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#1 2009-11-01 5:53 am
Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
This is a little anomaly that cropped up for me quite some time ago, and I just haven't made the time to look into it. Perhaps you can help?
When I'm in the Finder and do a command+F (i.e., file>>find) search, the results window shows me columns for Name, Kind, and Last Opened. I sure would like to be able to click on the dividing lines between these columns and drag to the right, thus making the Name column wider, so I can read the full names of the files that show up in the search results. Historically, I've always taken this ability for granted, but it went away for some reason.
The computer just acts like those column are a fixed width, and cannot be changed.
If I go under view>>Show view options, I get a view options window saying, "There are no view options for the "Searching this Mac" window. The view options window does contain a little check-box for "always open in list view," though I don't know if that's relevant.
I've looked at the Finder's preferences, and nothing there's jumped out at me.
Is there possibly some preference file or something that I need to trash?
Thank you!
PS: Almost forgot: Intel Mac, OS X 10.5.8.
"It's better to be a pirate than to join the Navy."
--Steve Jobs
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#2 2009-11-01 7:54 am
- Dunkin'
- Mom Bo'
- From: Over the hills and far away
- Registered: 1999-10-15
- Posts: 3300
Re: Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
Try using a different user account.
Just to see if the behavior is tied to your usual account or is system wide.
1/φ = φ-1
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#3 2009-11-01 11:30 am
- D'Eyncourt
- OMGDICTATOR
- Registered: 2001-12-27
- Posts: 8800
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Re: Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
Is there possibly some preference file or something that I need to trash?
Possibly but I have no idea what it might be.
I'll note that on my MBP with 10.6.1 I do not have this limitation--the width of each of the fields in the search window can be user-adjusted.
BOYCOTT SONY
"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992
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#4 2009-11-02 2:11 am
Re: Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
Dunkin' wrote:
Try using a different user account.
Just to see if the behavior is tied to your usual account or is system wide.
OK, this is really weird:
I created a test account, logged into it, and verified that the behavior in question is not, in fact, system-wide. Then I logged back into my regular account, did a search, and discovered that the problem has magically fixed itself!
How odd.
Perhaps something about creating the test account and doing a search in it meant that some system-wide cache or preference file had to be deleted, and my problem was therefore solved, system-wide?
Most curious, but I do thank you!
"It's better to be a pirate than to join the Navy."
--Steve Jobs
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#5 2009-11-02 7:39 am
Re: Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
I spoke too soon! I'm in my main user account, right now, and I see that the problem has returned. Help!
"It's better to be a pirate than to join the Navy."
--Steve Jobs
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#6 2009-11-02 8:56 am
- Jonski
- System Lord
- From: Parts Unknown
- Registered: 2005-02-22
- Posts: 768
Re: Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
A quick double click on the column title (Name, Kind, Last Opened etc.) should enable you to re-size the columns if this happens.
It's definitely an intermittent bug, I get it too (10.5.8).
Edit--> Now here's a weird thing. When you first call up a Find window and it won't let you resize a column; if you click on another open Window (any window) and then click back on the Find window the ability to resize columns returns. Bizarre.
Last edited by Jonski (2009-11-02 9:01 am)
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#7 2009-11-02 6:33 pm
Re: Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
By Jove, you're right! I'd previously tried clicking once on the column titles, but it hadn't occurred to me to double-click on them! Thanx for helping me to again solve my problem!
"It's better to be a pirate than to join the Navy."
--Steve Jobs
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#8 2009-11-03 12:48 pm
- D'Eyncourt
- OMGDICTATOR
- Registered: 2001-12-27
- Posts: 8800
- Website
Re: Why can't I change column widths of "find" results?
I'll note that I require no such machinations to adjust the column widths. I can change them immediately without having to click on the title bar nor having to click on another window before manipulating the Find window.
MBP with 10.6.1.
BOYCOTT SONY
"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992
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