How to select multiple files in Finder with trackpad?

In Finder, in list view, if I use my mouse I can down-click near a filename and drag to select multiple files. If i try this with the trackpad, it doesn't work, it selects the one file and starts dragging it away. What trick am I missing?

MacBook Air, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 12, 2025 6:03 PM

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Posted on Feb 14, 2025 11:09 AM

nowhiz wrote:

That is incorrect. As I said in my OP and in my reply to Barney-15E, click-drag with the trackpad in List view in Finder does not work the same as click-drag with mouse; it drags the one file, it does not select multiple files.

A mouse or a trackpad work THE SAME WAY.

If you have enough space to start dragging OUTSIDE of any file, you can select by dragging.

If you click and drag starting ON a file, you drag that file, instead of selecting.


Here is me selecting with the TRACKPAD - the key is to start in the empty space.


18 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 14, 2025 11:09 AM in response to nowhiz

nowhiz wrote:

That is incorrect. As I said in my OP and in my reply to Barney-15E, click-drag with the trackpad in List view in Finder does not work the same as click-drag with mouse; it drags the one file, it does not select multiple files.

A mouse or a trackpad work THE SAME WAY.

If you have enough space to start dragging OUTSIDE of any file, you can select by dragging.

If you click and drag starting ON a file, you drag that file, instead of selecting.


Here is me selecting with the TRACKPAD - the key is to start in the empty space.


Feb 12, 2025 10:50 PM in response to nowhiz

nowhiz wrote:

I don't understand. Does that answer my question how to select multiple files using the trackpad? If I click the icon to select the file and then drag, it drags the file, it does not select additional files.

You can select multiple files with the Trackpad in the same manner as with a mouse. However, to explain the previous replies, if you hold down the command key, each file icon you click on will be selected. In the case of the shift key, click the first file you wish to select, then shift-click the last file, and then files between will be selected.

Feb 14, 2025 10:09 AM in response to nowhiz

I finally discovered the actual trick. To select more than one file from the same location, click to select one of the files, then down-click an adjacent file in the list and drag across the ones you want.

If you select File 1 in a list and then click-drag over Files 2 and 3, it will only select 2 & 3; if you want all three you have to first select File 2 and then click-drag over the three of them.

I haven't experimented with icon view.

Feb 15, 2025 1:52 AM in response to nowhiz

I stand by what I said: under the same circumstances, clicking and dragging work the same whether using a trackpad or a mouse.

I understand that you may not have space around, but this is irrespective of which pointing device you use. In that circumstance, the easiest way is probably one that others have mentioned: click the first (or last), then shift-click the last file (ir first).

Feb 13, 2025 4:02 AM in response to nowhiz

nowhiz wrote:

I don't understand. Does that answer my question how to select multiple files using the trackpad? If I click the icon to select the file and then drag, it drags the file, it does not select additional files.


try clicking in immediately dragging, not click wait drag.

also, make sure you’re not invoking force click by pressing hard on the trackpad.

Feb 14, 2025 2:17 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I do not have space above or below the files I want to move -- there are other files there.


If you want to say 'they work the same, under certain special conditions,' OK. But that isn't what was said, and it isn't what I mean by 'work the same.' I don't know how often those conditions obtain in your workspace, but they aren't conditions I often if ever see.

Feb 15, 2025 6:45 AM in response to nowhiz

I don’t have a mouse, I haven’t had one in about 20 years. I explained how to multi select files with the trackpad in list view . If it doesn’t work with a mouse as I described or to your liking contact Apple. We can do absolutely nothing about it if that is how it is designed. All we can offer is how we see it working and a setting to change if such a thing existed.

Feb 15, 2025 7:32 AM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E wrote:

I don’t have a mouse, I haven’t had one in about 20 years. I explained how to multi select files with the trackpad in list view . If it doesn’t work with a mouse as I described or to your liking contact Apple. We can do absolutely nothing about it if that is how it is designed. All we can offer is how we see it working and a setting to change if such a thing existed.

Ok, found a mouse to try. It works exactly the same as my Trackpad. What kind of mouse are you using? Does it have special software?

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How to select multiple files in Finder with trackpad?

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