Column view in Finder

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Level 1

25 points

Column view in Finder

Ok, so I had this problem before, but it sort of fixed itself, not sure how, but it has just resurfaced again. Normally, in Column view you can drag the width of the columns and make them as wide or narrow as you like. However, mine right now has the double-lined bar with the slider instead of single lines..... and I cannot adjust the columns... Not sure what this is or how it happens. Not sure if I am being clear enough in my description, but I am adding a screen shot to help.

Anybody else have this and any idea how to change this? I can't find anything in Prefs or View Options or anywhere else. I have had to Relaunch Finder from the Force Quit Applications window, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Have also restarted my MBP as well. I had posted a discussion about this before and don't remember if anybody answered it or not, but I can't find it.

Thanks for your responses.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), 16gb ram

Posted on Apr 22, 2016 5:27 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:31 PM in response to Manfred34

The lines are double lines because you have chosen the circled option for always showing the scroll bars, select one of the other 2 choices and you'll get your single lines back.

If you have the "Always" checked, and have what you are calling double lines, they are for the eventual display of a scrolling button. The column widths can still be adjusted though by using the marked area at the bottom of the column divider.

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Answer 2

macjack

Level 10

111,180 points

Apr 22, 2016 5:34 PM in response to Manfred34

Hi Manfred, I have seen this behavior a couple of times.

Go to your Finder "Go" menu hold the option key and choose Library. Then go to Preferences folder and trash these files:

com.apple.finder.plist

com.apple.sidebarlists.plist

Then, restart, or log out and in again.

(You will have to reset a few finder prefs the way you like them.)

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Answer 3

Manfred34 Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:05 PM in response to macjack

Thanks for the reply. Did not work though.....

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

122,687 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:09 PM in response to Manfred34

If you hover the cursor over the two vertical lines you mentioned, the arrow cursor should change to the resize cursor. You may have to experiment some to get it just in the right place.

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Answer 5

Manfred34 Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:11 PM in response to dialabrain

Nope, tried that. Normally, when it is just the single lines, you hover the cursor over the column line and it turns to the resize cursor, but it is not doing that when you have these double lined columns... It is baffling.

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

122,687 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:15 PM in response to Manfred34

Actually it does on mine. Try turning on the Status Bar from the View menu and see if that helps.

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Answer 7

macjack

Level 10

111,180 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:21 PM in response to Manfred34

Try starting in Safe Mode and see if the problem still occurs?

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

122,687 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:22 PM in response to macjack

Was my next suggestion 😎

OS X El Capitan: Start up in safe mode

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Answer 9

dialabrain

Level 10

122,687 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:30 PM in response to Lanny

Lanny wrote:

The lines are double lines because you have chosen the circled option for always showing the scroll bars, select one of the other 2 choices and you'll get your single lines back.

True but it should work regardless of how the scroll bars are set.

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Answer 10

Manfred34 Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:32 PM in response to dialabrain

Nope, didn't work either. Tried actually customizing the toolbar and adding the Flexible Space Button and can't even add it.

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Answer 11

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:33 PM in response to dialabrain

The adjustment area is here:

This stuff is not new.

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Answer 12

den.thed

Level 9

77,506 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:34 PM in response to Manfred34

To adjust the Column widths, go down to the bottom of the Finder panel and use the little II symbol.

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Answer 13

Manfred34 Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:35 PM in response to Lanny

Nope, checked General preferences and this is what is selected:

Did not actually see the marked lines at the bottom of the columns. Still, my Finder window in Column view does not usually show these "double-lined" scroll bars. If I scroll, it automatically shows the scroll bar, like it is showing in the General preferences....

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Answer 14

dialabrain

Level 10

122,687 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:35 PM in response to Lanny

Yes I know. 😝

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Answer 15

macjack

Level 10

111,180 points

Apr 22, 2016 6:38 PM in response to dialabrain

dialabrain wrote:

Lanny wrote:

The lines are double lines because you have chosen the circled option for always showing the scroll bars, select one of the other 2 choices and you'll get your single lines back.

True but it should work regardless of how the scroll bars are set.

It does work but it's difficult to hover over the little, bitty lines at the very bottom of the column.

This one had me going because I assumed it was a Finder pref, rather than a General pref. Now I know why rebuilding the Finder prefs didn't work!

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