How to Open and Collapse All Folders on Mac?

macos tips
1

I deal with a lot of data and would very much like to have a shortcut allowing me to expand and collapse all folders and subfolders on Mac. This way, I can navigate and visualize nested folders easily when working with a large number of folders, instead of manually opening or closing each one. If you can, please instruct me to open all folders at once and to open selected folders only. I’d also want to learn how to set the default view for all folders. Thx in advance!

2

Here’s how to open and collapse all folders on Mac:

Keystrokes for opening all folders at once on Mac:

Press Command-A to select all files, then use the right arrow to expand all folders and subfolders.

Keystrokes for collapsing all folders on Mac:

Press Command-A to select all files, then use the left arrow to collapse all folders and subfolders.

If you want to open all selected folders on Mac, instead of all folders, you can choose the folders first and then press the right arrow to expand the selected folders and the left arrow to collapse them.

  • To select multiple adjacent files, click the first file, then hold down the Shift key and click the last file in the range you intend to choose.
  • To select non-adjacent files, hold down Command and click on the file you want.

Hope this helps!

3

Here’s another simple way to open all the folders within a directory on Mac: Select the folder in question, press the Option key, then tap the right arrow. To close all open folders on Mac, just use Option + the left arrow.

4

Thank you so much! I now know how to view all folders on Mac. Could you please tell me how to set default view for all folders in Finder?

5

Good to know! This is very helpful! thx

6

Sure! One thing I forgot to mention, you must be in List view to expand or close the folders. If there is grouping or the folders are in a different view mode, like Icons, the keystrokes won’t work.

To switch to list view, open the folder and click the View button in the toolbar, then choose List view. After that, you can open all selected folders in List view with the right arrow.

As for setting the default view for all folders, take these steps:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Click View > Show View Options.
  3. Customize your view settings.
  4. Tap “Use as Defaults.”