canadia

Q: Cut & Paste in Finder

Can somebody explain how to use cut and paste in macOS Sierra? I'm new to the Mac and used to things like working shortcuts and menu options. On Ubuntu the keyboard shortcut is Ctrl-X to cut, Ctrl-V to paste. Or right-click in the finder and choose "Cut" or "Paste" as needed.

 

I'm trying to move a folder of music files from ~/Music to ~/Downloads. It's just plain old music files. I created them and have all the permissions.

 

On my iMac and MacBook the usual cut and paste methods don't work at all. Command-X gives a bing-bing sound, right-click gives a greyed-out menu with Cut and Paste made inaccessible.

 

Is there a secret or trick to making it cut and paste or am I doomed to copy/paste and delete every time I want to move a folder or file?

iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12), null

Posted on Sep 30, 2016 10:23 AM

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Q: Cut & Paste in Finder

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Sep 30, 2016 10:24 AM in response to canadia
    Level 10 (313,545 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 30, 2016 10:24 AM in response to canadia

    Cutting files and folders is disabled in the Finder to prevent accidental data loss. Press the Option key when pasting to move them.

     

    (145012)

  • by PATRICKMELE,

    PATRICKMELE PATRICKMELE Sep 30, 2016 10:27 AM in response to canadia
    Level 3 (904 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 30, 2016 10:27 AM in response to canadia

    I Use Drag and drop method.....macOS Sierra: Drag and drop items

  • by canadia,

    canadia canadia Oct 2, 2016 7:34 PM in response to PATRICKMELE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:34 PM in response to PATRICKMELE

    This doesn't help at all because I have hundreds of folders and it takes ages to drag and drop with all the tedious scrolling. I'm using the new Trackpad 2.0 which is finicky and often lets go too soon, then my folders move to the wrong place.

  • by canadia,

    canadia canadia Oct 2, 2016 7:48 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:48 PM in response to Niel

    Cut/paste should never introduce data loss. It's only meant to move files around.

     

    The problem is that the Cut option exists in the Edit menu in Finder but is greyed out. Beside the option is shows the splat-X shortcut. Surely that option and shortcut exist for a reason? Since holding the Option key doesn't make it clickable I can only assume there is a malfunction in the system.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Oct 2, 2016 7:51 PM in response to canadia
    Level 10 (313,545 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:51 PM in response to canadia

    It exists for cutting text, not files and folders. The method of pressing Option is done when pasting, not when copying or trying to cut.

     

    (145075)

  • by canadia,

    canadia canadia Oct 2, 2016 8:02 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 8:02 PM in response to Niel

    I didn't know the Finder could be used as a text editor. This is getting curioser and curioser.

     

    Anyway, it seems that the primary purpose of the Finder is to manage files/folders. The Cut shortcut and menu item should work as they do on any other system, considering that these things are there in plain sight waiting to be used. It's bizarre to think that I can only cut text within the Finder's obscure text editor, whereas files and folders cannot be moved without knowing secret key combos.

     

    Until Apple notices and fixes this bug I'll stick to the Terminal for managing files and directories. Thanks for trying to help.