How to Set Finder Labels and Sidebar Preferences

How to Set Finder Labels and Sidebar Preferences
Mac Tip #402, 16 September 2009

The Finder Preferences let you rename Labels from Red, Green and so on to names you choose. The Sidebar in a Finder window gives you quick access to folders and files. Choose which items are displayed.

The Snow Leopard Finder has several Tabs in the Preferences. Here’s a look at the How to Set Finder Labels and Sidebar settings.

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Apply Labels

To apply a label:

1. Select a file or folder in the Finder.
2. Click on the Gear menu in the window’s Toolbar and select a label color. The color will be applied as a background to the file in the Finder window.

Rename Labels

Rename the labels.

To rename Finder labels switch to the Finder on your Mac and then choose Preferences… from the Finder menu.

Once the Preferences window opens make sure you’re viewing the Labels tab.

Enter a new name for any of the labels. The new name will be displayed in the Labels column of the Finder window.

Other related Tips

You may like to read these other MacTips:

1. Show Information in Finder List View (May 2008)
2. Using Labels (July 2001)

Edit the standard Sidebar

Finder windows show a Sidebar, unless you hide it, see Show the Finder Toolbar, Sidebar and Status Bar (February 2009).

Choose Sidebar items.

Certain items are displayed by default in the Sidebar. You control which items are displayed in the Sidebar tab of the Finder Preferences.

To set which items are displayed by default:

1. Switch to the Finder on your Mac and then choose Preferences… from the Finder menu.
2. Once the Preferences window opens make sure you’re viewing the Sidebar tab.
3. Check the box beside any items that should be displayed in the Finder Sidebar. Uncheck the box beside items you don’t wish to see.

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