How to jump to a Mac folder when saving a file

We listed here at Macworld have been applying Macs because ahead of OS X was named just after cats, but from time to time we learn a new trick that we can’t feel we didn’t know. Like this just one that I observed on Twitter yesterday.

We’ve all skilled this: You’re preserving a file in Pages or Garageband or Microsoft Term and the dialog box starts in the completely incorrect area. Then you need to go to your mouse or trackpad, click the arrow to extend, and hope the place you want is there. If it’s not—and it nearly always isn’t—you need to simply click via folders and areas until finally you land on the one particular you are hunting for.

But here’s the trick iOS engineer Zach Waugh shared: Variety the ahead-slash (/) on your keyboard when the conserve dialog box pops up and you will go straight to a “Go to Folder” window that allows you swiftly navigate to anywhere on your Mac. You’ll need to have to know the path, but it’ll also help you save your current areas so you do not have to retype lengthy strings of folders. It even is effective with the person shortcut applying the ~ symbol.

This is no April Fool’s gag. I have now applied the simple shortcut a number of times right now (like when conserving this short article) and the time cost savings is massive. It retains your fingers on the keys and is substantially faster at finding to a folder than clicking merchandise in the sidebar or navigating as a result of levels of folders.

For instance, if you want to help save a photo to your user folder, style “/~/Pictures”. Or if you want to get to your Paperwork folder, consider typing “/~/Documents”. And start out counting the seconds you are likely to preserve every single time you need to have to conserve one thing in a faraway folder.

Some audience have pointed out some other wonderful shortcuts that will help save tons of time and aggravation:

To leap straight to the desktop, press Command-D when the dialog box arrives up.

Typing “~” will go immediately to your user folder with no urgent the slash very first.

You can press the tab button to end recognised places without the need of typing the whole term.