Zach Foster

Q: Mavericks Will Not Retain Finder List-View Column Resizing

I've noticed this to occur at the root level of my hard disk in Finder.  A visual will work best:

 

Screen Shot 2013-11-07 at 12.37.38 PM.png

 

The "User Guides and Information" folder is truncated at the root level of my Hard Disk.  I will then manually resize the column:

 

Screen Shot 2013-11-07 at 12.38.10 PM.png

 

When I close out this window via the red close circle, and re-open, Finder will not remember my custom column view.  It will revert back to the previously truncated state.

 

Oddly enough, I've found Finder to correctly preserve custom list view columns when you drill down a level (such as my custom column views inside of my Applications folder, for example).

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mavericks (10.9), 8 GB RAM

Posted on Nov 7, 2013 9:47 AM

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Q: Mavericks Will Not Retain Finder List-View Column Resizing

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  • by Sunflower*,

    Sunflower* Sunflower* Nov 28, 2013 1:23 PM in response to Zach Foster
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2013 1:23 PM in response to Zach Foster

    This question has been on the forum for 3 weeks with not a single answer.  I have this problem too and it is very annoying.  Is there no solution?

  • by o1sowise,

    o1sowise o1sowise Dec 5, 2013 12:57 PM in response to Sunflower*
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 5, 2013 12:57 PM in response to Sunflower*
  • by cd-quality,

    cd-quality cd-quality Feb 5, 2014 5:10 AM in response to Zach Foster
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2014 5:10 AM in response to Zach Foster

    I hope Apple adresses this basic finder problem...

     

    No,Xtrafinder is not the solution; now my listview colums are too small and if want to open a file the colums are muuuuuch too wide again...

     

    Apple please get the basics right ( as they were) before implementing new gadgets!

     

     

     

  • by Sunflower*,

    Sunflower* Sunflower* Feb 5, 2014 5:48 AM in response to cd-quality
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2014 5:48 AM in response to cd-quality

    I managed to find a solution that sorts the problem out for the time being till maybe Apple rectifies it.  It is to open Finder and have it expanded to fit the screen.  I don't know the proper names of things but in the heading that says Name etc, right click that so that you get a list of other things that can go in that heading, like Date Modified, Date Created etc.

     

    Tick one or two that you don't need, like Tags for example.  The purpose of those extra headings are to fill the column space at the right hand side of Finder so that it keeps the columns that you DO want on the left hand side kept in the same place.  Once you've got all the headings and columns, move the width of the ones you want to the size that you want, making sure that the ones that you don't want, like Tags, on the right hand side totally fills up the rest of the column space.

     

    This makes the full page Finder column space full up so that the columns you want don't end up shrinking every time you open Finder.  Return Finder to the size that you usually use, adjust the width of your wanted columns to the size that you want and it should stay in place because the rest of the space in Finder is filled with the unwanted columns you chose, but which are hidden from view on the far right hand side of Finder, if you've got Finder smaller than the full screen, that is.

     

    Ever since I did this with my columns (in List view) my columns remain where I have set them.  (I hope you understand all that OK).

  • by cd-quality,

    cd-quality cd-quality Feb 5, 2014 11:06 AM in response to Sunflower*
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2014 11:06 AM in response to Sunflower*

    Sunflower, although your solution is not that clear- you are right it works! !!!

     

    and i can add something useful too:

    it is possible in the same manner to get a specific size and column width  in  the  'Open"  and 'Save' dialog windows of programs.

     

    When you are in the dialog window open or save  - you can resize it and add some columns like tags and remarks by using the ctrl-click in the menubar.

    Next: Make that window large so everything is visible.

    Now remove those items again and adjust the window size and columns for your needs.

    save these settings in the finder view options - command-J

    and you are done.

    the next time you use Open or save you get the window the way you wanted is...

     

    It worked for me even after restarting the computer so maybe this is a real fix ..

     

    -- something else:

    You will have to renew the aliases in the left column of the finder window ( disks- maps etc)

  • by cd-quality,

    cd-quality cd-quality Feb 5, 2014 11:13 AM in response to cd-quality
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2014 11:13 AM in response to cd-quality

    No were are not done yet - is does not stay all the time...

  • by Sunflower*,

    Sunflower* Sunflower* Feb 5, 2014 11:27 AM in response to cd-quality
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2014 11:27 AM in response to cd-quality

    Oh, I was delighted a few minutes ago when I read your previous message but now I'm sad again to get this last one.  I don't know why it's not working for you as it works for me, even after restarts.  My columns don't move now, now that I've fully filled up the hidden right hand side of Finder.

     

    I found that solution elsewhere, though much better explained than my explanation.  I tried it and have had no problems since.  I am sorry that it's not working for you.  I don't know where I got that solution I used so can't show you exactly what was said.  But it made sense to me - to fill all the Finder column space up so that the columns can't move any more.

     

    But certainly Apple should fix that properly.  I don't know why they don't.  All I can say is try it again.  Even try using ALL the available column options so that it's that filled up that it is impossible for the columns to budge any more.

     

    Good luck.

  • by cd-quality,

    cd-quality cd-quality Feb 6, 2014 3:59 AM in response to Sunflower*
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2014 3:59 AM in response to Sunflower*

    OK Sunflower, at last i understand what you mean... it works indeed.

     

    but it seems i have to do it for every single Folder... (?) 

  • by Sunflower*,

    Sunflower* Sunflower* Feb 6, 2014 4:11 AM in response to cd-quality
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2014 4:11 AM in response to cd-quality

    Ah, at last, you made it!  Excellent.  Sorry I wasn't able to make it a simple 1, 2, 3 thing.  I found it hard to explain especially when I didn't know the proper terms but I thought it was better that I at least do something rather than do nothing about it at all.

     

    Yes it has to be done for every Finder folder - i.e. everything in your Sidebar.  It's a nuisance, but once you have done all that, it should be OK thereafter.

     

    All we need now is for Apple to fix it properly.  Anyway, glad you got there in the end.

  • by cd-quality,

    cd-quality cd-quality Feb 6, 2014 5:22 AM in response to Sunflower*
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2014 5:22 AM in response to Sunflower*

    Well, all these settings are in the finder- preferences file...

     

    If you understand those , you would know what to change...

     

    i will have a short look but do not intend to become a computer expert...

     

    It is a shame Apple does not provide a decent manual for the Finder-application...

    They always seem to say- it is so obvious ; you do not need one... well we all know that its not true.

    I am a 15 year Apple user and still have to find out 'obvious' things..

  • by Hugo Stiglitz,

    Hugo Stiglitz Hugo Stiglitz Feb 13, 2014 10:51 PM in response to Zach Foster
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 13, 2014 10:51 PM in response to Zach Foster

    This is a very aggravating issue and it should be at the top of Apple's 'to-do' list for it's next system update. I have found no solution or reasonable workaround for this.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Feb 14, 2014 1:47 PM in response to cd-quality
    Level 9 (69,659 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 14, 2014 1:47 PM in response to cd-quality

    Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions.

     

    Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem solved sooner.

     

    Feedback

  • by PaintballMJM,

    PaintballMJM PaintballMJM Mar 24, 2014 2:35 PM in response to Zach Foster
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 24, 2014 2:35 PM in response to Zach Foster

    Although it's not a permanent fix, there is an AppleScript you can use that will fix your window automatically. Once you've saved the script, you can add it to your right-click context menu for future use with the (amazing) FinderPop app. Here's the link to the script: http://christianvarga.com/fix-finder-name-column-width-bug-osx-mavericks/

     

    Hope this helps for now! (But get on it, Apple!)

  • by cd-quality,

    cd-quality cd-quality Mar 24, 2014 3:58 PM in response to PaintballMJM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 24, 2014 3:58 PM in response to PaintballMJM

    Hello, paintball ,

     

    Thank you for your contribution,

    but i think the real solution has arrived:

    10.9.2

    My problems are over

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