> Markdown version of [/magazine/541-finder-tips-and-tricks-upgrade-your-workflow-on-macos](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/541-finder-tips-and-tricks-upgrade-your-workflow-on-macos). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Finder Tips and Tricks: Upgrade Your Workflow on macOS **By:** [Daniel Cranney](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@daniel-cranney) **Published:** January 31, 2025 If you’ve seen any of our [previous tips and tricks articles](/magazine/493-tips-and-tricks-working-with-json), you’ll know that we share shortcuts, tools and tips to help developers speed up their workflow. This time, we’re turning our attention to a tool no macOS user could go without: Finder. Finder might seem like a simple file manager, but it’s packed with hidden features and shortcuts that can seriously boost your productivity. So without further ado, let’s get into it! ## 1. Batch Rename Files It cannot be overstated how many long-time Mac users don’t realise you can rename multiple files in one go, with Finder. This is particularly handy when you find yourself adding sequential numbers to related files (“…-01.jpg”, “…-02.jpg”, for example), or tidying up files with inconsistent naming conventions. - **Select the files** you want to rename. - Right-click one and choose **Rename**. - Use the options to **replace text** , **add text** , or create a **format** like “File 001, File 002”. **Tip:** Press **Command (⌘) + A** to select all files in a folder for batch renaming. ## 2. Toggle Hidden Files Instantly There are often many files in any given folder that you can see by default. You can toggle them on or off, along with .env’s and any other files using a full-stop/period prefix (eg: .cache, .ngrok). - Open Finder. - Press **Command (⌘) + Shift (⇧) + Period (.)** to show or hide hidden files. ## 3. De-Clutter Your Desktop Stop cluttering your desktop with multiple Finder windows, and switch to using tabs instead. ### Merge Windows With multiple windows open, go to **Window \> Merge All Windows** in the menu bar. ![merge all windows](https://wearedevelopers.imgix.net//magazine/articles/541/images/content/grAWROapC0OjpzkLtTz5-1738071071.jpeg?w=200&auto=format) This brings all open Finder windows into one neat tabbed view. Unfortunately there’s no shortcut for this, but it’ll get you set for the next step. ### Switch Between Tabs You can navigate between tabs without the mouse-clicks needed for windows, with some simple shortcuts: - Press **Command (⌘) + T** to open a new Finder tab. - Switch between tabs using: - **Control (^) + Tab** to go to the next tab. - **Control (^) + Shift (⇧) + Tab** to go to the previous tab. ## 4. Set a Default Finder Window Every time you open Finder, it doesn’t have to show the same boring default location. You can customize it to open your most-used folder. - Open Finder and go to **Finder \> Preferences** in the menu bar. - Under the General tab, select your preferred folder under “New Finder windows show:”. **Tip:** Choose your Downloads folder or a frequently used project folder for quicker access. ## 5. Resize Columns to Fit Contents If you are working files buried deep in nested folders, it can quickly become difficult to find the files you’re looking for. Make sure you’ve got the most efficient layout in Column View and resize the columns to the width of the contents. **How to do it:** In **Column View** , hover over the divider between columns. Double-click the divider to auto-adjust the width to fit the longest file name. Shortcut: Press **Option (⌥) + Double-Click** on any divider to resize all columns simultaneously. * * * Be sure to [subscribe to the Dev Digest](https://wearedevelopers.com/devdigest) so you stay up to date with what’s happening in the WeAreDevelopers community, to get notified about our latest articles and content, events, news and lots more. ## Related Articles - [5 Underrated Things You Can Do with Preview and QuickTime on Mac](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/612-5-underrated-things-you-can-do-with-preview-and-quicktime-on-mac) - [Top 7 Software Development Workflow Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/325-top-7-software-development-workflow-tips-i-wish-i-knew-earlier) - [GitHub’s Hidden Keyboard Shortcuts to Boost Your Productivity](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/651-github-s-hidden-keyboard-shortcuts-to-boost-your-productivity) - [The Overflow: 4 Tools for Fast File Sharing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/697-the-overflow-4-tools-for-fast-file-sharing) ## Related Videos - [Developer Time Is Valuable - Use the Right Tools - Kilian Valkhof](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1792-developer-time-is-valuable-use-the-right-tools-kilian-valkhof) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - Yes, CSS Can Do That!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1819-wearedevelopers-live-yes-css-can-do-that) - [Practical tips for keeping your C# code base clean](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100149-practical-tips-for-keeping-your-c-code-base-clean) - [But, you're not Facebook](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/378-but-you-re-not-facebook) ## Related Jobs - [IT System Administrator](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/48290-it-system-administrator) at **Sensory-Minds GmbH** - [iOS Engineer, Swift/SwiftUI/Combine (B2C Broker)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1611832-ios-engineer-swift-swiftui-combine-b2c-broker) at **Bitpanda** - [Founding Mobile Engineer (iOS)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1648532-founding-mobile-engineer-ios) at **Almedia** - [Remote Senior Full-Stack Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/683045-remote-senior-full-stack-engineer) at **Edge Impulse** - [Engineering Manager (Fusion Experience)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1669281-engineering-manager-fusion-experience) at **Bitpanda** - [Remote Senior Full-Stack Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/645320-remote-senior-full-stack-engineer) at **Edge Impulse**