Navigating the Mac Finder With Keyboard Shortcuts

The Finder seems to be designed to require the use of your mouse or trackpad. But you can get around and do everything using only the keyboard. For some, this may be even more efficient than clicking and dragging. You can use arrow keys to select files, shortcuts to move into and out of folders, and even type the names of folders to jump to them.

Comments: 7 Responses to “Navigating the Mac Finder With Keyboard Shortcuts”

    Richard Fuhr
    7 years ago

    Do you know of any keyboard shortcuts that would enable the user to open a Terminal window at the folder currently being displayed? Sometimes it is convenient to be able to do that quickly. Currently, to implement this functionality, I have downloaded and installed ShellHere.app which isn't a keyboard shortcut, but does open a Terminal window from the Finder.

    7 years ago

    Richard: Yes, easily. Go to System Preferences, Keyboard, Shortcuts, Services, and enable New Terminal at Folder and add a keyboard shortcut for it. It only works if you have a folder selected, not a file.

    Devin
    7 years ago

    Hi Gary,

    Thanks for the great content. Is there a way you know of to jump over to, and navigate through, the sidebar in Finder, for example moving from Documents down to Recents, etc.?

    7 years ago

    Devin: No, sorry, I don't see a way to do that.

    Robert
    7 years ago

    Hi Gary!
    Thanks very much for all these navigating w/keyboard tricks!

    If you have the Finder up but the Desktop is selected, is there a way to re-select the Finder w/keyboard?
    Thanks in advance!
    Robert

    7 years ago

    Robert: Since the Finder is an "app" you can switch between apps with Command+Tab. But if you have the Desktop selected, then you ARE using the Finder, since the Desktop is part of the Finder. But you can switch between windows inside an app using Command+`. So you can use that to switch from the Desktop to a Finder window, or between several Finder windows.

    Robert
    7 years ago

    Thanks for deciphering my question and answering it spot on. I often don’t remember the proper terminology so I use the best I can think of.
    You’re terrific, Gary and all of us appreciate you!
    Have a great day!
    Robert

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