How to Organize Photos or Files Into New Folders in the Finder

This shortcut is especially useful for organizing groups of related photographs, especially in icon view (enlarge the images for ease of distinguishing them).

The Apple OS X Finder offers a shortcut to select two or more files and put them into a new folder. This is a very handy way to organize things.

1. Select at least two files and/or folders in any Finder view*.
2. Right click then choose New Folder with Selection.
3. The new folder appears; rename it appropriately by typing**.

Repeat for as many folders as are needed.

For example, as shown below there are six tulip images selected; make the new folder and name it “Tulips”.

* The Finder does not allow the creation of a folder containing a single file, which can be handy for organizing methodically. You’ll have to create a new folder, then drag the file into it.

** Renaming requires a confusing delay should you start typing too soon; the eye-candy animation has to finish its business before a name can be entered for the new folder. Type too soon and the name is ignored (lost), which can be quite confusing.

How to create a new folder containing existing selected files in the Finder