How to Select Range of Photos

Question

How to Select Range of Photos

In the Finder window in the icon View, I am trying to select a photo, then going to the last photo, to select a range of photos to copy. But I can't get them all selected, only one at a time gets selected.

I tried this:

Select the first file of the next range by holding down the Command key and left-clicking the file. Now you can use the Shift key to select the last file in the range as you did in step two. This can be repeated multiple times, allowing you to select multiple ranges of files within a folder so that you can easily copy or move them to a new location.

But it didn't work.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Dec 7, 2011 8:39 AM

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Answer 1

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Dec 7, 2011 8:56 AM in response to Chris Milligan

Click the first file in the range that you want to select. Move the cursor to the last file in the range and hold the Shift key while you click it. Everything in between will be selected.

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Answer 2

Dec 7, 2011 9:02 AM in response to eww

I tried that. It only selects the first and last item.

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Answer 3

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Dec 7, 2011 9:28 AM in response to Chris Milligan

I apologize; you're quite right that it doesn't work in the Finder. What I suggested works in iPhoto's and Aperture's browser windows, and that's what I must have been thinking of. Nor does what you said you tried first work for me.

Hold the trackpad button while you drag the cursor to select a range of icons, then hold the Command key while you drag the cursor again to select another, non-contiguous range.

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Answer 4

Dec 8, 2011 6:23 PM in response to eww

I'm not sure I follow you. When I click on the trackpad and try to select a photo, the icon moves, additional icons are not selected. Your step about holding the Command key, I don't understand. I am supposed to select some icons, and then select some random icons?

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,318 points

Dec 8, 2011 6:34 PM in response to Chris Milligan

In icon view you have to drag-select. You can shift-select in Column view or List view.

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Answer 6

Dec 8, 2011 8:03 PM in response to Barney-15E

When I click the touchpad and then on the first photo, only the first photo is dragged.

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Answer 7

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,318 points

Dec 9, 2011 4:15 AM in response to Chris Milligan

Drag around the icons, not on them.

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Answer 8

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Dec 9, 2011 7:00 AM in response to Barney-15E

You're dragging to create an imaginary rectangle that surrounds all the icons you want to select. If you want to select an additional group of icons that isn't contiguous with the first, hold down the Command key while you do it, and the first group will stay selected too.

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Answer 9

Dec 9, 2011 7:52 AM in response to eww

That explains it much better, thank you!

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Answer 10

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Dec 9, 2011 9:11 AM in response to Chris Milligan

Sorry I wasn't clearer sooner.

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