Is there a way to select multiple ranges or lists of files in the Finder in Mac OS X?

7

2

In Windows, if I had a list of items numbered 1 through 20, I could select items 1-5 and 15-20 by pressing ctrl-shift, clicking 1, clicking 5, holding ctrl but releasing shift, clicking 15, re-pressing shift, and clicking 20. (At least I think I have that sequence right--it's been so long I'm not sure.)

I am aware that I can use command-drag to select multiple ranges in the Finder, but I would prefer to be able to do this as it is done in Windows, if there is such a way. In other words, I just want a mechanical way of specifying ranges to select by first and last item in the list, not by having to drag through each file. With apologies for the bad pun, dragging is a drag b/c I can scroll to the last item in a list far faster than I can wait for the Finder to realize that I want it to scroll down as I hold the pointer at the bottom of the window and then have to adjust as it drags too far etc.

Philip

Posted 2010-02-13T23:18:40.143

Reputation: 1 103

Answers

12

To select like this:

alt text

Do the following:

  1. Select item 3
  2. While holding shift, select item 5
  3. Release shift and while holding cmd select item 8
  4. Release cmd and while holding shift again select item 11

You will have 3 to 5 and 8 to 11 selected.

Kami

Posted 2010-02-13T23:18:40.143

Reputation: 3 108

you might want to revise step 2. otherwise it could get messy. – akf – 2010-02-13T23:25:02.513

You're right, it looks better now ! – Kami – 2010-02-13T23:31:49.113

Seems like a good idea but it doesn't work!

  1. Done
  2. So far so good
  3. So far so good (3 to 5 and 8 selected)
  4. Now it selects all the items from 3 to 11.

I'm running 10.5--are you on 10.6? Maybe this is a new feature? Or is there a setting somewhere? – Philip – 2010-02-14T03:53:31.457

Works for me. Cheers – nevan king – 2010-02-14T12:23:38.550

I've asked a friend who is under Leopard -> IT DOES NOT WORK UNDER 10.5 ! – Kami – 2010-02-14T14:39:53.687

Oh. One more reason for me to stop being lazy and upgrade. Thanks! – Philip – 2010-02-14T14:42:37.427

I am now running SL and you are correct, it works perfectly. Thanks! – Philip – 2010-04-20T16:35:36.913

Since 10.6, it's more relevant than ever. Before, one could "drag" across all item rows in the second group while holding Cmd to select them; now this starts a drag operation – Daniel Beck – 2011-09-29T05:06:47.497

Asked: 2010-02-13T23:18:40.143

Viewed: 3 154 times

Active: 2013-05-26T23:59:22.783