This browser does not support basic Web standards, preventing the display of our site's intended design. May we suggest that you upgrade your browser?

Macintosh

Working with Files

Working with files is an important part of managing documents.

return to topSelecting Multiple Files

For each of the following options, you can work with more than one file at a time. For instance, if you want to delete ten files from your disk, you can delete all ten at the same time. To do this, you must select the files together.

Selecting Contiguous Files

  1. Click in the blank space next to the first file in the series

  2. Hold the mouse button and draw a box around the files you want
    Everything inside the box will be selected.

Contiguous files

Selecting Non-Contiguous Files

  1. Press and hold the [Shift] key

  2. Select each of the files separately

  3. After you have made all your selections, release the [Shift] key  

Noncontiguous files

return to topCopying Files

Copying files is useful when you want a second copy or a backup copy of a file. When making a backup copy, make sure the copy is stored on a different diskette. If the diskette or folder that the original is saved on should develop a problem, you do not want to lose both copies.

To copy files, you can use a method similar to copying text. The process is similar if you are copying files to another location on the hard-drive or between the hard-drive and a floppy diskette. If you are copying files between two floppy diskettes, you will need to copy to the hard-drive first and then copy from the hard-drive to the second floppy diskette.

Copying Files: File Menu

NOTE: Copied files cannot be pasted into existing files (e.g., a Microsoft Word document).

  1. Select the file that you want to copy

  2. From the File menu, select Duplicate
    The copy will appear in the same file as the original with the word copy appearing after the filename.

  3. If necessary, adjust the filename (refer to Renaming Files)

Copying Files: Mouse Drag

  1. Locate the file that you want to copy

  2. Do one of the following:

    1. If new location is on a different drive (e.g., hard-drive to floppy), drag the file to the drive icon

    2. If new location is on the same drive (e.g., hard-drive to another location on hard-drive), hold down the [Option] key and drag the file to the new location

return to topMoving Files

Moving files is useful when you want to rearrange your files to create better file organization.

To move files you can use the drag-and-drop function. The process is similar if you are moving files to the hard-drive or to another floppy diskette.

  1. Locate the file that you want to move

  2. Adjust the Folders/Drive listing so you can see the new location for the file

  3. Do one of the following:

    1. If new location is on a different drive (e.g., hard-drive to floppy), hold down the [Shift] key and drag the file to the new location

    2. If new location is on the same drive (e.g., hard-drive to the desktop or another location on hard-drive), drag the file to the new location

return to topRenaming Files

  1. Click on the name of the file that you want to change the name of
    A box should appear around the filename (as it appears around Newswin in the graphic)

  2. Type the new file name

  3. Press [Enter]
    OR
    Click anywhere else on the screen

Rename File

return to topDeleting Files

Deleting files is an easy way to make space on your diskettes and disk drives. Any file that is no longer needed should be deleted. If you are deleting files from a floppy diskette, you need to make sure you are deleting the correct file. You will see a confirmation dialog box, but you cannot recover the file once it is deleted. If you are deleting files from the hard-drive, they are placed in the Trash and remain there until the Trash is emptied. You can recover files from the Trash.

Deleting Files: File Menu

  1. Select the file that you want to delete

  2. From the File menu, select Move To Trash

Deleting Files: Keyboard Option

  1. Select the file that you want to delete

  2. Press [Cmd] + [Delete]

Deleting Files: Drag & Drop

  1. Select the file to be deleted

  2. Click and drag the file until it is direct over the Trash icon on the desktop

  3. Release the mouse button
    The file should now be located in the Trash.

return to topWorking with Trash Files

Restoring Files

Files that are deleted from the hard-drive are put into the Trash, where they will remain until the Trash is emptied—even if you turn off your computer. The following steps outline what you need to do to restore a file from the Trash. Using this procedure, you may restore files to any location on the hard-drive.

WARNING: Restoring files from the Trash only works for files deleted from the hard-drive, not from a diskette or a server.

  1. On the desktop, double click the TRASH icon

  2. Select the file to be restored

  3. Drag the file to the location where you want it restored

Emptying the Trash

Emptying the Trash frees space on the hard-drive. However, once you delete files from the Trash, you cannot retrieve them again.
WARNING: Emptying the Trash deletes all the items in the Trash. Be sure to remove any files you still need from the Trash before you empty it.

  1. Switch to the Finder

  2. From the Special menu, select Empty Trash...
    A dialog box appears asking if you want to remove the items in the trash permanently.

  3. To empty the Trash, click OK

Excellence. Our Measure. Our Motto. Our Goal.