Mac: Create a smart folder

Here’s a handy Mac tip for organizing your files. It’s called a Smart folder.

A Smart folder will allow you to organize any type of file you like using rules that you set up. For example, you could put all images created within the last week into one file. That file would update continually to only show images added within the past 7 days.

You can choose from a variety of rules are parameters to sort items with. Let me show you how it works.

First, open the Finder.

Then click on File at the top. Select New Smart Folder.

This window will open.

To get started, click the + icon in the upper-right corner.

Start by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Kind.

You can choose between the kind of file, the last opened date, last modified date, created date, name, or contents, or choose Other for additional options.

Depending on your choice, you can select things like dates. Here, I’m selecting PNGs created within the past week. You can go through and check out all of the options yourself.

You can also click the + sign again and add additional rules. For example, you could include only documents created since 2015 that had been opened in 2018. You’ll be able to see the contents as you set the parameters.

When you’re satisfied with the rules, click Save.

Now it’s time to name the folder and choose where to save it. You’ll also have the option of the file displaying in the sidebar of the Finder.

If you choose to have the folder display in the Sidebar, it will be visible with all of your other folders.