Greyed out files in file dialog shortly after saving

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Greyed out files in file dialog shortly after saving

Hi! There is an issue that is sometimes really bugging me. I save a file and want to attach it to an e-mail. Oftentimes that last saved file is greyed out when I try to do that and I can’t select it. When I exit the file dialog and try again, the problem is gone and I can select the file. Waiting longer after saving the file has no effect. That has never been a problem until it started to behave like that maybe a year ago, maybe longer, I don’t quite remember.

The most annoying part is that I have to navigate to that file again when I try to attach it to an e-mail the second time. I could probably just drag and drop that file from the finder. But I don’t really want to change my workflow because of some weird and unpredictable behavior.

Any ideas? Am I the only one experiencing this?

Posted on Aug 31, 2023 01:46 AM

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Answer 1

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nicolas66 Author

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10 points

Aug 31, 2023 02:43 AM in response to VikingOSX

I do the following: I save a Word-document in folder x. I go to Mail, create a new mail, write a text. Then I press the attachtment-button. I navigate to the document in folder x that I saved 5 minutes ago. The file is greyed out. I close the dialog. I again press the attachment-button and navigate to that file in folder x. This time the file is no longer greyed out. That is the weird behavior I am talking about. I have no explanation for that and it’s annoying af.

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Answer 2

arby2008

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23 points

Apr 22, 2024 10:58 AM in response to nicolas66

Having the exact same issue and it is driving me nuts. Do you have Default Folder installed? That's my next investigation. I'll disable it and try again. Maybe something else interfering.

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Answer 3

Apr 27, 2024 02:40 AM in response to nicolas66

Hey, April 2024 here and problem is still present. What is Apple doing? Sleeping on their trillions, like Scrooge McDuck?

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Answer 4

bpip9091

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14 points

Jun 15, 2024 01:19 PM in response to mackarone

Same. Would love to see a solution

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Answer 5

nicolas66 Author

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10 points

Aug 31, 2023 05:32 AM in response to VikingOSX

Local drive. And it does not happen consistently. It also happens with other applications, not just word.

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Answer 6

nicolas66 Author

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10 points

Sep 1, 2023 10:07 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Okay, so at least I am not the only one. I hope this issue will be solved in a future update, although it does not seem to be a widespread problem.

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Answer 7

arby2008

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23 points

Apr 22, 2024 11:00 AM in response to arby2008

That did not fix it.

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Answer 8

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,064 points

Aug 31, 2023 05:26 AM in response to nicolas66

Using Word 16.76.1 on Ventura 13.5.1, I cannot reproduce what you describe. I save the Word document to a folder on my Desktop. Open a Mail compose window, click the attachment tool, and the file is immediately selectable and attaches correctly to the compose window.

Are you saving to a folder on your local drive, iCloud Drive, or a third-party cloud location?

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Answer 9

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,064 points

Aug 31, 2023 02:37 AM in response to nicolas66

A Save/Save As… panel does not open files, so they will remain grayed out while that panel is open. It is not a Finder window, but a specialized view provided by a Framework that is intended to look like a Finder interface. Exit the save panel and use the Finder to drag and drop the file onto the Mail compose window, or use the attachment tool on the compose window's tool panel.

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Answer 10

Aug 31, 2023 06:54 AM in response to nicolas66

I often see this problem when answering questions here in Apple discussions forums, in the following way:

I take a screenshot to illustrate something for my reply, annotate with Preview, and Save.

I come here to reply to a question, click the image icon to update, and the recently saved screenshot is greyed out.

Note: navigating out of the folder, and back in, usually fixes it; but it is annoying, indeed.

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Answer 11

Apr 25, 2024 01:33 PM in response to nicolas66

Me too!! I work in the design industry. If I save a PDF for client review and send it at say, like 9AM, then get feedback and save the file again a few minutes later, when I go to attach the updated file to a reply -- BAM -- Grayed Out. ALL THE TIME. Worse now with OS 14.4.1 / Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020 iMac. Frustrating indeed. Any help appreciated. yes - navigating out of the folder using the back button or selecting another folder from history fixes it when you navigate back to the folder containing the updated file. Not ideal!!!

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Greyed out files in file dialog shortly after saving

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