This tutorial shows you how to set default column width on Mac. OS X gives you different ways to look at folders. You can choose from list view, column view, Cover Flow, and icon view by clicking the right button on the Finder toolbar. The arrow keys make it easy to move around the filesystem in column view, which is one of the most popular views.
Even though this view is useful, the default column width may be too small for the file and folder names you use. This means that when you move through your files, a lot of names will be cut off or shortened. If you are like us, having to keep changing the size of the columns in Finder in OS X on your Mac may be a bit annoying.
You might think that Apple would have built in automatic sizing or resizing based on the length of the file names in the directory, but it doesn’t. You can also go to the official Mac support site to know more information.
How to set default column width on Mac
Changing the default column size is easy, and if you want to set the default column size for Column View in Finder of MacOS and Mac OS X, all you have to do is hover the mouse cursor over the column dividers of a Finder window and hold down the Option key while dragging the columns to the width or size you want.
- Holding down the Option key while resizing will make this the new default for Column Views in the Mac Finder.
- If you’re tired of the Column view on the Mac resizing itself or being reset, this is the solution you’re looking for, since it will lock as the default column width and column size.
- This works in all versions of MacOS and Mac OS X that support Column View, and it’s not the most obvious thing in the world, but it’s easy to remember. If you use column view in Finder, give this a try. You’ll find it very useful. And yes, you have to be in Finder Column View for this to work. It doesn’t work in any of the other Finder views because there is no divider to set the width of and align with.
- Note that the Option/ALT key trick is designed for most keyboards and a US keyboard set. However, some users may find that the Command key works instead, depending on their keyboard layout and country settings.
FAQ
How do I change column width in Excel for Mac?
Choose the columns whose widths you want to change. 2. Go to Format > Column > AutoFit Selection (Figure 68) or Format > Column > AutoFit (Figure 69). or Figure 65: Double-click on the edge to the right of the column heading or below the row heading.
How do I change the default Finder on my Mac?
- To open the preferences, click the Finder icon and then press Cmd + Comma (,).
- Click the drop-down menu below New Finder windows show on the General tab.
- Choose a suggested folder, such as Desktop, Documents, or iCloud Drive.
How do I change size column to fit permanently?
If you want to change this setting, you have to choose “view as details” and then right-click on the line that has the name, the date it was last changed, etc. You can set Size all columns to fit at the top of the file. You can make it work for all folders of this kind by going to Options > View.
What is the shortcut to auto column width in Excel for Mac?
You will still use COMMAND+SHIFT+A to fit columns automatically. The main difference is that you use Mac Excel’s own settings to define keyboard shortcuts instead of your general Mac OS settings.