tag files at finder did not work well

I have multiple pdf files like 500 files inside one folder and sorted by tag only like "unsort","cpp","travel" tag and so on. sometimes i tag unsort to sort it later at free time. so later i reomve "unsort" tag and add "cpp" tag.


the problem is mac is creating a new tag like red,green,blue tag.

1- the files is shown under red tag

2- the file stuck and not got "cpp" tag

3- I can not delete "red" tag and stayed for days and even rebooting did not solve


kindly how to solve this problem.


Apple M1 Max

macos tahoe 26.2 (25C56)

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 2, 2026 6:12 PM

Reply
7 replies

Jan 3, 2026 7:10 AM in response to adalsa

I'm not sure that I completely understand your workflow but will try to help.


First, visit Finder settings to modify the available tags to meet your needs:


Finder menu > Settings... > Tags >


  1. Click each tag you do not use (i.e. red, green, etc.) and click "-" at the bottom to remove it.
  2. Modify/manage the names and colors of the tags that you do use (i.e. "unsort", "cpp", "travel")
  3. Enable the check box to the right of each to ensure that your tags appear at the bottom of Finder


Add the Tags column to Finder:


  1. Finder menu > View > Show View Options > Show Columns: > Tags


Then, you can select one or more files, and either right-click and modify their tags, or, click the Edit Tags icon at the top of finder to manage the tags applied. You can then sort by tags in two ways:


  • In any Finder view: Finder menu > View > Show View Options > click the Sort By pop-up menu, then choose Tags
  • In Finder List view: Move the pointer over the Tags column > Click the column name to sort or reverse the sort


More information about using Tags is available here:

Use tags to organize files on Mac - Apple Support



Jan 3, 2026 7:16 AM in response to adalsa

There are only six fixed color tags and a seventh if you want to use the transparent None tag. There is no means for the user to choose their own custom tag color, but one can create custom tag names in the Finder Settings > Tags panel with one of the available tag colors and then make it active ☑︎ for use in the Finder.


One can add one or more of these custom tag names to a single or collection of files. One can insert, change, or remove these tags using the Finder secondary menu item Tags… after right-clicking on a file or selection of files.


I have a PDF on my Desktop that has four tags assigned to it:



If I want to insert a tag, I must use the left or right arrow key to position the insertion point in front of the tag where I want the new tag inserted. If I want to remove one (or more tags), I position the insertion point behind that tag and press backspace. Should I want to replace a given tag, I simply click on it and choose a different tag to overwrite its position in the tag list. Follow these changes with a return key before clicking Esc to dismiss the panel.


Tested: macOS Tahoe 26.2

Jan 4, 2026 8:12 AM in response to adalsa

To be clear my main problem is when change from unsort tag by removing it and add travel tag and press enter the macos creating new tag like blue and red without my permission and hang that file with it.


i chaged tags for files by right click and choose tags and remove and add after that i press enter


i dont want the system to create red blue … tags just sorted as i like

Jan 4, 2026 4:23 PM in response to VikingOSX

To be clear my main problem is when change from unsort tag by removing it and add travel tag and press enter the macos creating new tag like blue and red without my permission and hang that file with it.


i chaged tags for files by right click and choose tags and remove and add after that i press enter


i dont want the system to create red blue … tags just sorted as i like

Jan 4, 2026 4:24 PM in response to Barney-15E

To be clear my main problem is when change from unsort tag by removing it and add travel tag and press enter the macos creating new tag like blue and red without my permission and hang that file with it.


i chaged tags for files by right click and choose tags and remove and add after that i press enter


i dont want the system to create red blue … tags just sorted as i like

tag files at finder did not work well

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