How to prevent Finder column view from automatically shifting left when selecting a folder?

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Level 1

11 points

How to prevent Finder column view from automatically shifting left when selecting a folder?

When in a finder window, when in column view, need to stop the column from automatically shifting to the left when I select a folder. This oftens takes the folder out of view. When I scroll down the vertical lists of folders, his is really disruptive to work flow.

Stretching the finder window horizontally is a real space hog solution.

Resizing the columns so this doesn't happen on each folder wastes time and space.

I want to see the horizontal pathway across the columns at all times while I scroll down the list of folders.

I'm not done viewing the vertical list of folders and as I scroll down, I have to move the view to the left every time I select a folder.

Using Alt while adjusting the columns to one size doesn't let me see the complete titles when trying to avoid the folder auto moving to the left.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.7

Posted on Jul 7, 2025 1:29 PM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

68,264 points

Jul 8, 2025 9:23 AM in response to ZoomnWheels

I don't think you can change that behavior with column view, it is how it operates. Have you considered using List View instead?

If you enable "Show Path Bar" from the Finder's "View" menu, then you can use that path bar to help with navigating back up the directory tree while in List view.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,264 points

Jul 9, 2025 8:55 AM in response to ZoomnWheels

ZoomnWheels wrote:

- Tried List View in the past. The pathway isn't visually immediate. A lot of clicking on folders as well as clicking to choose from a menu.

Unless you have very long folder names and/or deep folder structures, I've never had a problem with List view & showing the path bar....see the following screenshot:

- Path Bar - I've used this by pressing Ctrl and clicking on the title at the top. Still visually circuitous. I have taken a picture of this list occasionally since it doesn't sustain while in another application while needing the list.

I forgot about this option. Seems like it would be the best option if you have long folder names and/or deep folder structure. Same goes for those pesky open/save interfaces that are more limited....adding a folder to the Finder's sidebar can help minimize some navigation issues.

Otherwise you will need to see if there are any third party "file explorer" apps which would things as you prefer.

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Answer 3

Jul 14, 2025 6:54 AM in response to ZoomnWheels

ZoomnWheels wrote:

I appreciate the thought.

I remember the days when the pathway was staggered at the bottom of the Finder window. The pathway was visible the moment you selected the folder.

It still is, you just have to select

View->Show Path Bar...

once (or press Command-Option-P).

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Answer 4

ZoomnWheels Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 8, 2025 4:13 PM in response to HWTech

Hi HWTech.

Thank You for your suggestions; A couple of thoughts.

- Tried List View in the past. The pathway isn't visually immediate. A lot of clicking on folders as well as clicking to choose from a menu.

- Path Bar - I've used this by pressing Ctrl and clicking on the title at the top. Still visually circuitous. I have taken a picture of this list occasionally since it doesn't sustain while in another application while needing the list.

- If I stretch out the Finder window to show all the columns, which hogs screen space, I can immediately see the pathway via grey highlights. That takes one click move and glance, which is faster than the rest. I think I'll fix my second screen and let it's space be hogged by the Finder and see everything at a glance. Faster.

- The day they adopted double click and dropped direct click by location on the screen, I grieved. There was a day when the application was activated when you were over that application screen and you could click directly onto a box or over text without that annoying (to me) extra click. Whatever the programmers reasons are, double clicking slows everything down. This includes using the Finder in it's current form.

Sincerely,

ZoomnWheels

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Answer 5

ZoomnWheels Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 11, 2025 9:25 AM in response to HWTech

I appreciate the thought.

I remember the days when the pathway was staggered at the bottom of the Finder window. The pathway was visible the moment you selected the folder.

I do have deep nested folders with long names. Thus the desire to see a folder's path at a glance without any clicking or "let's help you" visually moving right out from under my view. In my opinion, these days, the programmers are designing things for "click happy" users and even to cater to addictive behaviour rather than efficiency. In any case....

Do you know which third party apps, that are reliable and safe, might have the pathway immediately at a glance?

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Answer 6

HWTech

Level 9

68,264 points

Jul 12, 2025 8:06 PM in response to ZoomnWheels

ZoomnWheels wrote:

Do you know which third party apps, that are reliable and safe, might have the pathway immediately at a glance?

I'm sorry, I don't know which app(s) may have such a feature. While I've never cared for the Finder behavior either, I never reached the point where I felt like searching for third party options.

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