Macbook Pro Finder - How to create a new folder within a folder

Question

Level 1

23 points

Macbook Pro Finder - How to create a new folder within a folder

Hello

I have looked at a few threads already but could not find one that answers my question.

Apologies if this has been discussed before.

I used to think it was industry standard that when one would 'right click' on a folder in the Finder menu/tool, there would be options to create a new folder......

and that new folder would 'insert' itself into the Folder Level that you highlighted.

However from what I hear and have experienced, any new folder you create is inserted at the highest level (ie, Folder Level 1) and once you create that, you then have an extra step to click and drag it into the relevant Folder Level (ie, Level 3) that you wanted it to be in in the first place.

Folder Level 1

Folder Level 2
1. Folder Level 3
  1. Folder Level 4

So my 2 questions are:

(1) Is it true that when you right click in Finder on an existing folder there is no option to select create new folder? Thus the only way to do this is to either use shortcut keys or click on the FILE menu and then select the option for New Folder.

(2) When creating a new folder is it true that it will always create itself at the highest level (ie, Folder Level 1 in my bove example)?

Appreciate if anyone has the time to answer. Thanks in advance

-divelab

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Mar 29, 2016 9:25 AM

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Answer 1

theratter

Level 4

3,961 points

Mar 29, 2016 9:36 AM in response to divelab

1. On my system it's the topmost option when you right-click in a Finder window. Be sure you aren't doing that on a selected file or folder or you get a different context menu.

2. It should create it in the folder you are in at the time you create it.

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Answer 2

divelab Author

Level 1

23 points

Mar 29, 2016 9:49 AM in response to theratter

ah so you

(1) right click at the folder level you want to insert your new folder

(2) then select "Open in New Window" -this is the top most option I see when I right click

(3) when that opens, then click on FILE menu

(4) then click on NEW FOLDER option

(5) i now see a new folder that is created inside the original folder I highlighted.

is that how it works for you?

if yes, I will probably start using that process.

But was hoping it would be more simple.

meaning... wouldn't it be nice id you could just

(1) right click at the folder level you want to insert your new folder

(2) then select "NEW FOLDER"

(3) new folder should then be created within the original folder (ie, a sub folder)

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Answer 3

theratter

Level 4

3,961 points

Mar 29, 2016 10:39 AM in response to divelab

I think you have selected a folder, then right-clicked on the selected folder. You need to right-click in white space in the folder listing:

The above creates the new folder in the current folder. Your procedure will first open a new window, then create the new folder in that folder. Or once in the new folder simply right-click in the white space to get the above dialog.

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Answer 4

divelab Author

Level 1

23 points

Mar 29, 2016 1:31 PM in response to theratter

well it's not that straightforward but here is what i discovered so far...

there are 4 views in FINDER.

(1) Icons

(2) List

(3) Columns

(4) Cover Flow

All this time I was using the LIST view which never allowed me to create a new folder within the folder I highlighted.

Even if I had to manually select from the FILE menu this option. I would still have to click and drag it in to the parent folder of my choice.

I believe I should be using the COLUMNS view instead for my purposes.

In this view, I can highlight the folder I wish to create a subfolder for, and then goto the FILE menu and select NEW FOLDER and presto!

I then have a new subfolder within that folder I highlighted.

Although this is the best solution I have found so far... i am still dumbfounded as to why there is no right click option for this, and also why it only works in the COLUMNS view 😟😠

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Answer 5

theratter

Level 4

3,961 points

Mar 29, 2016 1:40 PM in response to divelab

Sorry, but it works for me in List View. I can do it if no file or folder is selected or by simply doing it over some white space in the listing.

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