How to create a folder on Mac
Creating a folder on Mac is the simplest way to keep files in order, on the desktop or in Finder. This guide shows the ways to do it, how to put files you’ve already selected into a new folder in one step, how to rename a folder and why Finder sometimes won’t let you create one.
How to create a folder on Mac in Finder
- Click the Finder icon in the Dock and open the folder where the new folder should go.
- Choose File › New Folder, or press Shift-Command-N.
- Type a name for the folder and press Return.
You can also Control-click an empty spot in the window and choose New Folder.
Create a folder on the desktop
- Click an empty spot on the desktop.
- Choose File › New Folder, or press Shift-Command-N.
- Type a name and press Return.
Put selected files into a new folder
- Select the files you want to group, on the desktop or in a Finder window (see how to select multiple files on Mac).
- Control-click one of the selected files and choose New Folder with Selection. The item also shows how many files you selected.
- Type a name for the folder and press Return. The files move into it.
The keyboard shortcut for this is Control-Command-N.
Rename a folder
- Click the folder once to select it, then press Return.
- Type the new name and press Return again.
Why New Folder is dimmed
When New Folder is dimmed, you can’t create a folder in this place. Go to another place, such as your home folder, Documents or the desktop, and try again.
This happens, for example, on an external disk formatted as NTFS (a Mac can only read those) or in a folder you have no permission to change.
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Questions and answers
What is the keyboard shortcut to create a folder on Mac?
Shift-Command-N creates a new folder in the open Finder window or on the desktop. Control-Command-N puts the selected files into a new folder.
How do I create a folder inside another folder?
Open that folder in Finder first, then press Shift-Command-N. The new folder appears inside it.
How do I put a folder in the Dock?
Drag the folder to the right side of the Dock, next to the Trash. Click it there to see its files.