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.

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77 replies

dialabrain

Level 10

135,971 points

Dec 23, 2017 8:09 AM in response to Mac_slide

The OP is in List view. You are using Column view.

dialabrain

Level 10

135,971 points

Dec 23, 2017 1:37 PM in response to John Galt

To be fair, it is possible to have a folder with no white space. I just created one and it's on a 27" screen. It would be much more likely on a laptop.

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How to paste a folder into a different folder?