Keyboard Shortcuts for Finder Windows in macOS

These keyboard shortcuts can speed up your workflow

By
Tom Nelson
Tom Nelson
Writer

Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others. Tom is also president of Coyote Moon, Inc., a Macintosh and Windows consulting firm.

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Updated on June 24, 2021

The Finder is your window into the Mac file system. The system works well with a mouse or trackpad, but you can also control it directly from the keyboard. The keyboard has the advantage of allowing you to navigate through the Finder and interact with devices, files, and folders, all without taking your fingers off the keys.

These keyboard shortcuts apply to all versions of macOS and most OS X versions with only a few exceptions.

Mac keyboard with iMac
David Paul Morris / Stringer / Getty Images

Keyboard Shortcuts for the Mac Finder

Keyboard shortcuts for the Finder can streamline how you work and play with your Mac. However, keyboard shortcuts are a combination of two or more keys that, when pressed at the same time, perform a specific function, such as pressing the Command key and the W key to close the frontmost Finder window. It's unlikely you'll be able to memorize all the shortcuts.

Even if you only learn the shortcuts for the actions you often perform, you'll increase your productivity and save time. If you long to be a shortcut ninja, print these charts and start studying.

File and Window-Related Shortcuts

The following commands will help you use the Finder, including opening files, creating new windows, and getting information on items.

Keys Description
Command+N New Finder window
Shift+Command+N New folder
Option+Command+N New Smart Folder
Control+Command+N New folder containing selected item
Command+O Open selected item
Command+T New tab
Shift+Command+T Show/Hide a Finder tab
Command+W Close window
Option+Command+W Close all Finder windows
Command+I Show Get Info for the selected item
Command+D Duplicate the selected file(s)
Control+Command+A Make an alias of the selected item
Control+Option+Command+A Show original for the selected alias
Command+R Rotate an image 90 degrees right
Command+L Rotate an image 90 degrees left
Command+Y Quick Look the selected item
Command+P Print the selected item
Control+Command+T Add the selected item to the sidebar
Control+Shift+Command+T Add the selected item to the Dock
Command+Delete Move the selected item to Trash
Command+F Open Spotlight Search
Command+E Eject the selected device
Command+Click window title Show the path to the current folder

Finder Viewing Options

The shortcuts in this table affect the Finder appearance. You can also use them to get around folders and subfolders and change the view.

Keys Description
Command+1 View as icons
Command+2 View as a list
Command+3 View as a column
Command+4 View as cover flow or as gallery view
Shift+Command+P Show or hide the preview pane
Right Arrow Expands the highlighted folder (list view)
Left Arrow Collapses the highlighted folder (list view)
Option+Command+Right Expands the highlighted folder and all subfolders
Command+Down Opens the selected folder
Command+Up Returns to the enclosing folder
Control+Command+0 Toggles groups
Control+Command+1 Group by name
Control+Command+2 Group by kind
Control+Command+3 Group by date last opened
Control+Command+4 Group by date added
Control+Command+5 Group by date modified
Control+Command+6 Group by size
Control+Command+7 Group by tags
Command+J Show view options
Option+Command+P Show or hide the path bar
Option+Command+S Show or hide the sidebar
Command+/ (forward slash) Show or hide the status bar
Shift+Command+T Show or hide the tab bar
Shift+Command+\ (backslash) Show all tabs
Control+Command+F Enter or leave full screen

Cover Flow was removed from the Mac Finder beginning with macOS Mojave (10.14) and replaced with Gallery View.

Quick Ways to Navigate in the Finder

Use these keyboard commands to navigate around windows, special locations, and other areas in the Finder.

Keys Description
Command+[ (left bracket) Go back to the previous location
Command+] (right bracket) Go forward to the next location
Shift+Command+A Open the Applications folder
Shift+Command+C Open the Computer window
Shift+Command+D Open the Desktop folder
Shift+Command+F Open Recent Files window
Shift+Command+G Open Go to Folder command
Shift+Command+H Open the Home folder
Shift+Command+I Open the iCloud Drive folder
Shift+Command+K Open Network window
Option+Command+L Open Downloads folder
Shift+Command+O Open Documents folder
Shift+Command+R Open AirDrop window
Shift+Command+U Open Utilities folder
Command+K Open Connect to Server window

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Disadvantage of Using Keyboard Shortcuts With the Finder

The disadvantage of using keyboard shortcuts with the Finder is that remembering all the Finder keyboard shortcuts is quite an undertaking, especially for shortcuts that you rarely use. Instead, it's best to pick out a few that you'll use all the time. Some commonly used shortcuts to add to your arsenal might include the various Finder viewing options.

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