Long file names shortened

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Level 1

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Long file names shortened

I'm sure it's been asked before, but I can't seem to find an answer.

How to change the default of how Leopard manages the long file names by shortening them and putting (...) in the middle of the name? I would prefer it to be at the end (I think it's like this in Windows).

I know there is a way of doing it by either typing some command in the Terminal or by using some little app to do it, but I forgot what it was. If it's a command, can you please also tell me the one that would revert things to their original state (just in case).

Thanks for your help.

MacBook Pro 5,1, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 13, 2010 3:03 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 13, 2010 3:51 PM in response to r5ldn

Simply expand the column size to display more of the filename. Hovering your cursor over it should elicit a yellow balloon box with the full name.

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Answer 2

r5ldn Author

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Mar 14, 2010 1:55 AM in response to Kappy

Yes, I know about those two options, but I don't want to do that every time I want to see the longer name (and the resizing doesn't work for the desktop anyway).

Anybody else has the answer I'm looking for?

Thanks.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 14, 2010 10:50 AM in response to r5ldn

I should have mentioned that there is no other option. Filenames displayed below icons on the Desktop are restricted to a maximum of two lines with a width determined by the default gap between or below an icon.

Resizing a column in list view is permanent for the window. Every time it's opened the column sizes are retained.

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Answer 4

r5ldn Author

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Mar 14, 2010 12:29 PM in response to Kappy

There is no official option, but I know there a little app that tweaks things, only I forgot what's it called.

Also I use column view in the Finder and when I close the window the size always goes back to its default state.

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 14, 2010 12:39 PM in response to r5ldn

When you open a new window for a given folder including a disk drive the press COMMAND-J where you set the desired defaults. Size your columns, set the view type, then at the top of the config window check the box to always open in that view. At the bottom check the box to make it the default. Then if you close the window and reopen it on the same folder everything you configured should remain the same. It certainly does on my computer.

I know of no utility that can tweak the filename display other than to change the number of displayed lines from one to two. If you want to search for something then look here: VersionTracker or MacUpdate.

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Answer 6

r5ldn Author

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Mar 14, 2010 1:08 PM in response to r5ldn

There isn't a box at the bottom to check to make it a default view. Every time I close the window, it goes back to its original size.

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 14, 2010 1:31 PM in response to r5ldn

Try the top window of the hierarchy. Start at the disk drive level, then for each subsequent window such as Applications, then Utilities, etc. Once the top hierarchy window is set all sub-folders should adopt the same configuration. If it isn't working as such on your system, then download one of the free utilities for removing all .DS_Store files which should reset all to the initial defaults.

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Answer 8

May 3, 2010 12:52 PM in response to r5ldn

I just had this issue after installing 10.6.3. Go to Finder > View > Show View Options > Adjust the grid spacing slider (wider allows more characters).

I'm still confused as to why this isn't under Finder Preferences, but it's always been there. Not everything Apple does is completely well thought out.

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