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On a Mac, a folder shortcut is usually called an alias. It opens the original folder from another convenient place, such as your desktop, without moving the folder itself.
What is a folder shortcut on a Mac?
An alias is a Finder reference to an existing item. Apple describes it as “a shortcut to an item on your Mac”; when you open the alias, the original item opens. See Apple’s guide to creating and removing aliases.
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This is useful when you want quick access to one known folder from another location. The alias is not a second copy of the folder, and creating it does not relocate the original.
How to create a folder alias
Use Finder’s Make Alias command
- In Finder, select the folder you want to reach quickly.
- Choose File > Make Alias.
- Move the new alias to the desktop or another convenient location.
Opening that alias takes you to the original folder.
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Create an alias while dragging
Hold Option-Command while dragging the folder to the desktop or another folder. To place an alias inside a new folder, hold the same keys while dragging the item into that folder. Dragging without the keys moves the item; holding Option alone copies it. Apple explains these distinctions in its guide to organizing files in folders.
Put a folder in the Finder sidebar or Dock
For access without keeping an alias on the desktop, drag the folder to the Finder sidebar’s Favorites section or to the Dock. These entries act as aliases to the original folder. Apple’s instructions for customizing the Finder sidebar cover sidebar items.
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- Remove a sidebar entry: Drag it out of the sidebar.
- Remove a Dock entry: Drag it out of the Dock.
Removing either entry removes only that shortcut, not the original folder. To find the original from the sidebar, Control-click the entry and choose Show in Enclosing Folder. From the Dock, Control-click the entry and choose Options > Show in Finder. These steps are listed in Apple’s alias guide.
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Alias or Smart Folder: which should you use?
Use an alias to open one particular folder from another location. A Smart Folder serves a different purpose: it automatically gathers files that match criteria you choose, so its contents can change as matching items change. Apple describes Smart Folders in its guide to quickly seeing items in Finder.
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- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
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- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
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