Level 1

14 points

How to paste a folder into a different folder?

I like to have finder views set to 'list'. If I copy a folder from one location, how can I paste it to make a copy into a different folder that already has some folders in it? In icon view I can usually position the mouse to some empty space in the open folder where I want it. In list view there is no 'empty' space and everywhere I might try to paste would land inside some other folder. Am I missing some obvious way to copy a folder to a new location?

Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Dec 22, 2017 9:44 PM

Top-ranking reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Posted on Dec 23, 2017 7:41 AM

Your difficulty arrises because of the way List view works.

The topmost folder (the one who's name is in the title bar) is the "target" of any paste action.

The target is not any folder you have selected in the hierarchy.

It is easier to drag and drop than copy and paste, but if you want to continue to copy and paste, open the desired target in its own window, then paste.

View in context

77 replies

Mac_slide

Level 3

623 points

Dec 23, 2017 9:01 AM in response to dialabrain

PALM FACE

AS expected, perfectly and exactly.

LesMikesell Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 23, 2017 11:58 AM in response to John Galt

Drag it to a white space. It works.

Back to the original problem. There is no white space in a list view full of folders.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,971 points

Dec 23, 2017 12:01 PM in response to Barney-15E

Good luck. 😎

LesMikesell Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 23, 2017 2:49 PM in response to Barney-15E

Still seems odd that the space exists as a target for a 'drop' action but not for a right-mouse paste which visually seems like the same thing.

xmetienne

Level 2

192 points

Dec 23, 2017 3:12 PM in response to LesMikesell

Here there,

It looks like you need a few Mac basic tips...

New to Mac - Official Apple Support

Let me know if it was of any help and did the trick...

Good luck 😎

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Dec 23, 2017 4:18 PM in response to LesMikesell

Speaking of consistency, as it seems you are the expert, how do I drag and drop in Windows consistently without the file dropping off the cursor before I get it to the destination?

John Galt

Level 10

155,420 points

Dec 23, 2017 4:38 PM in response to LesMikesell

Really? The first thing I do with any Mac is turn “tap to click” on. Can’t even use one in an Apple Store until I do that.

I'm petitioning to make it the default setting.

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Dec 23, 2017 4:38 PM in response to John Galt

John Galt wrote:

Really? The first thing I do with any Mac is turn “tap to click” on. Can’t even use one in an Apple Store until I do that.

😂

Same.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,971 points

Dec 23, 2017 8:45 PM in response to LesMikesell

That's hardly what you said. I can't speak for anyone else but this has gotten old.

Have a good Christmas.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,971 points

Dec 23, 2017 7:39 AM in response to LesMikesell

What you need to do is, after you "Copy" the folder you want to move, Select the folder you want to copy it into, right-click on that folder and choose "Paste Item". If there is a folder with the same name you will see this…

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Dec 23, 2017 11:44 AM in response to LesMikesell

Yes, I see the parent folder name in the window title, but right-clicking there does not offer 'paste' as a choice in the context menu.

You don't right-click. You just paste.

The option to right-click and paste offered by dialabrain is a method of establishing the Active folder. The one you right-click is the active folder. However, if you have multiple selected, it is not the active folder.

LesMikesell Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 23, 2017 12:25 PM in response to dialabrain

No. If you insist on using the mouse, select any non-folder and Select "Paste Item" from the Finder "Edit" menu. Otherwise, yes, it's impossible.

But the problem from the beginning is that there is no non-folder place to put the mouse - sometimes. So I guess it's not just me.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,971 points

Dec 23, 2017 12:30 PM in response to LesMikesell

LesMikesell wrote:

But the problem from the beginning is that there is no non-folder place to put the mouse - sometimes. So I guess it's not just me.

Well if you insist on using the mouse while in List Mode because you don't want to learn any keyboard shortcuts, or use Column or Icon View, then yes, I would say it is just you.

LesMikesell Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 23, 2017 2:30 PM in response to John Galt

My file names fill the space you are dropping in. But now I see that if the window is wide enough to have the blank 'size' column showing for the sub-folders I can drop there. However I still can't right-click paste there because it selects the line as a side effect.

John Galt

Level 10

155,420 points

Dec 22, 2017 10:08 PM in response to Niel

I just option-drag which creates a copy in the destination folder. There is probably a way to copy and paste but it seems like too much work.

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How to paste a folder into a different folder?