seeing whole filename

Question

Level 1

13 points

seeing whole filename

Two questions related to seeing an entire filename.

(1) When using the finder, the column view is most useful to me, because I like to see "where I am" at a glance. Some of my lower-level folders have the same name so I need to see the context. Also, my mind just thinks that way. It's a smooth working process for me to see context, while a view of a single folder without context interrupts my process and forces me to stop and think.

But, very often the entire folder or filename doesn't fit in the finder. I know I can resize the columns, but I need to minimize my mouse usage or else I get repetitive strain injury, and resizing every time is a pain.

It seems to me the easiest solution would be some kind of mode in which the finder automatically sizes each column to display the entire file/folder name, without any action needed on my part.

(2) There are several contexts in which the Finder or other windows won't display the entire file name. It truncates it by removing the middle of the name. I understand that *sometimes* I can't see the entire name, but I find the "truncate middle" thing confusing. It's hard to read at a glance. Maybe I just need to get used to it, but I would like the option to see the first part of name, as much as fits, and get rid of the end of the name, if something has to be removed. Is this an option?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 2, 2016 12:03 PM

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Answer 1

mike1127 Author

Level 1

13 points

Aug 2, 2016 3:04 PM in response to Eric Root

It doesn't help to have to click on every unknown file, or hover the mouse over it. I need to see the whole list of files in a folder, all filenames fully visible.

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Answer 2

mike1127 Author

Level 1

13 points

Aug 2, 2016 12:51 PM in response to leroydouglas

First, that's not a solution. I need to see the entire filename without any action on my part. This needs to happen automatically when I create new folders or add new files with longer filenames than the existing files.

Second, what would be a PARTIAL solution would be to resize JUST ONE COLUMN, and have it PERMANENTLY REMEMBER that size. As far as I can tell, Option-drag resizes all columns. Not right. If a column contains only short filenames it needs to stay narrow.

Third, for some reason Option-drag does nothing for me. Not that it would be a solution if it did, but for some reason it does nothing different than dragging.

Full screen mode is not a solution. First, it requires action on my part to go full screen and later exit full screen. Second, I need to see multiple Finder windows at once.

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Answer 3

DP NT

Level 1

15 points

Jun 13, 2017 7:00 AM in response to mike1127

TO "mike1127"Thanks for trying to raise this issue again (I've seen it before inother threads). You have stated this so clearly. I know exactly what you mean when you say:

- "the column view is most useful to me, because I like to see "where I am" at a glance" (as you say: 'context'), and

"the easiest solution would be some kind of mode in which the finder automatically sizes each column to display the entire file/folder name, without any action needed on my part", and:

"I need to see multiple Finder windows at once".

I wish I had the answers, but don't! SO I use 'Xtrafinder' software but don't normally like installing third-party things in my system.

As some else said here:

"Has nobody in Silicon Valley figured out that constantly resizing Finder windows is annoying? If the Xtra Finder programmers have, how come Apple has not?"

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Answer 4

May 2, 2017 2:07 PM in response to mike1127

How about an option to "Show complete filenames"? Has nobody in Silicon Valley figured out that constantly resizing Finder windows is annoying? If the Xtra Finder programmers have, how come Apple has not? Xtra Finder just quit working for me, fyi.

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Answer 5

Rysz

Level 8

44,443 points

Aug 2, 2016 1:06 PM in response to mike1127

I know I can resize the columns, but I need to minimize my mouse usage or else I get repetitive strain injury, and resizing every time is a pain.

You only need to resize the column once. Finder will remember your customized size forever after in that window.

If it's an occasional need, simply resting the pointer on the foreshortened file will display the full, expanded name in a manner similar to a tool tip.

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Answer 6

Aug 2, 2016 12:46 PM in response to mike1127

It seems to me the easiest solution would be some kind of mode in which the finder automatically sizes each column to display the entire file/folder name, without any action needed on my part.

Did you try holding the option key, and drag you the Finder name column to your desired size—this effects all Finder windows in column view.

Also: https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/option-key-resize-finder-columns/

Using Finder in Full screen mode always has an effect as well as in fully expanded mode (option key green button)

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Answer 7

May 2, 2017 2:02 PM in response to mike1127

SO annoying to name a file and not be able to find it without fiddling with the **** mouse because some smartass decided that x number of characters are superfluous. Shouldn't the user be able to edit their own file names? I do not need a nanny!!

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Answer 8

Jun 14, 2017 9:47 AM in response to tygb

The issue is NOT with filename extensions. The issue is that many people find that it is inconvenient to have the complete file names hidden in Finder windows. Should a user prefer to see an edited version of their file names in Finder windows, the view is that the user should be free to choose such an option rather than having the computer elect to edit the file name by default. One would think that it is common sense that if a user uses 30 characters to name a file or a series of files, the full names would be displayed by default. Invariably, in such cases the file names appear the same in Finder windows because the software edits the middle sections of file names, replacing them with dots. This seems to occur after about 15 or 20 characters.

To get around this inconvenience there are after market softwares which allow a user to see the full file names in Finder windows. One of the most popular, and apparently the only that ever worked is Xtra Finder. However this software appears to be incompatible with Sierra, the latest OS for Apple computers, despite the fact that it was compatible with previous OS software.

Apple?? Hello??

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