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Finder > Column View > Column Widths

J

JoelBC

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 16, 2012
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A few things to start:

1. I know how to set finder so that it always opens in column view

2. I know that by double clicking on the "column line" the width of the column will expand to display the name of the widest file / folder in the column

Questions\: Is there a way to configure / setup finder so that the column widths always display the name of the widest file / folder in the column?

Thank you.
 
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JoelBC said:
A few things to start:

1. I know how to set finder so that it always opens in column view

2. I know that by double clicking on the "column line" the width of the column will expand to display the name of the widest file / folder in the column

Questions\: Is there a way to configure / setup finder so that the column widths always display the name of the widest file / folder in the column?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

AFAIK only with third party Finder alternative apps like Path Finder, Forklift etc
 
@Mike Boreham , appreciate the response noting that is what I was afraid of. That said, I was hoping that there was some terminal command that I could invoke.

Thank you.
 
@brerlappin Appreciate the suggestion, I will give it a try.

@Mike Boreham I will also give a finder alternative a try. I researched it and t appears the top three contenders are Commander One, Fork Lift and Path Finder. Which do you recommend and why?

Thank you.
 
brerlappin said:
The new version of TinkerTool 10 should work.

  • Added new Finder setting to let the widths of columns in column display mode automatically adapt to the listed file names.

TinkerTool: What's new?

TinkerTool version history
www.bresink.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for this hint.

Since TinkerTool only set macOS preferences, there should be a Terminal command.
Can someone please post this command?
 
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@brerlappin,

I am considering trying TinkerTool and have two quick questions:

1. If / when I install TinkerTool will it change any of the my existing settings (i.e., does TinkerTool have default settings that override my existing settings) or, as I hope is the case, it maintains / respects my existing settings and "shows" them in its panels?

2. What is the difference between TinkerTool and TinkerTool System?

Thank you.
 
JoelBC said:
@Mike Boreham I will also give a finder alternative a try. I researched it and t appears the top three contenders are Commander One, Fork Lift and Path Finder. Which do you recommend and why?

Thank you
Click to expand...
Have a read of this ongoing thread
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-finder-alternative.2258057/

Answer is a very personal choice. The one I have most experience with and like best is Path Finder, with which I have had a love hate relationship for years. It is a total Finder replacement different and better in many many ways than Finder. Much more than just column width solution which Tinkertool 10 prob is. I have sometimes used PF for months then some bug forces me back to Finder.
I have limited experience with Forklift but never got on with it though many people have gone to it from Path Finder.
Qspace Pro looks like an extremely powerful complete Finder replacement well worth a look. It may well be the best.
 
@Mike Boreham Appreciated, I agree that TinkerTools will address my column worth desire without being a replacement. I will take a look at Space noting I am currently leaning towards Command One because everything I have read about Path Finder suggests that the configuration options are overwhelming. Comments / thoughts?

I appreciate you providing the link to the thread which I previously saw. Although ut is somewhat dated (started 4 years ago) , I will dig in.
 
JoelBC said:
@brerlappin,

I am considering trying TinkerTool and have two quick questions:

1. If / when I install TinkerTool will it change any of the my existing settings (i.e., does TinkerTool have default settings that override my existing settings) or, as I hope is the case, it maintains / respects my existing settings and "shows" them in its panels?

2. What is the difference between TinkerTool and TinkerTool System?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Tinkertool should not change existing settings but has (or had last time I used it) the ability to revert everything to Apple default.
Tinkertool System is completely different and is a very powerful front end for a very powerful set of system management maintenance and repair tools.
Plain Tinkertool enables a wide range of settings to be tweaked.
I didn't know Tinkertool 10 had column width control so going to have a look.
 
Mike Boreham said:
Tinkertool should not change existing settings but has (or had last time I used it) the ability to revert everything to Apple default.
Tinkertool System is completely different and is a very powerful front end for a very powerful set of system management maintenance and repair.
Plain Tinkertool enables a wide range of settings to be tweaked.
I didn't know Tinkertool 10 had column width control so going to have a look.
Click to expand...

Appreciated and thank you!
 
JoelBC said:
@Mike Boreham Appreciated, I agree that TinkerTools will address my column worth desire without being a replacement. I will take a look at Space noting I am currently leaning towards Command One because everything I have read about Path Finder suggests that the configuration options are overwhelming. Comments / thoughts?
Click to expand...
Makes sense if column width is your only goal.
if you think Path Finder has too many options don't bother looking at QSpace Pro!
 
Mike Boreham said:
Makes sense if column width is your only goal.
if you think Path Finder has too many options don't bother looking at QSpace Pro!
Click to expand...
Appreciated.

Personally I have no view on the number of Path Finder options and whether they are / are not overwhelming as I have not tried it. This is simply a comment that is related in many reviews. Will look at both.

The dual pain window IS very appealing.

Thank you.
 
JoelBC said:
2. I know that by double clicking on the "column line" the width of the column will expand to display the name of the widest file / folder in the column

Questions\: Is there a way to configure / setup finder so that the column widths always display the name of the widest file / folder in the column?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
If you hold down the Alt-button while double clicking the column width button, then all columns will match the widest file/folder in each column for the present view. Unfortunately it is never saved, but at least it makes things a bit easier when you are deep in nested folders.
 
JoelBC said:
Appreciated.

Personally I have no view on the number of Path Finder options and whether they are / are not overwhelming as I have not tried it. This is simply a comment that is related in many reviews. Will look at both.

The dual pain window IS very appealing.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
All the Finder alternatives mentioned have dual pane capability.
 
@Mike Boreham I will give them all try.

Is there a disadvantage to Commander One that only has dual pane view?

Is there any suggested order.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
JoelBC said:
@Mike Boreham I will give them all try.

Is there a disadvantage to Commander One that only has dual pane view?

Is there any suggested order.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
I have only briefly tried Commander One. My recollection is that I thought it had a very dated appearance, but there was something specific which it didn't have which was important to me but can't recall what it was.

I have installed Tinkertool 10 on my two Macs thanks to this thread!
 
@Mike Boreham I tried Commander one it not for me because i) it did not maintain the columns widths in column view and ii) it displayed my iCloud drive 4 times (I could not figure out why).

Interested in your views on TinhrTool 10 when you have a minute.

Will try Path Finder next!
 
JoelBC said:
Agreed, it is simple and does what I need it to do! I might just stick with this as it is simple and does not require an investment in time but will still try Path Finder!
Click to expand...
I am finding that occasionally Tinkertool does not size correctly on first opening a folder with longer names. I have to click away and click back.
 
Mike Boreham said:
I am finding that occasionally Tinkertool does not size correctly on first opening a folder with longer names. I have to click away and click back.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I have noticed this mainly when accessing my iCloud drive. Is this similar to your observations?
 
Mike Boreham said:
Yes. I was looking at files in iCloud Drive, but not sure that is relevant as my iCloud Drive is all downloaded.
Click to expand...
I wrote the developer and asked him to investigate and fix this. I will share any update I get from him.

Slammed over the next day or two but will get to Path Finder over the weekend.
 
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