Comments on: View the Path of a File

By: Miraz

Miraz — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:58:24 +0000

Brian,

I’m running 10.6.4 and Show Path Bar is right under the View menu when I have a Finder window open.

I solve the problem you mention above with the most excellent Default Folder X

http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/

It allows me to click on any folder that’s already open to have the file saved there. It also gives easy access to recent folders, favourite folders, and preferences about where to save files in various circumstances.

I’ve been using it for years and hate to be without it.

By: Brian Forbes

Brian Forbes — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:43:28 +0000

I just bought a Mac and can tell you that the ridiculous amount of clicking just to locate and save files is a HUGE TIME WASTER. Under Windows, I had an explorer (finder) window open with a path to a folder that I needed to open from and save to while moving between programs. It was this simple, copy the path, save from the program, paste path into the name field, hit enter, guess what? I’m in the right folder and I just hit save. If I didn’t copy or paste anything in a program, then the path remained on my clipboard – too easy.

So this is totally cracked out and should be fixed. Btw 10.6.x there is no “show path” option.

By: Miraz

Miraz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:11:48 +0000

It’s good to know about that one Dave. Thanks.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:34:13 +0000

There’s also this, which I actually prefer even more:

http://www.mactricksandtips.com/2008/01/enabling-folder-path-in-finder.html

By: mike

mike — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:36:10 +0000

try using Bridge with the BrowseBar2.
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=productHome&exc=20&loc=en_us
I was a little buggy, but it works

By: sarah

sarah — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:13:59 +0000

thanks for the tips. i’m shocked that the only way you can copy and paste a file path is via the terminal. i need to do this a lot and it seems insane. also can’t handle spaces in file or folder names.
one other way i’ve found for those using office 2003 and excel is view/toolbars/web.
that gives a file path in the address field of the toolbar which can copy and paste. they got rid of this in later versions of office i believe which is a shame.
Sarah

By: Miraz Jordan

Miraz Jordan — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:45:18 +0000

Ryan, also remember that if you want full access to all the power features hidden under the hood, with no constraints, there’s nothing to stop you from using the Command Line via Terminal.

There’s plenty of flexibility in the Mac OS, for both users who want the minimum interface, fuss and bother, to those who want to control everything.

If I open a Terminal window and type “open ~/Documents/iChats” then press Return, a Finder window pops open, displaying the contents of that folder.

By: Miraz Jordan

Miraz Jordan — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:40:21 +0000

Ryan wrote: “Another thing. When the hell are they going to put a “show desktop” button to minimize all windows. Seems like a very simple thing that they forget in all new versions of macs.”

Why do you want to minimise all windows Ryan? If you want an ‘uncluttered’ view of the Desktop press F11 to move all windows out of the way. They all ‘minimise’ themselves to the sides of the screen. Press F11 again to bring them back.

Remember that if you’re using a laptop you may need to also press the fn key, depending on the settings you’ve chosen in System Prefs.

To go directly to a directory while an Open or Save dialog is open – eg to go directly to ~/Documents/iChats – press Command Shift G. A text area appears where you can type or paste an address, such as ~/Documents/iChats. Press the Go button and there you are.

I hope that helps.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:58:08 +0000

Oh, and yes that is great that you can copy a path the the clip board by using these ridiculous methods. However, it would be nice if you could paste it somewhere to go directly to the directory.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:56:27 +0000

This is why macs suck. Why don’t they just build that in. Removing functionality doesn’t always make things more usable. I understand the duality between usibility and flexibility, but this is ridiculous.

Another thing. When the hell are they going to put a “show desktop” button to minimize all windows. Seems like a very simple thing that they forget in all new versions of macs.