Miscellaneous MacOS Tips
(thanks to my friend Jim Lee for this one)
Sometimes you need to copy the exact location of a file in macOS through all nested folders (in the graphical user interface of the Finder) or directories (in the identical Unix hierarchy accessible via Terminal). This can be useful for deleting a file that requires intervention through the Terminal or for troubleshooting. I recently had to dig up some errant Dropbox entries for their technical support to figure out why syncing would never complete.
There are two tricks to find this full path from the Finder:
- Control- or right-click a file or folder. After the contextual menu appears (and only after), add the Option key and then select Copy “file name or folder name” as Pathname.
Here is a link to a YouTube video of useful tips and the time stamps to see them if you want to scan ahead. (cmd is Command Key, but you probably already knew that.)
0:47 01 – swap between apps: cmd + tab 1:14 02 – close apps from app switcher: press Q while in app switcher 1:26 03 – hot corners 1:53 04 – advanced hot corners 2:18 05 – hide a window: cmd + h 2:35 06 – cycle between app windows: cmd + ` 2:53 07 – stacks 3:13 08 – video screenshots: cmd + shift + 5 3:32 09 – cleaner screenshots 3:53 10 – youtube picture-in-picture: right click on video 2 times 4:07 11 – safari picture-in-picture 4:21 12 – force touch quick look 4:44 13 – force touch dictionary 4:56 14 – force touch rename files 5:19 15 – approve with apple watch 5:45 16 – quickly open folders: cmd + up, cmd + down 6:05 17 – spotlight conversations & calculations 6:32 18 – switch between desktops: ctrl + left, ctrl + right 7:04 19 – instant file deletion: cmd + option + delete 7:23 20 – instant do not disturb 7:36 21 – alternate mouse control 8:19 22 – quick access to function key settings 8:33 23 – auto duplicating file 8:53 24 – hide all windows 9:0325 – easier link copying
When using Spotlight, once you find the file, if you want the location press cmd+r to get into the folder of that file.
And here is a link that has a 100++ keyboard shortcuts to help you speed things up. Get more done without touching the mouse or trackpad.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236