a preset “view mode,” such as Column-view. If you customize the Icon-view for a certain folder, when you alternatively view that folder in Column or List view, the background settings won’t carry over. You have to customize each “view mode,” if that makes sense. But, once you customize one view mode, that setting should stick - whenever you view that folder in that specific view-mode, the customizations will be there.
Regarding the text being invisible if the background color is black, this is true. The only work-around I’ve discovered is using a Color Label for each item within the folder. The color label will “highlight” the previously black text, and make it stand out, even on a black background.
The screenshot below is using orange labels for certain items. Hope this information helps.
jordan hillier | Jan 16, 2007 | Reply
hey great article,, something that has always annoyed me about finder is that (apparently) folders cannot be set to sit at the top of a window (like windows explorer) in any view,, even when arranged by “kind”, folders are still mixed in with files and docs etc in just alphabetical order…
anyone have a similar complaint or even better a solution..
Quadmax | Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
Snoopy sez:
It seems that no matter what color I set as the background color in the window, when I close and open it again the color is different.
I have the same problem, but only on my new MacBook Pro–my Titanium PowerBook never does this. It also seems to have to do with using view settings for “This window only”. Mine don’t toggle between two colors, they just keep reverting to a very dark gray rather than the very light gray I keep choosing. Clicking the “All windows” radio button in the view options then “This window only” again fixes it until the window is opened again. What a pain!
RadHard | Mar 25, 2007 | Reply
I’ve noticed the problem with toggling finder window background colors as well. It seems to occur on Intel Macs, which leads me to believe it’s a byte-reversal problem. To work around it the problem, do the following:
1) Choose the color you want from the color chooser, using any color chooser mode you want.
2) Switch to the sliders mode, then bring up RGB sliders from the menu.
3) Swap the values for the Red and Green sliders.
4) Click OK.
5) Close and reopen the window. The background should be the color you chose originally.
Anonymous | Mar 26, 2007 | Reply
Another triumph of syle over susbstance from the boys at Apple. The ‘column view’ could be good, as might indvidual folder views, as would having up-to-date file info, if any of this stuff worked! Finder is full of bugs. Most work time is spent ‘fixing’ things with Terminal. It’s like using a twenty year old PC. Oh, and why does any OS need a dedicated ‘fix permissions’ utility!? Because its so flakey.
David | Mar 28, 2007 | Reply
Does anyone know how to set view options to apply to all folders (like windows does with folder options)?
I want list view, sorted by kind, with the name column narrower than the default, the kind column wider, and never to use relative date.
Anonymous | Apr 24, 2007 | Reply
does anyone know how to customize the finder color labels for folders?
jarome | May 27, 2007 | Reply
How do I set finder so that it puts the folders first (in any view). Sort by Type is bad because I then can’t find the other items because they are not alphabetical (in each type).
As an ex windows person, I have to say that finder sucks compared to Windows Explorer. There isn’t even a button to go up one level.
Matt Thommes | May 30, 2007 | Reply
I don’t think you’re alone in that thinking.
Regarding the sort options to show the folders on top - I don’t think it’s possible without some third-party tool. There is an earlier comment in this thread that asks the same thing.
However, the button to go one level up can be achieved using the Path button in the toolbar. In the Finder, go to View > Customize Toolbar, and you’ll see a button for Path. Add that to your Finder toolbar, and you can jump up however many levels you’d like.
Anonymous | Jun 1, 2007 | Reply
you can also hold apple and press up to move to the folder containing which ever folder you’re in.. this should serve the purpose you desire..
norvasc | Jun 15, 2007 | Reply
everyone should hack around with their finder view settings, especially on your desktop!
Andy | Aug 26, 2007 | Reply
is it possible to have an address bar in the finder, like in windows? because its a pain to have to navigate to deep paths by hand.
cheers, Andy
Mark | Sep 2, 2007 | Reply
Good article, but… I have the same problem that some people noticed, I can’t change the background color to the color of my choice. I tried many work-arounds but none is helpful. I tried some suggestions that were written here and none works for me. Each time after I change the color, no matter how I do it, when I close the folder and re-open it I get a different color. Please, help!!!
regarding Andy`s question, this is really easy. just right click on the toolbar and choose from the drop down menu “customize toolbar…” Then, drag the the button “path” to the toolbar, and there you have it!
Mike | Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
Useful article. I would like to be able to sort columns (by name or size or my favorite, date) when it is in column view. Obviously it’s easy enough in list view but it’d be nice in column mode as well. Any ideas?
Jason | Oct 10, 2007 | Reply
Mark,
What RadHard said March 25, 2007 works…
pick your color click the “sliders button” at the top select the RGB sliders trade out the red and green numbers
Jesse | Oct 24, 2007 | Reply
This is regarding Mark’s response to Andy’s question which was…
“is it possible to have an address bar in the finder, like in windows? because its a pain to have to navigate to deep paths by hand”
Adding the “Path” option to the toolbar is still such a weak option. Being primarily a Windows user, I find it extremely frustrating to have to click on the path button to see my entire path. Isn’t there a way to view the entire path at once, and be able to just type the path of where you want to go?
InTheShell | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
Snoopy’s problem:
“It seems that no matter what color I set as the background color in the window, when I close and open it again the color is different.”
Same happen to all my PPC-G5, Intel-Mac but all G4 are OK. Strange… Tiger suppose to be design for newer Mac… Anyone have a solution?
Shockwave | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
To all who complain about not having a address bar in the Finder, there is something I think you’ll like. While the Finder won’t display a address bar ala explorer, it will allow you to type a path to drill down deep in your folder structure. Choose ‘Go to Folder…’ from teh Go menu. An address bar will slide out, allow you to enter a path and press return. The current Finder window will nagivate to the path written. Before anyone complains about making a menu selection, use the keyboard shortcut of Command(Apple)-Shift-G.