Enter key does not open the file

What does "enter" or "return" mean in case of mac?

Just as it has always done since the very early days of computing: It tells the OS (or, more correctly, the current application) to process the input.

Now, just how that application processes the input varies greatly.

In a text editing application, 'enter' is usually interpreted as "Finish the current paragraph and start a new line"

In a shell-based application (such as Terminal.app), 'enter' is interpreted as 'take the command/data I've just typed and execute it'

In the Finder (and the crux of this thread), 'enter' is interpreted as 'allow me to rename this file/folder'

So, what is the purpose of the key? To process data in whatever way the current application determines is appropriate.

I am about a week into using my first Mac, coming from Windows. And while I would very much like to be able to customize the Enter key in Finder to enter folders and execute files, I certainly wouldn't want to force that choice on folks that prefer to use Cmd-O or Cmd-Down. I think the 'key' here is that we'd all like to be able to use the software in the way it feels most comfortable to us.

I'm sure I'll learn the Mac keystrokes eventually. It would be somewhat easier if there were more customization available. But it's not the end of the world, and certainly not worth some of the name-calling I've seen here and in other threads. I'm very grateful to the help I've gotten here from the long-time Mac users.

Thanks,

Doug

Bob,

Thanks for the suggestion. Your link was not found, but when I just stopped after 'feedback' it worked well. I did leave some feedback for Apple in the 'iMac' category since there didn't seem to be any choice for OS X itself.

Thanks,

Doug

Hi,

I am a new Mac user facing the same problem with enter-key. It is very illogical the way in which I can open a file on a Mac. I would like to show my criticisms in detail.

Firstly, why should I press not one, but two keys (cmd+O) in order to open a file which is such a frequent action! I do think Apple should apply Occam's razor to improve its operative system, namely entia non suntmultiplicanda praeternecessitatem(Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity).

Secondly, Apple should be more consistent. If to open a file I am obliged to press cmd+O, so to exit I should press cmd+E. On the contrary, it is possible to exit just pressing ESC. Why?

Thirdly, the word "enter" literally means 'to go into': e.g.: "the door opened and Karl entered". When I press ENTER key I am willing to go into a folder or a file.

Thank you for your understanding, Apple.

George,

I'm kind of in the same boat. I certainly wouldn't want to change the default since there are ton of legacy users who would be disappointed. But an option in System Preferences would be nice so that I could use the file manager in a way that makes sense to me.

Since Apple doesn't necessarily read these posts, several folks suggested that I post my suggestion in: apple.com/feedback

For category, go down to MacOS Apps, then over to MacOS.

I have done that and I suggest you do the same. Another vote couldn't hurt!

Thanks,

Doug

Firstly, why should I press not one, but two keys (cmd+O) in order to open a file which is such a frequent action!

Because it's consistent not just from the desktop, but through every single app you use. Open is assigned to Command+O everywhere.

(Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity).

You mean like in Windows? Where if you're already in an app, you must first press Alt to get to the menus attached to whichever document is in front, then press S to save, or whichever command is your second keyboard action. Command+S - one keyboard action. Command+O - one keyboard action. And so on. There's no key you need to press just to get to the menu actions.

exit I should press cmd+E

What's wrong with the equally valid Q for Quit? Exit the app, quit the app. Same difference.

Enter has various meanings, as many words in English do. In fact, one of them directly relates to computers, and has nothing to do with its usage as in entering a room. You could be entering into an agreement (contract). Here's one definition of the word. The noun entry says it all.

en·ter

ˈen(t)ər/

verb

1. come or go into (a place).

"she entered the kitchen"

synonyms: go in/into, come in/into, get in/into, set foot in, cross the threshold of, gain access to,

infiltrate, access

"police entered the house from the side"

2. begin to be involved in.

"in 1941 America entered the war"

synonyms: get involved in, join, throw oneself into, engage in, embark on, take up; participate in, take part in, play a part/role in, contribute to

"he entered politics in 1979"

3. write or key (information) in a book, computer, etc., so as to record it.

"children can enter the data into the computer"

synonyms: record, write, set down, put down, take down, note, jot down; More

noun

1. a key on a computer keyboard that is used to perform various functions, such as executing a command or selecting options on a menu.

Basically, it's the same tired argument. The Mac OS doesn't do what you're used to in Windows. That doesn't make it wrong. Two different companies - two independently different ideas of how an OS should behave and be interacted with.

Kurt,

Yeah, I get it. After about 9 months I've learned the keystrokes. Despite what my wife thinks, I can be trained! :-)

I think what amazed me was not so much what the <Enter> key doesn't do, but what it does do, which is rename files. I remember thinking, wow, am I going to be spending a lot of time renaming files? But I'm glad to report that I don't rename any more files than I did in Windows!

I am very much enjoying my 27" 5K iMac for my photography work. The screen is gorgeous. I haven't let the difference in keystrokes get in the way of that. For anyone contemplating their first iMac, I would highly recommend getting the expanded keyboard with not only the numeric keypad, but the 5 keys missing on the magic keyboard (Home, End, PgUp, PgDn, Delete). I think those keys more than save me the 2 keystrokes for opening files! :-)

Thanks again for participating in this thread. I've said before that I very much appreciate all the help I've gotten from experienced Mac users in these discussions.

Thanks,

Doug

I think what amazed me was not so much what the <Enter> key doesn't do, but what it does do, which is rename files.

I agree. Neither action makes true logical sense. Why should the Enter key launch a file's associated app in Windows? Or activate the file/folder name on the Mac? You can sort of connect them as Enter the app for Windows, and Enter a name for Mac. But these OS choices aren't always based on a logical connection, but rather, simplicity. It's one of the larger keys on a keyboard, so let's assign a frequently used, one key action to it type of thing.

There's no logic at all to Command+E to place an image (Import) in Quark, which is Command+D (Place) in InDesign. Neither letter represents even part of the action's word. So why those letters? They were likely chosen for reach. Both are highly used actions in both apps, so choose a key combination that requires little finger gymnastics. Same as Command+X, C and V (Ctrl+X, C and V for Windows). C is obvious for Copy, but X and V? No logic at all by letter. They're grouped next to each other for ease of reach and use. Copy, move your finger over one key, paste.

This is a user-to-user support forum. You are not talking to Apple

You need to double click with the mouse or press command+O to open a file.

I don't have an enter key on my iPhone. How do I hit the enter key to open an app on the iPhone?

dhirajkumar wrote:

If somebody is contending this then they should understand usability first.

Could you please provide a link to your PhD thesis on 'usability'? Thanks in advance.

does selecting the file, then clicking (and release) on the name work still ?

otherwise File - Get Info (Command - I)

andyBall_uk, you are so right... both of those methods work great! Thanks!

Here's a solution that worked for me, great free application that allows you to change several finder settings including using the enter key to open a file.

http://www.trankynam.com/xtrafinder/