OS X Workflow: Save a Click When Using Stacks

Posted on May 1st, 2008 by BittBox

We all love those little tips that save us a click or two, and I’ve got another one for you. For those of you on a Mac, you might remember how I showed you a faster way to install Photoshop brushes. This little click saver is pretty much the same thing. Details after the jump.

Before I begin, yes, I’m one of those “side dock guys,” it’s just what I prefer. Anyway, If you’re like me, you like to keep your desktop tidy and as clutter-free as possible. I didn’t like Stacks when they first arrived with Leopard, but now that we have list view, I find them much more useful.

When you use stacks, you might want to use the “Open in Finder” option to navigate directly to your folder in order to drag/copy files, or whatever. I do all the time.

OS X Workflow: Save a Click When Using Stacks

If you want to save a click, just Command + Click on the Stack itself, and Finder will automatically open your Stack for you to browse! That’s it!

OS X Workflow: Save a Click When Using Stacks

Gotta love saving a click. They really do add up over time ;)

OS X Workflow: Save a Click When Using Stacks

David Sparks, on May 1st, 2008 at 11:22 am

I’ve been a PC user all my life and I’m now saving up to get a Mac as well as starting a new job monday where i’ll be working on macs. i know almost nothing about them and how to accomplish most of the common tasks i fly through in PC land.

so feel free to do a whole post on stuff like this. I’m dreading the time im going to lose from just shortcuts and keystrokes i do without thought alone.

Thanks for the tip!
Toby, on May 1st, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Hi David. Actually, I can tell you that once you start using a mac, you’re going to find out that things are actually much easier to use. You can still utilize a lot of the key commands that you are accustomed to in Windows. I would suggest starting off by just going through the menu and looking at the shortcuts next to the commands.

For an internship I did awhile ago, I had to do the exact opposite and learn to design using the Creative Suite on Windows. So, I feel your pain. I promise, after awhile it will seem so easy.

Here’s a good list to get you started:
http://homepage.mac.com/frakes/MOSXPT/content/keyboard.html

One major key command I use a lot is to send items to the trash: just hit command+delete. And then to empty hit shift+command+delete.
pat, on May 1st, 2008 at 12:44 pm

lol.. it may look trivial but it does really save time/click. loving the shortcuts ;)
Mike, on May 1st, 2008 at 4:53 pm

I live off my shortcut keys and any key commands that help me move faster throughout folders, files, etc. Love the tip (and tips from comments). Keep it up!
Matt Noble, on May 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 am

Ive been using this on OS 10.4 for over a year, its really hand for someone coming from windows to have the application folder down there so when u right click on it you basically get a start menu, i dont use it much but its handy
Hay, on May 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 am

Very handy. I was missing that feature since Leopard upgraded to docks, because it was possible in Tiger without a modifier key.
Kristin, on May 5th, 2008 at 6:52 am

this is great! i also just found out a quick way to preview an image within a folder in leopard…when the image is highlighted hit spacebar!
Sketchee, on May 6th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Hey I didn’t know that, learn something new everyday. There’s a lot of stuff hidden in this OS
David Chin, on May 14th, 2008 at 9:26 pm

Super tip!

There might be an OS X bug though. It seems to only work if the folder had previously been opened in columns view.

Anyone else noticed this?