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MacOS has a number of extremely useful features that you may not be aware of. Smart Folders is a feature of this type. You Create Smart Folders on Mac will continuously update them as files that meet the specified criteria are created or saved.
Allow me to illustrate with an example. Suppose you create and save a large number of documents with various applications, and you need a folder that facilitates quick access to these files. Smart folders will automatically organize and display these files, removing the need for you to manually save them in a specific location.
Smart folders allow you to be even more specific. Consider that you frequently create, save, and open documents containing the word Recipe. You could create a smart folder for this purpose. When you open the folder, you will see all of your documents containing the word Recipe. That is quite useful.
Steps to Create Smart Folders on Mac
- In the Finder on your Mac, choose File > New Smart Folder.
- Specify the criteria.
- Set the first rule: In the search field, enter a topic, a phrase, a date or another characteristic of the files you want listed in your Smart Folder, then choose from the suggestions that appear below the search field. Refine your search by clicking the pop-up menu in the search field.
- Add a rule: Click the Add button below the search field, then set the rule using the search attribute pop-up menus. See the complete list of attributes by clicking Other in the first pop-up menu.
- Click Save, then enter a name and location for your Smart Folder. If you don’t want your Smart Folder to be in the sidebar, deselect Add To Sidebar. You can’t use certain characters, including punctuation such as a colon (:), in folder names. If an error message appears, try using another name.
What Is a Smart Folder?
Surprisingly, a Mac Smart Folder is not in fact a folder. It’s a search that has been saved. However, macOS displays these saved searches as folders to make them more accessible. You select a property or series of properties when you create a Smart Folder. macOS then scans all of your files and displays everything that matches in a single folder, regardless of where the files are stored.
FAQ
How do I add files to my Smart Folder on Mac?
In the Mac Finder, select File > New Smart Folder. Specify the requirements. Make the initial rule: Enter a topic, a phrase, a date, or another characteristic of the files you wish to include in your Smart Folder in the search field, then select from the suggestions that appear below the search field.
How do Apple smart folders work?
- Tap. , choose an account (if you have more than one), enter a name, then tap Make Into Smart Folder.
- Choose one or more filters, then choose to include notes matching any or all of the selected filters. You can filter by tags, dates, mentions, and more.