files two folders deep - how to extract to main folder

[KarliRae]

Ok, I'm new to macs, so bear with me. This is such a simple issue I cannot believe I can't figure out how to do it.

Hypothetical situation:
Ok, so let's say I have a folder, "Documents". And within that folder I have another folder "Documents2". Within that folder are all of my documents, let's say 50 files and other folders. Now, what I want to do, is remove the "Documents2" folder while leaving the documents in the "Documents" folder.

The only way I have found to do this is by going into the "Documents2" folder, copying all the files, and pasting them into "Documents" which takes a long time. Then selecting the "Documents2" folder and deleting it (and the files it contains). But that process takes soo long when all I want to do is remove the encapsulation of that unnecessary folder. Does that make sense?

Sorry for my ignorance. And thanks in advance for your help!

Karli-Rae

 

[BlueRevolution]

Open the containing folder (your home folder) in Finder and go to View -> As List. Click the triangle icon beside Documents, then the one beside Documents2. Select everything under Documents2 and drag it onto Documents. You can then delete Documents2.

You can also do this simply by opening two Finder windows.

 

[LurchNC]

Ok, I'm new to macs, so bear with me. This is such a simple issue I cannot believe I can't figure out how to do it.

Hypothetical situation:
Ok, so let's say I have a folder, "Documents". And within that folder I have another folder "Documents2". Within that folder are all of my documents, let's say 50 files and other folders. Now, what I want to do, is remove the "Documents2" folder while leaving the documents in the "Documents" folder.

The only way I have found to do this is by going into the "Documents2" folder, copying all the files, and pasting them into "Documents" which takes a long time. Then selecting the "Documents2" folder and deleting it (and the files it contains). But that process takes soo long when all I want to do is remove the encapsulation of that unnecessary folder. Does that make sense?

Sorry for my ignorance. And thanks in advance for your help!

Karli-Rae

The one thing I don't like about Finder is there is not "cut/paste", only "copy/paste"

To answer your question, it's easiest to use "column view" in finder. Goto your "Documents" folder. Then to your "Documents2" folder. (Should still see "Documents" in the first column). Select all the files in "Documents2" folder. Drag them to "Documents" folder.

This will be instant because you are moving the files on the same drive.

Let me know if that made no sense what-so-ever. lol

Edit:
I thought of something else.
Under "View" choose "Show Path Bar"
This shows you the whole path to the folder you are in (Bottom of Finder window).
You can drag files to any folder in the Path Bar.

 

[KarliRae]

Thanks, that worked!

Wow, thanks so much both of you! Worked great!

 

[KarliRae]

Edit:
I thought of something else.
Under "View" choose "Show Path Bar"
This shows you the whole path to the folder you are in (Bottom of Finder window).
You can drag files to any folder in the Path Bar.

I didn't know about that! Thanks! Any more useful macbits-'o'-honey up your sleeve?
lol

Karli-Rae

 

[LurchNC]

I didn't know about that! Thanks! Any more useful macbits-'o'-honey up your sleeve?
lol

Karli-Rae

If you hold your head just right, you can see a magical unicorn just under the Apple logo.

Here's a good page for the finder:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2470

Tutorials:
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#tutorial=anatomy