Hi, I am trying to search for files in a folder and its subfolders; the files all start with "_DSC...". I can search in one folder (but not its subfolders), or the entire Mac, but that's not what I want. I want the intermediate option: a folder and subfolders. Any help appreciated!
JP
iMac 27″, macOS 10.15
I have a folder on my Desktop named TestZ, and its structure looks like:
In a Finder window set to my Desktop, I can enter the following in its search window, with the following results (without requiring a rebuild of my Spotlight index — cough):
I reduced the width of the Finder window to offer a larger search field. With the Finder View menu : Show Path Bar enabled, I can click on any of the found items, and their path will appear near the bottom of the Window to aid location.
I have set the Finder Preferences : Advanced panel to When performing a search: [ Search the Current Folder ↕︎ ], which adds the selectable This Mac and "Desktop" items to the Search sub-toolbar.
OK - it works as expected for folders on my hard disk. But it doesn't work for folders on an external disk, presumably because Spotlight has never indexed the external disk (or maybe because that contains old Aperture vaults which Apple now disavows :) )
I'll try letting Spotlight index that disk and see what happens.
Thanks!
When a search starts in a folder, it should descend into subfolders. What you select in the search bar is the top level of the search. I don't know why you are seeing something different than what it is supposed to do.
Maybe the Spotlight index is incomplete. You can try reindexing Spotlight.
What format is the external? It can't index some drives because of the format.
If the "vaults" are just folders, it should be able to index the files inside.
Searching in a folder and subfolders - How?
