Creating folders is a great way to organize all the files on your Mac and keep things tidy, especially if you justupdated your Mac. But after a while, a stockpile of folders is no better than a stockpile of standalone media, software, and docs. If you’re up to your neck in traditional Mac folders, you should try making a Smart Folder instead!
Difficulty
What You Need
Mac computer
Smart Folders aren’t difficult to create, and they make finding similar files a breeze. In this article, we’ll teach you how to build your very own Smart Folders, and how to customize them to your liking.
What is a Smart Folder on a Mac?
A Smart Folder is an automatically updating folder. Once you set up the criteria, anytime a new or edited file meets the conditions, it’s automatically placed into the folder.
This lets you set up Smart Folders for things like files you created yesterday, those that contain a specific word, or files of a certain type, such as PDFs or images.
Additionally, the files are not moved to the Smart Folder they match. They are simply accessible from the Smart Folder while they technically remain in their location. This allows you to quickly view related files without searching through dozens of other folders.
Let’s look at how to create a Smart Folder on Mac as well as edit one if your criteria change.
Create a Smart Folder
To set up a Smart Folder on your Mac, open Finder to get started. It doesn’t matter what folder displays when you open Finder, unless you want to search a particular one (but don’t get distracted byFinder’s hidden settings).
Step 1:Go toFilein the menu bar and selectNew Smart Folder.
Step 2:You’ll see a blank folder display in Finder. ChooseThis Macon the top left, next toSearch, to find files on your entire computer if you don’t want to only search the current folder.
Step 3:Use theSearchbox on the top right to enter a word, category, file type, or date that you want to use as the first rule for the Smart Folder.
Select a suggestion that appears in the drop-down list that matches what you want.
Step 4:When you see the search results, you have the option to select thePlus signon the right, next to theSavebutton, to add a rule that narrows the results.
Step 5:Use the first drop-down box on the left to pick what you want to find. This can be the name, contents, created date, kind, or another option.
Step 6:Use the next drop-down box and subsequent field to add the corresponding attribute. These options change depending on what you pick in the first drop-down box.
Here’s an example. We want to find all items that have “Project ABC” in the name using our search term. But we want to limit it to documents so we don’t see images, folders, or other items. So, for the rule, we selectKindin the first drop-down box andDocumentin the second one.
you’re able to add as many rules as you like. Just keep in mind that items must match all conditions to display in the Smart Folder.
Step 7:You’ll see your results as you add criteria. This lets you confirm that you are receiving the expected results.
When you finish, selectSaveon the top right.
Step 8:Give your Smart Folder a name in the pop-up window.
By default, Smart Folders reside in Saved Searches on your Mac. However, you can select a different location if you like.
Finally, you can add the folder tothe Finder sidebarfor easy access if you like. Check the box forAdd to sidebarto do so.
Step 9:When you finish, selectSaveto save your Smart Folder.
You can then head to the location for your Smart Folder to open it.
Optional: Locate saved searches on Mac
If you leave the location for your Smart Folder as the default Saved Searches on Mac, you can head here bycopying the file path from Finder.
Step 1:Open Finder and selectGo>Go to folderfrom the menu bar.
Step 2:Enter the following into the Search box at the top of the pop-up window: ~/Library/Saved Searches.
Step 3:PressReturn.
You’ll then see the Smart Searches folder open with your Smart Folder inside.
Edit a Smart Folder
Maybe you want to make changes to a Smart Folder you’ve created. You might want to add more rules or remove one.
Step 1:Open your Smart Folder.
Step 2:Select theActiondrop-down menu in the Finder toolbar at the top of the window and pickShow search criteria.
Step 3:You’ll then see your rules just like when you created the Smart Folder initially. Make your changes and selectSave.
The updated rules automatically replace the original ones.
Smart Folders on Mac are convenient for quickly finding the files and other items you need. Now that you know how to create a Smart Folder on a Mac, check out how tochange the folder icon on macOStoo!
