elmerlang

Q: Spotlight doesn't show location

HI,

 

I don't use Spotlight much for searches because it doesn't show the location of what you're searching for whereas the window's search thingy in the upper righthand does.

 

Or am I missing something?

 

best

elmer

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Sep 9, 2016 6:12 PM

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Q: Spotlight doesn't show location

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Sep 9, 2016 6:28 PM in response to elmerlang
    Level 10 (120,618 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 9, 2016 6:28 PM in response to elmerlang

    Spotlight doesn't show the location.

     

    So try the Finder window. Type in the name of your hard drive top right corner of the window.

     

     

    I see you've started multiple discussions for the same issue >  elmerlang

     

    And that makes it harder to assist you. It's better to stay with one discussion.

  • by tygb ,

    tygb tygb Sep 9, 2016 7:24 PM in response to elmerlang
    Level 2 (197 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2016 7:24 PM in response to elmerlang

    Hello !

               To show the location, please open system preferences - security and privacy - privacy check the box enable location services ,

    Suggested article : OS X El Capitan: Spotlight Suggestions

     

    Thanks !

  • by Barney-15E,Solvedanswer

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Sep 11, 2016 8:23 AM in response to elmerlang
    Level 8 (49,784 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 11, 2016 8:23 AM in response to elmerlang

    With an item selected in the Spotlight window, hold down the command key. It will show the path to the file if it is a file.

    If you hit the return key while holding down command the Finder will open the enclosing folder and select the item.

  • by elmerlang,

    elmerlang elmerlang Sep 9, 2016 11:14 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2016 11:14 PM in response to Barney-15E

    @Barney-15E—Thanks!

     

    @Carolyn Samit—The search window in the Finder window cannot find everything. Not sure if that is a problem with El Capitan or what. But why I tried re-indexing Spotlight.

     

    @Anyone—I wonder why things I find in Spotlight I can't find in the Finder window's search window. Are they the product of different indexing? Strange.

     

    best

    elmer

  • by Barney-15E,Helpful

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Sep 11, 2016 8:23 AM in response to elmerlang
    Level 8 (49,784 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 11, 2016 8:23 AM in response to elmerlang

    Finder and Spotlight both use Spotlight's index.

    Spotlight does not search system folders which includes your user Library folder. You can make Finder search them, either by starting the search in one, or using the "System Files" criteria.

     

    Spotlight searches both content and file name for the search term.

    Finder searches can be modified to search for either or both by selecting the appropriate search token when offered.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 10, 2016 5:24 PM in response to elmerlang
    Level 9 (70,068 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 10, 2016 5:24 PM in response to elmerlang

    Also try Finder/View/Show Path Bar.

  • by elmerlang,

    elmerlang elmerlang Sep 11, 2016 8:29 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 11, 2016 8:29 AM in response to Barney-15E

    Thanks for the replies!

     

    @Barney-15E—What "System Files" criteria are you referring to. Got a cute?

     

    Your help is much appreciated!

     

    @Eric—That is fine for the search window in the windows, as Barney said, pressing cmd in Spotlight will get the path. Hope this helps.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Sep 11, 2016 5:46 PM in response to elmerlang
    Level 8 (49,784 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 11, 2016 5:46 PM in response to elmerlang

    When you add criteria to search for, click on the "Kind" popup and choose "Other…"

    from the list of options, choose System Files.

    You can keep it in the menu by checking the box in the list. Of the other items available, File Visibility is useful.