See desktop and select just one application

Hi all,

I've been using a Mac for a few years now, but only recently started noticing this.

Is it possible to view desktop, and then select just one open application without all the others zooming back in again? Sometimes I need to change a file name on the desktop by referring to the document itself.

So I show desktop, and when i selected the opened file by doing alt-tab, the file shows up in front, but all the other open applications come in too and cover my desktop, and I'm unable to see it unless I minimize all the windows.

Is there a way to do this besides editing the file name in a Finder window?

Thanks.

Option Command M

to minimize all windows

and more shortcuts here.

thanks! that was helpful.