How do I expand the save as dialog box?

When naming my files through save as, I run into the problem, that the box is just too tiny to fit in the whole name of my projects. I attached 2 pictures to show that I need to scroll everytime to name my files, which is quite annoying and I couldn't find a fix for it yet. I just want to be able to see the whole file name when saving. Beeing not able to see the whole name leads to the problem of naming files the wrong name, for me.


I hope someone can help me. I can't imagine that there is no fix for this. This is an essential feature for saving files.


Best,

Fabian


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Jul 23, 2022 04:20 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 23, 2022 06:18 AM

Thanks,

I just sent a request for this feature. I'm actually shocked that there is no workaround for this problem. I can only imagine how many people must struggle with this as you really can't type in much without scrolling.


I would appreciate if you could send a request too, as this "feature" would make all of our lives easier.

Similar questions

10 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 23, 2022 06:18 AM in response to jeromyk

Thanks,

I just sent a request for this feature. I'm actually shocked that there is no workaround for this problem. I can only imagine how many people must struggle with this as you really can't type in much without scrolling.


I would appreciate if you could send a request too, as this "feature" would make all of our lives easier.

Jul 30, 2022 03:38 AM in response to VikingOSX

Forcing everyone to use shorter file names, because it’s uncomfortable to save files with longer names just is stupid in my opinion. Not trying to be offensive, but some productions just require longer names.


In the music industry I have to name my file with the name, key, bpm, collaborators and route notes of the composition. Just cutting one part out to make it shorter isn’t an option.


The facts that you can’t even change the size of the box in the console is just shocking to me. And not changing it, because it looks better or in other words doesn’t look like windows is ridiculous to me. Thought apple is about being easy to use.

Jul 23, 2022 05:02 AM in response to prodbyarctic

Hello Fabian,


I'm sorry to say, that Save As dialog box is not adjustable. You may wish to submit feedback to Apple in regards to having an adjustable Save As box.


That being said, you may be able to find a free file viewer/explorer app on the App Store that has increased functionality and/or suits your needs to rename files easier.


Product Feedback - Apple > MacOS (selecting the Operating System will ensure your feedback gets delivered to the correct team).


Jul 23, 2022 06:28 AM in response to prodbyarctic

As you have likely discovered with long filenames in the Save/Save As panel, the visible filename field size is static, but one can continue to enter content and it will be clipped on the left of the filename field. So you can (unadvisedly) enter a sentence for a filename before saving. The fact that you can expand the filename column in the Finder List view has nothing to do with that AppKit Framework's NSSavePanel Class implementation that hundreds of Apple and third-party applications use.


Dialabrain has provided useful advice about shorter filenames, and I would not expect Apple to change something that is in such wide application usage.




Jul 30, 2022 05:16 AM in response to prodbyarctic

prodbyarctic wrote:

In the music industry I have to name my file with the name, key, bpm, collaborators and route notes of the composition. Just cutting one part out to make it shorter isn’t an option.

You have to? This is a requirement for your membership? Do they conduct audits?


In the computer industry, what you are describing is a "composite key" and is considered a Bad Thing. Suppose you didn't have complete information and your collaborators or notes were wrong? Then you have to change the file name. But what if you have directly referenced the file name elsewhere? Then you have to track down every use of that file name and change it there too.


What all of those parts are is "metadata" about your file. Even the name of the file is technically metadata. The filesystem uses an "inode" to refer to your file and then looks up the inode based on the text name that you provide when accessing it. Databases will do something similar. The name of a record will be something like "119BD0A2-74AF-442D-B136-AF14D5FA30A6". That value is unique and never has to change. Other systems can save this reference and always refer back to the same thing. But you can supply a more meaningful name, or maybe multiple names, notes, collaborators, literally anything you want. And everything is cross-referenced. You have a collaborator and you want to know what they've worked on? That's easy to do.


It sounds like you have gone beyond basic file management needs. The save dialog simply isn't designed for that. It is doing what it is designed. It may be as small as it is to annoy you on purpose and to push you towards a different way to organize your data.


I suggest you look for some 3rd party document database or organizer apps like DEVONThink, FileMaker Pro, or OmniFocus. While searching for alternatives to these that might be more appropriate for your use, I found this podcast by someone who seems to do similar work where they talk about both DEVONThink and OmniFocus. I don't use these apps myself, but I'm going to look into OmniFocus more closely. I think I really should be using something like this.

Jul 23, 2022 06:22 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanks, though I can't change the length of my file names. I compose and need to include the title, my composer name, key of the piece, beat per minute and collaborators. So there is really nothing I can do to shorten it.


I just sent a request to the apple product feedback and hope they can impliment it in one of their next updates. I would appreciate it if you could send a request too, so the apple team gets to notice it.

Product Feedback - Apple

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I expand the save as dialog box?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.