"Cut" is greyed out

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Level 1

69 points

"Cut" is greyed out

I am trying to organize a lot of files on the server, and I cannot click on "cut" in the edit menu. It is greyed out. I thought maybe it was because it was a remote connection, but even on my own hard drive it doesn't let me cut and paste files. When I do this on Windows, I can "cut" files (and the file icons turn faded to signify this), then I navigate to wherever, and then I "paste" them, and the OS performs the necessary functions to take care of this. I tried restarting, but still no 'cut.' This is taking me an inordinately long time to do this the long way! (I am having to have two windows open, navigate them both to the appropriate locations, and drag & drop.) Please help!

Mac Pro 2.8ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Apr 24, 2008 12:30 PM

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Answer 1

LD Bear old Author

Level 1

69 points

Apr 24, 2008 12:52 PM in response to LD Bear old

Well I figured that was the answer. I've noticed on the Mac that if it's not easy to figure out, it's just not possible. Ridiculous to leave out such basic capability, though, in a machine that is capable of so much.

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Answer 2

Apr 24, 2008 1:44 PM in response to LD Bear old

You can move a file from one place to another by holding down the Command key while dragging. That removes it from the first folder and places it in the other.

Also, instead of opening the two folders, drag the file you want to move over the parent folder you want to move it to. After a moment the spring-loaded folder will open the parent folder and show you all the folders inside. Then you find the next parent folder and keep drilling down until you get to the folder you want to put it in and release the mouse button.

You can adjust the speed of spring loaded folders in the Finder/Preferences General tab to open them them more quickly.

It also helps if you have a trackball with a “hold” function or a method of holding onto the files you are moving. Otherwise, if your finger slips off the button you can accidentally drop it in a folder you didn’t intend for the file to go.

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Answer 3

gumsie

Level 4

2,185 points

Apr 24, 2008 1:01 PM in response to LD Bear old

I Have always wondered why they didn't include that particular piece of functionality.

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Answer 4

gumsie

Level 4

2,185 points

Apr 24, 2008 12:44 PM in response to LD Bear old

Alas, that is something you cannot do on a Mac. You can cut text but not files or folders.

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