Whether you need to organize a messy folder, move a batch of photos, or delete a group of documents, knowing the right way to select is crucial. This guide will show you the quickest way to select multiple files, from the universal select all command to more nuanced methods for picking just the files you want.
We’ll cover everything from using a simple keyboard shortcut in the finder to mastering the click and drag method, ensuring you can manage the files on your mac with total confidence and speed.
01
of 07Quick Comparison: The 4 Best Ways to Select All Files on Mac
For those who need a quick answer, here’s a summary table comparing the most effective methods to select files on your macOS device.
| Method | Best For | How to Do It | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select All | Selecting every single item in a folder or document. | Press the keys simultaneously. | Command (⌘) + A |
| Click and Drag | Visually selecting a group of files that are clustered together. | Click on an empty space and drag a box over the items. | N/A (Mouse/Trackpad) |
| Shift-Click | Selecting a continuous list of adjacent files or items. | Click the first file, hold shift, and click the last file. | Shift |
| Command-Click | Selecting multiple specific, non-adjacent files (“cherry-picking”). | Hold command and click on each file you want. | Command (⌘) |
02
of 07The Universal Shortcut: How to Select Multiple Files on Mac Instantly
Let’s start with the most powerful and well-known method: how to select all on mac. This is your go-to move when you need to grab every single item within a window or document.
It’s the easiest way to select everything without any fuss.
To select all the files in a folder, simply open the folder in the finder and press the keyboard shortcut Command (⌘) + A. You’ll see every file and folder instantly highlight, indicating they are selected and ready for your next action—be it copying, moving, or deleting.
This shortcut is a massive time-saver and one of the first things every Mac user should learn.
This command isn’t just for files in a folder; its utility extends across macos. In a text document, Command + A will select all the text.
In the Photos app, it will select all photos on mac within an album. This universal functionality makes it an indispensable tool for anyone looking to be more efficient on their MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.
03
of 07Mastering the Click and Drag to Select Files on Macbook
For more visual users, the click and drag method is an intuitive way to select a group of files that are physically located next to each other in a folder. This technique is especially useful in icon view, where your files are spread out like items on a desktop.
To perform this, simply click your mouse or trackpad on an empty space near the files you want to select. Then, while holding the click, drag the cursor over the items.
You’ll see a translucent box form, and any file it touches will become selected. It’s a satisfying and easy way to select multiple files without ever touching the keyboard.
Be mindful of where you start your drag. If you accidentally click on a file instead of an empty space and drag, you might move it instead of starting a selection.
The key is to find that empty patch of white and begin your drag from there to create the selection box.
04
of 07How to Select Multiple Adjacent Files with a Simple Trick
What if you don’t need all the files, just a specific, continuous block of them? This is where the shift key becomes your best friend.
This method allows you to select multiple adjacent files in a list without needing to click and drag.
Here’s how to select a range of adjacent files: first, click on a file—this will be the start of your selection. Now, scroll down to the last item you want in your group, hold the shift key, and click on that last file.
Voilà! The first file, the last file, and every single file in between are now selected.
This technique is incredibly efficient in List View or Column View in the finder, where files are neatly ordered. It’s the perfect way to select, say, files numbered 15 through 45 in a large folder, or all the photos taken on a specific day from a long list.
You simply select the first file, hold shift, and then select the last file in the sequence.
05
of 07The Art of Cherry-Picking: Select Multiple Non-Adjacent Files
Often, you’ll need to select a handful of specific files that aren’t next to each other. You might want files A, D, and F, but not B, C, or E.
This is where you learn how to select multiple non-adjacent files using the command key.
To do this, hold down the command key on your keyboard. While holding it, simply click on the files you want to select, one by one.
You can click on files scattered all around a folder, and each one will be added to your selection group. This method gives you the ultimate control to individually select the exact files you want to select.
Furthermore, the command key is also your tool to deselect. If you’ve already selected a group of files using another method (like Shift-Click or click and drag to select), you can hold the command key and click on any selected file to remove it from the group.
This ability to add or remove files from your selection makes it an incredibly flexible and powerful technique.
06
of 07A Pro’s Workflow: Combining Techniques for Maximum Efficiency
Now, let’s bring it all together. The true power comes from knowing how to combine these methods.
For instance, you might need to select almost every file in a large folder, except for two or three. The slowest way to select them would be to Command-Click every single file you want.
The fastest way? Combine the shortcuts.
First, press Command + A to select everything in the folder. Then, hold down the command key and simply click on the few files you don’t want.
This will deselect them, leaving you with the exact selection you needed in just a few clicks. This is a perfect example of how to know how to select files efficiently on macos.
As someone who works with large batches of media files daily, this is a technique I use constantly. When I was recently sorting through hundreds of photos from a shoot on my macbook pro, I needed to archive all the RAW files but leave the final JPEG edits.
I opened the folder, hit Command + A to select all files, then held the command key and clicked on the few JPEGs to remove a few files from your selection. The whole process took about five seconds.
In my field test, this combination of shortcuts is undeniably the quickest way to select a large, specific subset of files.
07
of 07Beyond the Basics: Other Ways to Select on Your Mac
While the four methods above will cover 99% of your needs, there are a couple of other ways to select files on your mac that are worth knowing. They offer a different approach that might fit certain workflows better.
One alternative is using the menu bar. In the finder (or most mac apps), you can click on the edit menu at the top of your screen.
In the dropdown, you will almost always find a “Select All” option. Clicking this performs the exact same function as the Command + A keyboard shortcut.
It’s a bit slower, but a good option if you prefer using the keyboard or are still learning the shortcuts.
For advanced users, macos offers a feature called smart folders. This isn’t a direct selection method, but a way to automatically group files based on criteria you set (like files by type, date created, etc.).
By creating a smart folders, you are essentially pre-selecting files that match your rules, which can then be acted upon all at once. It’s an excellent way to select files by type or other attributes without having to manually find them in different folder locations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to select all on my Mac?
To select all files in a folder on your Mac, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command (⌘) + A. This will quickly select all files and everything within the active Finder window, making it easy to manage multiple files on your Mac.
What is the shortcut to select all files in a folder?
The shortcut to select all files in a folder on your Mac is Command (⌘) + A. This keyboard shortcut is effective in any Finder window and will allow you to select all items in that folder.
How can I select multiple files on my Mac?
You can select multiple files on your Mac by holding down the Command (⌘) key while clicking on each file you want to select. If the files are adjacent, you can also hold the Shift key to select the first and last file in the group, selecting all files between them as well.
Can I select all photos in a gallery view on Mac?
Yes, if you’re viewing photos in a gallery view on your Mac, you can select all photos by using the Command (⌘) + A shortcut. This will allow you to select all images in that gallery easily.
What are 4 ways to select files on Mac?
There are several ways to select files on your Mac: 1) Use Command (⌘) + A to select all files. 2) Hold the Command (⌘) key and click on individual files to select them. 3) Click on the first file, hold Shift, and click on the last file to select a group of files. 4) Drag your mouse over the files you want to include in your selection.
How do I select a group of files on Mac?
To select a group of files on your Mac, click on the first file, then hold down the Shift key and click on the last file in the group. This will select all files between the first and last, making it easy to manage multiple files quickly.
Is there a way to select files around a specific file?
Yes, you can select files around a specific file by first clicking on the desired file, then holding the Shift key and clicking on the file you want to end with. This will select everything in between, allowing you to easily select adjacent files in your Finder window.
How to select one file without affecting others?
To select one file without affecting others on your Mac, simply click on the file once. If you have previously selected multiple files, hold the Command (⌘) key and click on the already selected file again to deselect it without losing your other selections.
