Unable to Paste cleanly into sub folder in Finder

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Level 1

5 points

Unable to Paste cleanly into sub folder in Finder

When Pasting into a highlighted sub folder, the paste misses the highlighted sub folder and pastes into the root folder. Not a huge problem, but it adds a step to get files into the sub folder.

This is not always the case. Sometimes the Cut and Paste works perfectly, for a while, then fails for a while. Rebooting either Finder or my Macbook Pro makes no difference. It either works or it doesn't, then suddenly changes.

This happens with Finder folders and Google Drive folders. This happens whether copying and pasting 1 or multiple files. This happens if I am copying the files from the Desktop or from a root, or sub folder. This happens whether using keyboard commands, drop down menus, or using a mouse right click.

This has been a recurring, intermittent, problem I have experienced through several OS X updates. Currently running OS X10.10.4 on a Macbook Pro 15" Late 2011.

I cannot figure out if I am doing something different to have different results, or if the pasting function becomes stupid for a while. I have looked through Finder preferences, and cannot see anything setting that would affect this issue.

Ideas? Suggestions? Fixes?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 19, 2015 12:35 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,060 points

Jul 19, 2015 12:51 PM in response to BernieVideo

You are using List View. The target of the window is the highest level folder displayed. Whatever you do goes to the target, not the selection. You can see the target as the name in the titlebar.

This is exactly the same as if you were in icon view and had a folder selected. Pasting would not go into the selected folder, but into the target of the Finder window.

If you use Column View, the Selection becomes the target.

So, no matter what view you use, the destination is that which is listed in the title of the window.

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Answer 2

BernieVideo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 20, 2015 9:59 AM in response to Barney-15E

I guess I should have specified which view I have been using.

The issue I have been experiencing has been in list view, but, the fact that the clean paste into a sub folder does work for a period of time makes me wonder if you are correct. The fact that it works sometimes and not other times seems to lead to the conclusion that what you described is not a hard rule. I do recall that this issue has become more pronounced since upgrading to Mavericks.

PS... I hate column view

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,060 points

Jul 20, 2015 4:12 PM in response to BernieVideo

BernieVideo wrote:

and to confuse things.... I just copied a file from my desktop and cleanly pasted the file into a sub folder using list view, using a right mouse click.

Magically it is working now.

Then perhaps that is possible. Otherwise, it has worked as I described for the last 15 years.

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Answer 4

BernieVideo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 20, 2015 12:57 PM in response to BernieVideo

and to confuse things.... I just copied a file from my desktop and cleanly pasted the file into a sub folder using list view, using a right mouse click.

Magically it is working now.

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Answer 5

BernieVideo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 20, 2015 5:09 PM in response to BernieVideo

Anyone else have a take on this?

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