Use File Comments in Spotlight searches

Use File Comments in Spotlight searches
Mac Tip #394, 22 July 2009

Metadata you add to a file in its Comments area helps with Spotlight searches.

Once you’ve added metadata to the Spotlight Comments area of a file ¹, Spotlight searches can quickly zero in on what you’re looking for. Here’s how it works:

1. Add the metadata to a file, as explained in Add and Display File Comments
2. Allow time for Spotlight to index the file. Spotlight regularly updates its index — it may take between minutes and hours, depending on how your machine is set up.
3. Click on the Magnifying Glass icon at the extreme right end of the Menu Bar. The Spotlight Search Field appears.
4. Enter your search terms — for example, keywords that appear in the Spotlight Comments area of a file. Spotlight starts searching while you type, and displays the results in a list below the Search Field.
5. Once you see the result you’re looking for either:
   • Click on the file to open it in the default application. For example, a .jpg file may open in Preview; or
   • Command (⌘) click on the file to reveal it in the Finder.

¹ Add and Display File Comments.

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Tagged as: comments, Finder, metadata, spotlight

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