Pop-Up Windows
Mac Tip #02/09-May-2001

If you’re using a more recent Mac (from the last couple of years) you can probably use pop-up windows. These are a really handy feature as they give you quick access to the documents and applications you want to use.

Go to the Finder and open a window. If you’re not sure where the Finder is go to the application menu – that’s the icon or words in the extreme top right hand corner – point to the icon or words and hold the mouse button down. Choose Finder from the list of choices.

With a Finder window open go to the View menu and choose As Pop-up Window. Your window will now move to the bottom of the screen and the top will change shape from flat to having a “tab”.

If you click on the tab the window will hide itself away below the bottom of the screen, with just the tab showing. If you click on the tab now the window will pop-up so you can scroll around and choose the document or folder or application you want to work with.

Let’s say you double click a document to open it. The document will open and the pop-up window will tuck itself away below the bottom of the screen again.

You can use pop-up windows for documents, folders and applications you regularly use. I have about seven of these at the bottom of my screen, and more when I’m working on a particular project. So handy!